2PM ET 05/22/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 2PM ET, May 22, 2026

Main Theme:
A concise roundup of breaking national and international news—highlighting major political developments in Washington, updates on Iran and global security, health alerts at home and abroad, and financial markets.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Cabinet Shakeup: Tulsi Gabbard Resignation

[00:02 – 00:34]

• Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard resigns, effective June 30.

  • Reason: Her husband's diagnosis with aggressive bone cancer; described as a personal decision.
  • Anchor: “A Trump cabinet member is stepping down... The director of national intelligence is leaving for personal reasons.”
  • Correspondent: “Tulsi Gabbard is resigning, effective June 30 because of her husband's recent diagnosis of an aggressive form of bone cancer.”

• Gabbard's Transition:

  • Continues all duties through June 30.
  • Had an Oval Office meeting with President Trump before submitting resignation.
  • She’s the fourth cabinet member to leave during Trump’s second term.
  • Anchor: “Gabbard calling her husband Abraham her rock, submitting her resignation letter earlier today...”

• President Trump’s Response:

  • Praises Gabbard’s work: "She's done an incredible job and will be missed." (Paraphrased)
  • Posts about her departure on social media.

2. Trump Personal News & Iran Warnings

[00:34 – 01:13]

• Trump Will Not Attend Don Jr.’s Wedding:

  • President Trump publicly states he cannot attend, citing “circumstances pertaining to government and his love for the country.”
  • Anchor: "The president also just confirming he will not attend his son Don Jr.'s wedding, believed to be happening this weekend..."

• U.S.-Iran Tensions:

  • Trump renews warnings of potential military strikes if a deal with Iran is not reached regarding nuclear tensions.

3. Fed Chair Swearing-In & Independence

[01:13 – 01:19]

• Kevin Warsh sworn in as Federal Reserve Chair at the White House.

  • Trump tells Warsh: “Don't look at me. Don't look at anybody. Just do your own thing and do a great job, okay?” (President Trump, [01:13])
  • Implies wish for Fed independence despite prior public pressure on outgoing Chair Jerome Powell.

• Warsh’s Mandate:

  • Emphasizes independence, resolve, and learning from past mistakes/successes.

4. Sports Tragedy: NASCAR’s Kyle Busch

[01:19 – 01:44]

• 911 Call Details:
  • Reveals Busch had trouble breathing, coughed up blood before collapsing after a race simulator session.
  • Correspondent (911 transcript): “Is he awake? He is awake. He's awake. He's. He's on the bathroom floor right now.” ([01:38])
  • Busch died at age 41; cause undetermined.

5. International Update: Iran & U.S. Military Movements

[02:30 – 03:15]

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
  • Reports "slight progress" in peace talks with Iran, but warns of the need for “plan B” if Iran blocks shipping in Strait of Hormuz.
  • Rubio: “We have to start thinking about what do we do if a few weeks from now Iran decides... we're going to keep the straits closed, we're going to sink any ship that doesn't listen to us or doesn't pay us, then someone's going to have to do something about it.” ([02:42])
  • Notes upcoming adjustments to U.S. troop levels in coordination with NATO/foreign partners (specifically referencing recent deployment reversals to Poland and troop withdrawals from Germany).
  • Rubio: “It's been done in coordination with our allies. I'm not saying they're going to be thrilled about it, but they certainly are aware of it.” ([03:02])

6. Global Health Watch

[03:15 – 03:38]

• Congo Ebola Outbreak:

  • WHO considers risk in Congo as "very high" with over 700 suspected cases, over 170 deaths.
  • Global spread risk remains “low.”

• European STI Surge:

  • European CDC reports “STI explosion” – 303% rise in gonorrhea, more than doubling of syphilis cases since 2015.
  • Giancallosi: “Spain ranks as Europe's hotspot with more than 37,000 gonorrhea cases and more than 11 and a half thousand syphilis infections in 2024.”
  • Contributing factors: decreased testing, lack of condom use.

7. Financial Markets

[04:15]

• Stock Market Rally:
  • Dow up 431 points, in record territory (above 50,700).
  • S&P and Nasdaq also reporting gains.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Tulsi Gabbard’s Resignation:

  • “Tulsi Gabbard is resigning, effective June 30 because of her husband's recent diagnosis of an aggressive form of bone cancer.” (Fox News Correspondent, 00:11)
  • “Gabbard calling her husband Abraham her rock, submitting her resignation letter earlier today.” (Anchor, 00:34)

• President Trump to New Fed Chair:

  • “Don't look at me. Don't look at anybody. Just do your own thing and do a great job, okay?” (President Trump, 01:13)

• Secretary Rubio on Iran Tensions:

  • “We have to start thinking about what do we do if a few weeks from now Iran decides... we're going to keep the straits closed, we're going to sink any ship that doesn't listen to us or doesn't pay us, then someone's going to have to do something about it.” (Marco Rubio, 02:42)

