2AM ET 07/28/2026 Newscast

Summary

FOX News Hourly Update
2AM ET 07/28/2026 Newscast
Host: Sue Guzman
Date: July 28, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a fast-paced rundown of key political and national stories as of July 28, 2026. Major topics include protests ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit, newly released personal diaries from Dr. Anthony Fauci, legal developments concerning former FBI Director James Comey, President Trump’s efforts to end the Senate filibuster, updates on US-Iran relations, and the advancement of Jay Clayton’s nomination for Director of National Intelligence.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Protests Ahead of Netanyahu’s White House Visit (00:02)

• Demonstrations in Washington, D.C.: Protesters gather to object to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit and policies, with slogans like “Free Gaza” and “Expose Israel’s Control of Washington.”
• Meeting Focus: Netanyahu will meet with President Trump and present evidence alleging Iran’s expansion of activities at its Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site, claiming Iran is not negotiating nuclear matters in good faith.
• Current Status with Iran: The US reports no exchange of attacks with Iran over the past three days, suggesting a temporary pause in escalation.
• Upcoming Media Appearance: President Trump announced as a guest on “Fox and Friends” Tuesday, 8:30am ET, to discuss Iran and a forthcoming meeting with Ukraine’s President Zelensky.

“A lot of the protesters with signs reading from Free Gaza and expose Israel's control of Washington.” – Sue Guzman (00:13)

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2. The Fauci Diaries Released (01:09)

• Highlights from Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Personal Writings: Kentucky Senator Rand Paul releases excerpts, shedding light on Fauci’s private views during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Lab Leak Debate & Viral Origins:
  • In January 2020, Fauci wrote that the Wuhan wet market acted as an "amplifier" but not the original source for the virus, theorizing a zoonotic (animal-to-human) jump elsewhere.
  • Quote: "He also writes this January 2020 now we know the market, the wet market in Wuhan was not the source, it was the amplifier." – Mark Meredith (01:13)
• Relationship with Trump:
  • Fauci notes the fluctuating nature, referencing public calls for his firing: "The far right is tweeting to fire me. The president even retweeted the tweet that said to fire me. We'll see how the day goes." – Mark Meredith (01:28)
• Personal Touches:
  • In May 2020, Fauci records receiving two packages of cookies from Joe and Jill Biden with a note: "You are our hero. Stay strong and healthy. We need you." – Mark Meredith (01:40)
• Reflections on Media Attention: Fauci expresses both amusement and surprise at the intense public and media scrutiny he faced.

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3. Legal Update: James Comey Indictment (02:23)

• Comey’s Defense Moves to Dismiss Charges: Lawyers argue that his Instagram post — a photo spelling out “8647 86” (interpreted as “kill 47”–President Trump, 47th President) — is protected political speech.
  • Charges: Two counts including threats to the president and transmitting an interstate threat.
  • Upcoming Legal Milestones: DOJ deadline to respond is August 18; trial expected in October.

“The defense team arguing to a federal judge that the case against him should be thrown out, saying the photo is protected political speech.” – Jeff Manasso (02:39)

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4. President Trump’s Economic Messaging & Legislative Push (03:07)

• Michigan Trip: President Trump campaigns in Michigan to emphasize his economic plan before primary season.
• Push to End the Filibuster: Trump urges Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Republicans to pass the “Save America Act” or end the filibuster, warning of political consequences if they do not.
  • Quote: “If they don't get it done, it's going to be a very bad thing for the party.” – Unnamed Trump Supporter/Commentator (03:41)
  • Warnings from critics that Democrats could exploit a rule change if they regain control.

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5. Update on US-Iran Relations (03:44)

• Negotiations with Iran: Trump claims “very friendly negotiations” are ongoing after threatening repercussions for American deaths attributed to Iran.
  • Notably, “over the past three nights, there have been no US airstrikes.” – Lucas Tomlinson (03:49)
• Trump’s Warning: If diplomatic efforts fail, the US will resume “strong military action.”

