2PM ET 07/06/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET 07/06/2026 – Episode Summary

Main Theme:
This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of key national and international news, focusing on the FIFA World Cup controversy involving the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team, major legal developments, NATO defense spending, a significant diplomatic visit to Syria, the latest Musk/Twitter lawsuit update, and record-breaking activity on Wall Street.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FIFA World Cup Controversy: Belgium’s Appeal on US Striker Rejected

• [00:03–01:10]
  • Belgium’s protest over the reinstatement of US striker Flo Balogun’s red card is dismissed as “inadmissible” by FIFA.
  • Belgium is not considered a party to the appeal; thus, their challenge lacks standing.
  • Balogun, previously given a controversial red card during the US win over Bosnia Herzegovina, remains eligible for selection in the crucial game against Belgium.
  • The Belgian federation insists it will contest Balogun’s eligibility if he plays.
  • President Trump openly supports the US team and the FIFA review, remarking on the fairness of the call reversal.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “That means...Flo Baligun is available for selection if, of course, head coach Mauricio Pochettino decides to put him in the team, given everything that he and the entire US Team has been through.”
    — Jonathan Hunt [00:25]
  • President Trump on the incident: “Two people ran into each other. And by the way, if you look at that game, there were 10 instances where it was much rougher than that.”
    — President Trump, reported by Jonathan Hunt [01:04]
  • “The FIFA president says judicial bodies for the sport made the decision on reversing the red card independently and autonomously.”
    — Lisa Brady [01:10]

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2. Charlie Kirk Case: Preliminary Hearing Begins

• [01:30–01:50]
  • High-profile hearing as Charlie Kirk’s family faces his accused assassin, Tyler Robinson, in court.
  • Prosecution presents law enforcement testimony and video evidence featuring Robinson’s romantic partner, who allegedly describes Robinson’s confession.
  • Defense plans to counter the prosecution case with witnesses disputing ballistics and DNA evidence.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Prosecutors are bringing several members of law enforcement to the stand in Tyler Robinson's preliminary hearing. And they will play video of an interview law enforcement conducted with Robinson's romantic partner, in which prosecutors say he shares details about Robinson's confession.”
    — Jessica Rosenthal [01:30]

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3. NATO Military Spending: Push for Accountability

• [02:31–03:14]
  • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte calls for member nations to provide specific plans on how they will meet defense spending commitments made at the previous summit.
  • Rutte stresses that European allies and Canada are now working to match US spending and take on more leadership within the alliance.
  • President Trump is set to attend the NATO summit and has repeatedly criticized countries not investing enough in defense, threatening non-intervention.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Secretary General Mark Rutte expects clear, concrete and credible plans. European allies and Canada are now on a trajectory to equalize the defence spending with the United States. And not just that, they are taking on more leadership. President Trump arrives for the summit tomorrow.”
    — Jonathan Savage [02:58]

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4. Historic Visit: French President in Syria

• [03:14–03:31]
  • For the first time since the Assad regime’s ouster in 2024, a major Western leader—France’s president—visits Syria.
  • The trip is seen as a landmark step in Western engagement with Syria's new government.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The French president just arriving in Syria, becoming the first major Western leader to visit the war torn country under its new leadership following the ouster of the Assad regime in 2024.”
    — Lisa Brady [03:14]

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5. Elon Musk/Twitter Investors Lawsuit Update

• [03:31–04:04]
  • Federal judge rejects Elon Musk’s bid to overturn a ruling that he defrauded Twitter investors and also denies efforts to decertify the class-action status of the lawsuit.
  • Musk was previously found liable for trying to devalue Twitter’s stock in order to leverage his $44B takeover bid.
  • Plaintiffs’ lawyers estimate damages up to $2.5 billion.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “U.S. district Judge Charles Breyer, in addition to rejecting the dismissal motion, also rejected Musk's attorney's attempt to revoke the investor's legal right as a group to sue.”
    — Gerdaul Scott [03:31]
  • “Lawyers for the plaintiffs believe damages as a result of the March jury decision could be up to two and a half billion dollars.”
    — Gerdaul Scott [03:47]

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6. Markets: Dow Hits Record High

• [04:04–04:29]
  • Dow Jones breaks the 53,000 mark for the first time.
  • At the time of broadcast, Dow remains up 48 points, S&P is also in the green, and Nasdaq is the largest gainer, climbing back above 26,000.
  • US oil prices remain under $69/barrel.
• Notable Quote:
  • “A record day on Wall street with the Dow hitting 53k for the first time earlier. Right now, the Dow up 48 points. The S and P also in the green. The Nasdaq the biggest gainer up to 50, back over 26k as US oil prices remain under $69 a barrel, at least.”
    — Lisa Brady [04:04]

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Memorable Moments

• Trump’s intervention in the World Cup controversy and vigorous, colloquial defense of the US player’s eligibility [01:04].
• The French president’s “first in a generation” diplomatic visit to Syria, signaling potential policy shifts in Western interactions in the region [03:14].
• The Musk investor lawsuit moving toward a potentially massive settlement, confirming the legal consequences of his Twitter acquisition maneuvers [03:31].