• On STI Epidemic in Europe:

  • “The European CDC said the continent is in the grips of an STI explosion not seen in over a decade...” (Giancallosi, 03:38)

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Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:02 — Tulsi Gabbard announces resignation as Director of National Intelligence
• 00:34 — President Trump’s reaction and personal news about Don Jr.’s wedding
• 01:13 — Kevin Warsh sworn in as Fed Chair; Trump’s comments on independence
• 01:38 — Details on Kyle Busch’s 911 call and passing
• 02:30 — Secretary Rubio’s Iran negotiations update; troop movements in Europe
• 03:15 — Ebola outbreak update in Congo; European STI warning
• 04:15 — Stock market numbers

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This episode provides a rapid-fire summary of major developments—sharp, factual, and with direct quotes from key political figures—keeping listeners up-to-date on top U.S. and world stories.

Transcript

[Fox News Anchor]

This is a FOX News alert. A Trump cabinet member is stepping down on Lisa Brady, the director of national intelligence is leaving for personal reasons.

[Fox News Correspondent]

Tulsi Gabbard is resigning, effective June 30 because of her husband's recent diagnosis of an aggressive form of bone cancer.

[Fox News Anchor]

Fox's David Sponge.

[Fox News Correspondent]

He will continue serving in the role of the director of national intelligence, overseeing the CIA, National Security Council, other agencies, but will leave June 30 because of this tragic news.

[Fox News Anchor]

Gabbard calling her husband Abraham her rock, submitting her resignation letter earlier today. Fox News digital reporting. She had an Oval Office meeting with the president. Gabbard is the fourth cabinet member to leave in the second Trump term. President Trump just posting. She's done an incredible job and will be missed. The president also just confirming he will not attend his son Don Jr. S wedding, believed to be happening this weekend. The president posting circumstances pertaining to government and his love for the country do not allow him to do so. This after renewed warnings he could resume strikes on Iran if a deal isn't reached. He did host a White House swearing in ceremony for new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, telling him he wants him to be independent.

[Fox News Correspondent]

Don't look at me. Don't look at anybody. Just do your own thing and do a great job, okay?

[Fox News Anchor]

This despite his public pressure on now former chairman Jerome Powell over interest rates. Walsh citing a need for independence and resolve at the Fed, but also to learn from past successes and mistakes. The 911 call that sent Kyle Busch to the hospital reveals the NASCAR legend was having trouble breathing and coughing up blood.

[Fox News Correspondent]

Is he awake? He is awake. He's awake. He's. He's on the bathroom floor right now.

[Fox News Anchor]

That call, obtained by tmz, was on Wednesday when Bush collapsed after using a race simulator. He died yesterday, just 41 years old. No official word yet on the cause of death. America is listening to Fox News.

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[Fox News Anchor]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reporting slight progress in peace talks with Iran.

[Fox News Reporter]

The secretary says there's been a little movement toward a deal with Iran, but there needs to be a plan B if Iran refuses to let shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

[Secretary Marco Rubio]

We have to start thinking about what do we do if a few weeks from now Iran decides we don't care, we're going to keep the straits closed, we're going to sink any ship that doesn't listen to us or doesn't pay us, then someone's going to have to do something about it.

[Fox News Reporter]

Secretary Rubio in Sweden after meeting with NATO nation foreign minister says there are going to be adjustments to how many and where US Troops are stationed in their countries.

[Secretary Marco Rubio]

And it's been done in coordination with our allies. I'm not saying they're going to be thrilled about it, but they certainly are aware of it.

[Fox News Reporter]

President Trump reversed the cancellation of a troop deployment to Poland. He announced earlier this month the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany. Chris Foster, Fox News.

[Fox News Anchor]

The risk of Ebola is now considered very high in Congo, an epicenter of the current outbreak. The World Health Organization announcing its upgraded assessment after more than 700 suspected cases and more than 170 suspected deaths. But they're still saying the global risk of spread remains low. For anyone planning a European getaway this summer, there's a new warning about a spike in sexually transmitted infections.

[Giancallosi]

The European CDC said the continent is in the grips of an STI explosion not seen in over a decade, with cases of gonorrhea and syphilis skyrocketing to unprecedented levels. Gonorrhea cases across Europe increased a staggering 303% since 2015, while syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period, the BBC reports. Spain ranks as Europe's hotspot with more than 37,000 gonorrhea cases and more than 11 and a half thousand syphilis infections in 2024. Health officials are blaming widening gaps in testing and a lack of condom use for the surge. Giancallosi, Fox News, Wall street's rallying.

[Fox News Anchor]

The Dow's up 431 points, still in record territory right now, topping 50,700. The S&P and the Nasdaq. Also in the green, Alisa Brady, FOX News.