2PM ET 07/23/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update — 2PM ET 07/23/2026 Newscast

Date: July 23, 2026
Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News Podcasts

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Episode Overview

This concise broadcast provides listeners with the latest developments in U.S. foreign policy, escalating military actions in the Middle East, a major legal outcome in Minnesota, new US-Saudi nuclear talks, potential changes to energy policy tied to AI, and the ongoing debate over popular health supplements. The tone is urgent and factual, reflecting the rapidly evolving news cycle.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Escalation with Iran and US Military Movements

• The U.S. is significantly increasing its military presence and assets in the Middle East in response to ongoing conflict with Iran.
• There are growing indications that the war could escalate imminently.

“There are indications the war with Iran could escalate in the coming days.”
— Jeff Minasso [00:07]

• The Wall Street Journal reports: U.S. military surging equipment, medics, and special forces to give President Trump “more options” in the region.
• The U.S. has conducted 12 consecutive nights of airstrikes targeting both Iranian positions near the Strait of Hormuz and deeper inside Iran, aiming to degrade Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping.

“President Trump on Wednesday warned Iran directly, saying the United States would target one bridge or power plant anytime Iran shoots at a ship in the strait.”
— Jeff Minasso [00:20]

• President Trump also issued warnings to Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, promising further retaliation for attacks on ships in other critical waterways.
• Iran remains publicly defiant and is issuing counter-threats.

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2. Secret Service Investigation

• A member of the vice president's Secret Service detail is under investigation over allegations related to a suspected news leak, with the possibility of a criminal probe.

“This follows a recent report that some agents had privately expressed frustration over last minute travel requests from Vice President Vance and his family.”
— Lisa Brady [00:48]

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3. Sentencing in High-Profile Minnesota Attack

• Vance Belter has been sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years for the 2025 killings of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, among others in a string of targeted attacks.

• Belter pled guilty in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.

“In one of many victim impact statements, Senator Hoffman saying: ‘He looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger. He looked at my wife and pulled the trigger again. Deliberate decisions to end our lives.’”
— Senator John Hoffman [01:38]

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4. US–Saudi Nuclear Deal Developments

• The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have reached a new civilian nuclear deal, with strict conditions:
  • No use for military purposes
  • No uranium enrichment domestically
  • Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords.

“President Trump linked Saudi Arabia establishing diplomatic ties with Israel as part of a civilian nuclear development agreement announced earlier this week.”
— Jared Halpern [02:26]

• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed ongoing discussions, noting this linkage is not new.
• Saudi Arabia reiterates that joining the Abraham Accords is contingent on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

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5. Energy, AI, and Consumer Costs

• President Trump is scheduled to make an announcement at EPA headquarters regarding efforts to prevent AI-related energy costs from raising consumer electric bills.
• The rising energy demands of new data centers are fueling public pushback across the country.

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6. FDA Scrutinizes Peptide Supplements

• The FDA is convening a two-day advisory session to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of seven peptides, substances proponents say aid with opioid addiction recovery and migraines.

“Many scientists are not certain the benefits outweigh the risks. … Critics say the manufactured doses, at times higher than the body produces, can cause harm.”
— Health Correspondent [03:26]

• Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has publicly endorsed peptide use.

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7. Financial Markets Update

• The Dow is down 616 points as oil briefly surpasses $93 per barrel.

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Memorable Quotes

• “There are indications the war with Iran could escalate in the coming days.” — Jeff Minaso [00:07]
• “President Trump on Wednesday warned Iran directly, saying the United States would target one bridge or power plant anytime Iran shoots at a ship in the strait.” — Jeff Minaso [00:20]
• “He looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger. He looked at my wife and pulled the trigger again. Deliberate decisions to end our lives.” — Senator John Hoffman [01:38]
• “President Trump linked Saudi Arabia establishing diplomatic ties with Israel as part of a civilian nuclear development agreement announced earlier this week.” — Jared Halpern [02:26]
• “Many scientists are not certain the benefits outweigh the risks. … Critics say the manufactured doses, at times higher than the body produces, can cause harm.” — Health Correspondent [03:26]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iran-U.S. Military Escalation and Presidential Threats: [00:03–00:48]
• Secret Service Investigation: [00:48–01:08]
• Minnesota Lawmaker Attack Sentencing and Impact Statements: [01:22–01:56]
• US–Saudi Nuclear Deal and Abraham Accords: [02:16–03:05]
• AI, Energy, and Data Centers' Impact: [03:05–03:26]
• FDA Peptide Hearings: [03:26–04:03]
• Market Update (Dow and Oil): [04:03–end]

