2PM ET 05/25/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update — 2PM ET 05/25/2026 Newscast Summary
Host: FOX News Podcasts | Date: May 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on key national and international stories, including President Trump's Memorial Day address, developments in Iran nuclear negotiations, a White House security incident, a chemical leak crisis in California, the upcoming American Music Awards, and a Memorial Day box office roundup.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Memorial Day: President Trump’s Address at Arlington

• Theme: Remembering America’s fallen heroes and contemporary challenges.
• Highlights:
  • President Trump paid tribute to fallen soldiers from 1776 to 2026, calling them “guardian angels” who "hold the line between liberty and tyranny, between civilization and barbarism, between good and evil" [00:21].
  • He referenced the 13 Americans killed during Operation Epic Fury, reaffirming his stance: “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon” [00:29].
  • The president stated ongoing negotiations with Iran are “proceeding nicely,” yet warned: “It will be a great deal for all or no deal at all” [00:29].
• Notable Quote:
  • President Trump: “America has always stood as a great and moral cause.” [00:11]

2. Tensions and Negotiations with Iran

• Update:
  • Despite U.S. optimism, Tehran delivers pessimistic signals, with Iran’s foreign ministry stating their sole focus is ending the conflict [00:53].
  • A possible memorandum of understanding is being discussed, potentially including:
    • Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
    • A 60-day ceasefire extension
    • Future nuclear program talks [01:14]
• Correspondents:
  • Ashley Webster (Fox Business, from Tel Aviv) provides an international perspective on peace talks.

3. White House Security Incident

• Incident:
  • A man opened fire near a security checkpoint; he was killed by Secret Service after injuring a bystander [01:35].
  • The suspect had been previously detained for making threats and entering restricted areas [01:45].
• Correspondents:
  • David Spunt (Washington) reports on the president's proximity and the safety measures in place.
• Notable Quote:
  • David Spunt: "Certainly a scary event for those in and around the White House." [01:35]

4. Orange County Chemical Tank Crisis

• Situation Resolved:
  • A leaking tank at aerospace manufacturer GKN was at risk of explosion, but officials now say the danger has passed [02:05].
  • The crack in the tank allowed pressure to release, and temperatures have dropped from 100°F to 93°F [02:31].
  • 50,000 residents are still under evacuation as shelters reach capacity and new ones are set up [02:31].
  • The chemical is used in the production of acrylic plastics; no timeline for the end of evacuations [02:47].
• Notable Quote:
  • Incident Commander Chief Craig Covey: “The crack is there. We have verified that it’s there. And the tank has released its pressure. Additionally to that, the temperature has been stabilized and actually reducing.” [02:19]

5. 2026 American Music Awards: Artist Recognition

• Highlights:
  • Taylor Swift leads with eight nominations; Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and Somber each have seven [02:59].
  • Queen Latifah hosts; BTS returns to the stage after four years [03:10].
  • Billy Idol will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; Carol G. wins International Artist Award of Excellence; Darius Rucker awarded the Veterans Voice award [03:18].

6. Memorial Day Weekend Box Office

• Report:
  • Ticket sales are down over a third from last year [03:30].
  • ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ leads with $80+ million in the U.S. and Canada [03:36].
  • ‘Obsession’ is in second place with improved performance in its second weekend [03:48].
• Quirky Moment:
  • Lighthearted banter: “Hey, never touch the buttons.” [03:45]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Memorial Day Address & Iran Update: 00:03 – 01:14
• White House Security Incident: 01:35 – 01:45
• Chemical Tank Crisis (Orange County): 02:05 – 02:47
• American Music Awards Preview: 02:59 – 03:30
• Box Office Results: 03:30 – 03:48

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Notable Quotes

• President Trump:
  “America has always stood as a great and moral cause.” [00:11]

  “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon… negotiations are proceeding nicely but it will be a great deal for all or no deal at all.” [00:29]

• Chief Craig Covey (Incident Commander):
  “The crack is there. We have verified that it's there. And the tank has released its pressure. Additionally to that, the temperature has been stabilized and actually reducing.” [02:19]

• David Spunt (FOX News):
  “Certainly a scary event for those in and around the White House.” [01:35]

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Summary:
This news update touches on Memorial Day commemorations, the status of Iran nuclear negotiations, security challenges at the White House, a potentially catastrophic industrial accident in California, major music award announcements, and entertainment industry performance—all reflecting a mix of solemn commemoration, international tension, domestic safety, and cultural celebration.

Transcript

[A]

Never forget. On Lisa Brady, FOX News, that call from the commander in chief during his tribute to the Nation's fallen from 1776

[B]

to 2026, America has always stood as a great and moral cause.

[A]

President Trump calling America's warriors guardian angels

[B]

holding the line between liberty and tyranny, between civilization and barbarism, between good and evil.

[A]

During his Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery. The president also honoring the 13Americans killed during Operation Epic Fury, declaring again that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. This after posting earlier that negotiations are proceeding nicely but that it will be a great deal for all or no deal at all. But a top Iranian official posting no surrender or retreat.

[B]

It does appear that Iran is trying to dampen those hopes that a peace deal can be signed anytime. This despite some very optimistic statements from the Trump administration in recent days. But Tehran painting a much murkier picture, including the country's foreign ministry that says the only focus for them right now is ending the conflict.

[A]

Fox Business Ashley Webster in Tel Aviv. A memorandum of understanding reportedly could include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a 60 day ceasefire extension and future talks on Iran's nuclear program. A bystander recovering from being shot after a gunfight near a White House security check point where a man from Maryland opened fire over the weekend and was killed by the Secret Service.

[C]

President Trump was here at the White House meeting with advisers when those shots rang out on Saturday evening. Certainly a scary event for those in and around the White House.

[A]

Fox's David Spunt in Washington. The suspect had been detained twice last year, accused of making threats and entering a restricted area. America is listening to FOX News. Progress at the scene of a crisis that began days ago south of Los Angeles.

[D]

A damaged chemical tank in Orange County, California, is no longer in danger of exploding, fire officials say, thanks to a crack in the tank holding highly flammable toxic chemicals at aerospace manufacturer gkn.

[C]

The crack is there. We have verified that it's there. And the tank has released its pressure. Additionally to that, the temperature has been stabilized and actually reducing.

[D]

Incident commander Chief Craig Covey saying temperatures drop from 100 degrees to 93. Evacuation orders, though, remain in place for some 50,000 residents. And as shelters reach capacity, officials are scrambling to open new ones. Lillian Wu, FOX News.

[A]

That tank holds a chemical used to make acrylic plastics. There is no word yet on when evacuation orders might be lifted. We found out tonight which fan favorite artists will be honored with awards.

[E]

The Fan voted 2026American music awards will celebrate the year's most iconic music. Taylor Swift leads the nominations with eight, followed by Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and Somber with seven each. Queen Latifah hosts and BTS will make a special appearance. It's their first at an awards show in four years. Billy Idol will receive the lifetime achievement award. Carol G. Will be given the international artist award of excellence. And and Darius Rucker will receive the Veterans Voice award.

[A]

Fox's Tonya J. Powers at the box office this Memorial Day weekend. Not as good as last year so far, down more than a third overall. Studio estimates show Star wars, the Mandalorian and Grogu on top with more than $80 million in U.S. and Canada ticket sales.

[B]

Hey, never touch the buttons.

[A]

In second place, Obsession with a better turnout in its second weekend than its opening weekend. I'm Lisa Brady. This is FOX News.