Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET, July 16, 2025
Release Date: July 16, 2025
1. President Trump Labels Epstein Investigation a Hoax
Speaker: Lisa Brady, FOX News
Timestamp: [00:02 - 00:35]
Fox News begins the update with President Donald Trump dismissing the closure of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation as a fabricated scheme. When questioned by Republican lawmakers and conservative influencers seeking more transparency, Trump outright rejects the legitimacy of the investigation.
- Jared Halpern reports that Republican officials are demanding additional information regarding the Epstein case closure.
- President Trump asserts, “It's all been a big hoax. It's perpetrated by the Democrats and some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into this net. And so they try and do the Democrats’ work.” [00:24]
Trump further criticizes the Justice Department's decision to withhold further documents or a client list, labeling the ongoing criticism as mere distractions from his administration's achievements.
2. Vice President J.D. Vance Advocates for Trump’s Economic Policies
Speaker: J.D. Vance
Timestamp: [00:48 - 01:09]
In a Pennsylvania speech, Vice President J.D. Vance staunchly defends President Trump's economic agenda, highlighting recent tax cuts and tariffs aimed at protecting American jobs.
- J.D. Vance emphasizes, “You're working in the United States of America. We just gave you a big fat tax break. But if you're going to ship American jobs overseas, thanks to Donald Trump, you're going to pay a big fat tariff. It's time to invest in our own country and our own people once again. And we're doing it.” [00:53]
Vance counters Democratic criticisms of the tax and spending initiatives by portraying them as beneficial measures that bolster the American economy and workforce.
3. President Trump Urges Federal Reserve to Lower Interest Rates
Speaker: Donald Trump
Timestamp: [01:09 - 01:18]
Continuing the economic discourse, President Trump addresses the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies, advocating for reductions to alleviate financial burdens on Americans.
- Donald Trump states, “It's costing us a lot of money and we fight through it. It's almost the country has become so successful that it doesn't have a big impact, but it does hurt. Wanting to get a mortgage.” [01:18]
Despite advocating for lower rates, Trump denies reports of intentions to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. He criticizes the Fed's cautious approach amid his administration's implementation of tariffs and points out cost overruns in the Fed's headquarters renovation.
- Trump dismisses the notion of firing Powell, labeling such criticisms as unfounded attempts to derail his policies.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren accuses Republicans of using the Fed’s renovation expenses as a pretext to undermine Powell's leadership. In response, Powell has reportedly requested a review of the project by the Fed’s inspector general.
4. Federal Charges in Louisiana Visa Fraud Scheme
Speaker: Gernall Scott, FOX News
Timestamp: [02:31 - 03:20]
A significant legal development unfolds in Louisiana, where five individuals, including current and former police officers, have been charged with visa fraud related to immigration.
- Gernall Scott outlines the case: "A federal probe revealed the defendants allegedly ran a scheme where police reports were faked and sold to keep illegal immigrants in the country.” [02:38]
The accused are accused of conspiring to secure U visas for undocumented immigrants by fabricating crime victim or witness statuses. The investigation spans from late 2015 until the recent arrests, encompassing 62 counts including bribery and money laundering.
- Louisiana U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook noted, “These visas are normally authorized by Congress.” [03:01]
The defendants are charged with exploiting the U visa program to benefit illegal immigrants, undermining the integrity of immigration laws.
5. Investigation Into Senator Adam Schiff’s Mortgage Applications
Speaker: Jared Halpern, FOX News
Timestamp: [03:20 - 04:10]
Federal investigators have initiated a probe into allegations that Senator Adam Schiff, a prominent Democrat and former impeachment manager against Trump, engaged in mortgage fraud.
- Jared Halpern reports, “Fannie Mae, the US Government owned enterprise that buys up mortgages, has now officially asked an inspector general to look at as many as five mortgages taken out by California Senator Adam Schiff.” [03:28]
The focus is on mortgage applications for properties in California and Maryland, where Schiff claims residency in Maryland while serving in Congress. This is significant as the U.S. Constitution mandates that members of Congress reside in the states they represent.
- Senator Schiff defends himself, stating, “These allegations are a baseless attempt at political retribution.” [04:10]
Fox News correspondent Evan Brown adds that this investigation aims to scrutinize Schiff's residency claims and the legitimacy of his mortgage applications.
6. Stock Market Update
Speaker: Lisa Brady, FOX News
Timestamp: [04:10 - 04:29]
The financial markets show positive movements with major indices advancing.
- Lisa Brady reports, “Stocks are higher right now. The Dow's up 137 points. The S and P also in the green. The Nasdaq in record territory.” [04:10]
This uptick in the stock market indicates investor confidence amid ongoing political and economic developments.
Conclusion
The July 16, 2025, edition of the Fox News Hourly Update covered a range of significant topics, including President Trump's dismissal of the Epstein investigation, Vice President Vance's defense of Trump's economic policies, scrutiny of the Federal Reserve's interest rate strategies, major legal charges in a Louisiana visa fraud case, and an investigation into Senator Adam Schiff's mortgage dealings. Additionally, the stock market showed notable gains, reflecting a dynamic economic landscape. This comprehensive update provides listeners with detailed insights into the current political and economic climate.