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6. Jay Clayton’s Nomination for DNI (04:02)

• Senate Progress: The Senate moves Jay Clayton one step closer to becoming Director of National Intelligence.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fauci’s Diaries and Presidential Tension:
  • “The president even retweeted the tweet that said to fire me. We'll see how the day goes.” – Mark Meredith quoting Fauci (01:28)
• On Biden’s Personal Support to Fauci:
  • “Received two packages of cookies from Joe and Jill Biden with the note, you are our hero. Stay strong and healthy. We need you.” – Mark Meredith (01:40)
• On Trump’s Filibuster Warning:
  • “If they don't get it done, it's going to be a very bad thing for the party.” – Trump supporter/commentator (03:41)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Netanyahu Protest Coverage & Iran Tensions: 00:02–01:09
• Fauci Diaries & COVID-19 Reflections: 01:09–01:47
• James Comey Case Update: 02:23–03:07
• Trump’s Economic Message & Filibuster Push: 03:07–03:41
• US-Iran Negotiations Status: 03:44–03:57
• Jay Clayton DNI Nomination Update: 03:57–04:20

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This episode provides a concise, news-driven overview of major Washington events, legal developments, and ongoing international negotiations, capturing the rapid pace and political tensions of late July 2026.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Protests ahead of an Israeli leader's visit. I'm Sue Guzman. Fox News. Demonstrators gathering in Washington, D.C. monday night to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is going to visit the White House and meet with President Trump among, among other things, the conflict against Iran. A lot of the protesters with signs reading from Free Gaza and expose Israel's control of Washington. Netanyahu's visit comes as the US has not had any exchange of attacks with Iran for the past three days. During his meeting with President Trump, he's reportedly planning to present evidence that Iran is expanding activities at its Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site and not negotiating in good faith over its nuclear program. President Trump will be a guest on Fox and friends Tuesday, 8:30am Eastern to to discuss the latest developments with Iran and upcoming meetings with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. Also, it is the Fauci diaries that have been released by Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul. The personal writings of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Here's Fox's Mark Meredith Fauci has long

[Mark Meredith]

said publicly he does not believe the virus was the result of a lab leak. But in his diary he also writes this January 2020 now we know the market, the wet market in Wuhan was not the source, it was the amplifier. Having said that, somewhere that virus jumped from animals to human. Fauci also details the very hot and cold relationship he had with President Trump also in April 2020. He goes the far right is tweeting to fire me. The president even retweeted the tweet that said to fire me. We'll see how the day goes a month later, May 2020, he writes, received two packages of cookies from Joe and Jill Biden with the note, you are our hero. Stay strong and healthy. We need you.

[Sue Guzman]

In the diary post's release, the former NIAID director also expressed amusement at his heightened media attention. In those diaries, America's Listen Fox News

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[Sue Guzman]

Attorneys for former FBI Director James Comey are asking a federal judge to dismiss charges that he threatened the president.

[Jeff Manasso]

James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury in April on two counts including knowingly and willfully making a threat to harm or take the life of the president and transmitting an interstate threat stemming from his Instagram post featuring a photo of seashells on a beach spelling out 8647 86, a term for kill 47. The president, his defense team arguing to a federal judge that the case against him should be thrown out, saying the photo is protected political speech. The justice department has until August 18th to respond. The case is set for trial in October. Jeff Manasso, Fox News.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump spending his Monday in Michigan focusing on his economic message ahead of next week's primaries. Here's fox's Lucas Tomlinson.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

President Trump reiterating his call to end the filibuster, posting a warning to the Republican Senate. Majority Leader John Thune should not allow the United States Senate to leave town until it passes the Save America act or far better still, terminates the filibuster, where Republicans can then quickly pass everything they ever dreamed of. Critics warn Democrats will be able to do the same thing if they win back the majority in Congress this fall. The president undeterred.

[Unnamed Trump Supporter/Commentator]

If they don't get it done, it's going to be a very bad thing for the party.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

The president also provided an update on Iran.

[Unnamed Trump Supporter/Commentator]

Right now they have very friendly negotiations

[Lucas Tomlinson]

going on after President Trump vowed Iran would pay for killing American soldiers. Over the past three nights, there have been no U.S. airstrikes.

[Sue Guzman]

And on talks with Iran, the president says if they don't work out, the US Will go back to strong military action. And President Trump's pick to run the nation's intelligence agencies is now a step closer to clinching the job. The Senate advancing Jay Clayton through a key hurdle Monday night to be the next director of national Intelligence. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

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