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Summary

This Fox News newscast delivers a succinct but comprehensive snapshot of urgent national and international events: a volatile Middle East with the potential for U.S.–Iran escalation, a consequential criminal sentencing, evolving U.S. diplomatic initiatives, debates over AI's impact on consumer energy costs, and the reassessment of popular health supplements. Listeners are kept informed with clear attributions, memorable testimony, and policy implications, making the update valuable for anyone tracking current affairs.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

More US Assets are on the move on Lisa Brady, Fox News.

[Jeff Minasso]

There are indications the war with Iran could escalate in the coming days.

[Lisa Brady]

Foxes trade yinxed in Tel Aviv. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the US Military is surging equipment, medics and special forces to the region, giving President Trump more options.

[Jeff Minasso]

This does follow the 12th straight night of US strikes against Iran. They have expanded the target list, not just going after positions near to the Strait of Hormuz, but also deeper inside of Iranian terror territory. According to centcom, the recent strikes have focused on degrading Iran's ability to threaten vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Remember, President Trump on Wednesday warned Iran directly, saying the United States would target one bridge or power plant anytime Iran shoots at a ship in the street.

[Lisa Brady]

The president also warning the Iran backed Houthis in Yemen that both they and Iran will face more punishment if more ships are attacked in another critical waterway. Iran remains publicly defiant, making counter threats. The Secret Service says a member of the vice president's security detail is is being investigated over allegations tied to a suspected news leak, with a criminal probe not being ruled out. This follows a recent report that some agents had privately expressed frustration over last minute travel requests from Vice President Vance and his family. Sentencing day for the man who attacked state lawmakers and their spouses in Minnesota,

[Reporter or Correspondent]

killing two people Vance Belter sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years in prison in the 2025 killings of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at their Twin Cities home and the shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home in a string of attacks that targeted other lawmakers. He pled guilty in a deal to avoid the death penalty. In one of many victim impact statements, Senator Hoffman saying he looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger. He looked at my wife and pulled the trigger again. Deliberate decisions to end our lives.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jeff Minasso America is listening to Fox News.

[Commercial Announcer]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FN Radio 2020% discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21. Order to order Please drink responsibly. Responsibly.

[Lisa Brady]

A new nuclear deal between the US And Saudi Arabia has several strings attached, including no military use or uranium enrichment, and the Saudis would have to join the Abraham Accords.

[Jared Halpern]

President Trump linked Saudi Arabia establishing diplomatic ties with Israel as part of a civilian nuclear development agreement announced earlier this week. White House press secretary Caroline Levitt says the president's social media post should not come as a surprise. The president has spoken directly with the Saudis about this in numerous conversations in the past, and the administration will continue to engage in those conversations. The Abraham Accords were established during President Trump's first term, expanding the number of Arab and Muslim majority nations, opening up diplomatic ties with Israel. Saudi Arabia has said joining would only come with the establishment of a Palestinian state. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox

[Lisa Brady]

News President Trump set to speak at EPA headquarters, expected to announce that more utilities, data center developers and others are pledging to keep AI related costs from impacting consumers. Electric bills. Rising energy costs are part of what's fueling a pushback against data centers across the country. A popular supplement under scrutiny at the Food and Drug Administration, FDA advisors will

[Health Correspondent]

meet through Friday to look into the safety and effectiveness of peptides, amino acids that can aid in health and healing. Seven will be considered during the two day session, mainly because many scientists are not certain the benefits outweigh the risks. People who support their use claim the substances already present in the body can help with recovery from opioid addiction and migraines. Critics say the manufactured doses, at times higher than the body produces, can cause harm. Health and Human Services secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. Has called himself a fan of peptide use.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Granal Scott, the Dow's now down 616 points as oil shoots over $93 a barrel. And Lisa Brady, FOX News.