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps and Attribution)

• “That means...Flo Baligun is available for selection if, of course, head coach Mauricio Pochettino decides to put him in the team, given everything that he and the entire US Team has been through.” — Jonathan Hunt [00:25]
• “Two people ran into each other. And by the way, if you look at that game, there were 10 instances where it was much rougher than that.” — President Trump, reported by Jonathan Hunt [01:04]
• “Secretary General Mark Rutte expects clear, concrete and credible plans. European allies and Canada are now on a trajectory to equalize the defence spending with the United States. And not just that, they are taking on more leadership.” — Jonathan Savage [02:58]
• “Lawyers for the plaintiffs believe damages as a result of the March jury decision could be up to two and a half billion dollars.” — Gerdaul Scott [03:47]
• “The French president just arriving in Syria, becoming the first major Western leader to visit the war torn country under its new leadership following the ouster of the Assad regime in 2024.” — Lisa Brady [03:14]
• “A record day on Wall street with the Dow hitting 53k for the first time earlier.” — Lisa Brady [04:04]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:03] — FIFA/Beligum vs. US Team World Cup controversy
• [01:30] — Charlie Kirk case hearing
• [02:31] — NATO defense spending demands
• [03:14] — French President in Syria
• [03:31] — Elon Musk/Twitter lawsuit update
• [04:04] — Stock market record

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For listeners: This concise, high-impact update covers top global news and critical legal, political, and economic developments, punctuated by direct reporting and notable quotes from political leaders and correspondents.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

An appeal is rejected on Lisa Brady, FOX News. Belgium losing its protest over a red card reversal ahead of tonight's World cup

[Jonathan Hunt]

match with the US we heard directly from FIFA. They have ruled Belgium's appeal against the reinstatement of Flo Baligun for tonight's critical game as inadmissible. They say that Belgium was not a party to this process and therefore has no standing for that appeal. That means the bottom line, Flo Baligun is available for selection if, of course, head coach Mauricio Pochettino decides to put him in the team, given everything that he and the entire US Team has been through.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jonathan Hunt in Seattle. The Belgian soccer federation telling Fox it's given the U.S. soccer Federation notice it will contest Belligan's eligibility if he is listed to play. The striker was given a controversial red card during last week's win over Bosnia Herzegovina. President Trump telling reporters earlier today, wrong.

[Jonathan Hunt]

Two people ran into each other. And by the way, if you look at that game, there were 10 instances where it was much rougher than that.

[Lisa Brady]

The president defending a call he made to the FIFA president asking for a review. The FIFA president says judicial bodies for the sport made the decision on reversing the red card independently and autonomously. Charlie Kirk's parents and widow are in the same courtroom with his accused assassin for the first time as a hearing begins on probable cause for trial.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Prosecutors are bringing several members of law enforcement to the stand in Tyler Robinson's preliminary hearing. And they will play video of an interview law enforcement conducted with Robinson's romantic partner, in which prosecutors say he shares details about Robinson's confession. Robinson's defense team plans to call witnesses to refute state evidence relating to ballistics and DNA.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jessica Rosenthal. That hearing is expected to last all week. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Lisa Brady]

The head of NATO says allies need to show exactly how they'll meet their promises on military spending.

[Jonathan Savage]

Last year's NATO summit saw members agree to President Trump's demand that they spend more on their own defense this year. The organization's leader wants to see the detail. Secretary General Mark Rutte expects clear, concrete and credible plans. European allies and Canada are now on a trajectory to equalize the defence spending with the United States. And not just that, they are taking on more leadership. President Trump arrives for the summit tomorrow. He's repeatedly criticized allies over defence spending, threatening not to help defend NATO members which don't invest enough. In Ankara, Turkey, Jonathan Savage, Fox News.

[Lisa Brady]

The French president just arriving in Syria, becoming the first major Western leader to visit the war torn country under its new leadership following the ouster of the Assad regime in 2024. Elon Musk's bid to overturn a decision that he defrauded Twitter investors is rejected by a federal judge.

[Gerdaul Scott]

U.S. district Judge Charles Breyer, in addition to rejecting the dismissal motion, also rejected Musk's attorney's attempt to revoke the investor's legal right as a group to sue. Musk was found liable in March of attempting to devalue Twitter's stock prices, which gave him the option to renegotiate his $44 billion takeover of the social media platform or back out of the deal. Lawyers for the plaintiffs believe damages as a result of the March jury decision could be up to two and a half billion dollars. Gerdaul Scott, FOX NEWS.

[Lisa Brady]

There's been no word of any immediate response from Musk's lawyers. A record day on Wall street with the Dow hitting 53k for the first time earlier right now, the Dow up 48 points. The S and P also in the green. The Nasdaq the biggest gainer up to 50, back over 26k as US oil prices remain under $69 a barrel, at least. To Brady, FOX News.

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