2PM ET 07/26/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update - 2PM ET 07/26/2025

Release Date: July 26, 2025

The latest episode of the Fox News Hourly Update, hosted by Jack Callaghan, delivers an in-depth analysis of current events both domestically and internationally. This summary highlights the key topics discussed, featuring pertinent quotes and timestamps to provide a comprehensive overview for those who haven’t tuned in.

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1. US-EU Trade Negotiations

Reporters: Jack Callaghan & Jackie Heinrich

The episode begins with a focus on the President’s ongoing trade discussions with the European Union, taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland.

• President's Outlook: As he departed the White House, the President expressed uncertainty about reaching a trade agreement with the EU, estimating the likelihood at "about 50/50 or maybe less" ([00:14] Jackie Heinrich). However, he remains cautiously optimistic, drawing parallels to previous negotiations with Japan where "they kept making concessions and they were able to work something out" ([00:14] Jackie Heinrich).

• Potential Tariffs: The President announced the possibility of imposing a 30% tariff on EU imports starting August 1st if no deal is reached ([00:14] Jackie Heinrich). In response, the EU has indicated readiness to retaliate with similar tariffs on over $100 billion worth of US goods, including bourbon, soybeans, and airplanes.

• Upcoming Talks: A crucial meeting is scheduled for tomorrow between the President and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to negotiate the terms further ([00:52] Jack Callaghan).

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2. Legal Proceedings Involving Ghislaine Maxwell

Reporters: Jack Callaghan, David Marcus, & Kristin Goodwin

The update delves into the legal struggles surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell, focusing on her recent court appearances and the defense’s stance.

• Attorney’s Statement: Maxwell's attorney, David Marcus, highlighted perceived injustices, stating, "She has been treated unfairly for the past five years. She didn't get a fair trial" ([01:12] David Marcus). He also mentioned ongoing appeals to the Supreme Court, with a reply to the cert petition expected on Monday ([01:12] David Marcus).

• Presidential Pardon Speculation: Marcus suggested that Maxwell might be seeking a presidential pardon or commutation. When questioned, President Trump responded, "It's something I have not thought about" ([01:25] David Marcus; [01:34] Kristin Goodwin).

• Current Status: Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence in Tallahassee for her role in aiding Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities, including trafficking and abusing underage girls ([01:36] David Marcus).

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3. Trump Administration’s Legal Setbacks on Sanctuary Policies

Reporter: Carmen Roberts

The episode covers a significant court decision unfavorable to the Trump administration’s initiatives against sanctuary cities.

• Court Decision: A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago, ruling that the government "lacked standing to override local laws" that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement ([02:37] Carmen Roberts).

• Broader Implications: The administration is extending its legal efforts by suing New York City over similar sanctuary policies, although previous attempts have faced hurdles ([02:32] Jack Callaghan; [02:37] Carmen Roberts).

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4. FAA Investigation into Southwest Airlines Incident

Reporter: Madeline Rivera

An alarming incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight prompted an FAA investigation, raising concerns about aviation safety.

• Incident Overview: Shortly after takeoff from Burbank Airport, a Southwest flight reported encountering another aircraft, leading the pilot to drop altitude from approximately 14,000 feet to 13,500 feet within a minute, causing passenger distress ([03:17] Madeline Rivera).

• Aircraft Involved: Data suggests a Hawker Hunter jet, a British fighter plane, was in close proximity, prompting the evasive maneuver ([03:17] Madeline Rivera).

• Airline Response: A Southwest spokesperson clarified that the crew was responding to "two traffic alerts that required them to climb and descend" ([03:17] Madeline Rivera).

• Aftermath: The aircraft landed safely in Las Vegas, with two flight attendants treated for minor injuries ([03:53] Jack Callaghan).

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5. Israel-Hamas Conflict Updates

Host: Jack Callaghan

The update provides the latest on the tense situation between Israel and Hamas, highlighting recent violence and stalled peace talks.

• Casualties Reported: Israeli airstrikes and gunfire resulted in at least 25 deaths overnight, as reported by Palestinian health officials and the local ambulance service under Hamas control ([03:53] Jack Callaghan).

• Israeli Military Action: The Israeli army stated that it targeted one location in response to a "threat cease fire" ([03:53] Jack Callaghan).

• Stalled Negotiations: Talks between Israel and Hamas remain at a standstill, exacerbated by the US and Israel recalling their negotiating teams from key crossings on Thursday ([03:53] Jack Callaghan).

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Per the summary guidelines, advertisements such as the Ryan Reynolds promotion for Mint Mobile have been excluded to maintain focus on substantive content.

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Conclusion

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update comprehensively covers significant developments in international trade negotiations, high-profile legal cases, governmental legal challenges, aviation safety incidents, and ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts. The inclusion of direct quotes and precise timestamps ensures that listeners can reference specific segments for more detailed information.

Transcript

[Jack Callaghan]

Holding EU trade talks. I'm Jack Callaghan, Fox News. He's in Scotland preparing for economic discussions with some of the EU leaders traveling with the president. Fox's Jackie Heinrich reports from Edinburgh.

[Jackie Heinrich]

The president said as he was leaving the White House the chances of a trade deal with the EU are about 5050 or maybe less. But he also suggested that's not quite as dim as it sounds, explained, explaining that he would have put Japan's chances at a deal at about 25%, but they kept making concessions and they were able to work something out. He confirmed that he will be meeting with the president of the EU Commission if no deal is reached. The president said he will impose 30% tariffs on EU imports on August 1st. If it comes to that, the EU is ready to retaliate with 30% tariffs and more than $100 billion worth of US goods, including bourbon, soybeans and airplanes.

[Jack Callaghan]

The president and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, plan to hold talks tomorrow. The deputy attorney general questioning convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, former Jeffrey Epstein associate, for a second day yesterday.

[David Marcus]

Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney David Marcus, speaking after another three hours of questions from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Friday.

[Todd Blanche]

She has been treated unfairly for the past five years. She didn't get a fair trial. We're still appealing to the Supreme Court. We're going to be filing a reply in the Supreme Court on her cert petition on Monday saying the truth will.

[David Marcus]

Come out and suggesting Maxwell is hoping for a presidential pardon or commutation of her sentence. President Trump responding to questions about this Friday I'm allowed to do it, but.

[Kristin Goodwin]

It'S something I have not thought about.

[David Marcus]

Maxwell is serving a 20 year prison sentence in Tallahassee for her role in helping late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein traffic and abuse underage girls. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News.

[Jack Callaghan]

President Trump posting on social media. Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to immediately meet and try to work out a ceasefire after three days of fighting.

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[Jack Callaghan]

The Trump administration loses another court decision Fox's Carmen Roberts reports.

[Carmen Roberts]

A federal judge dismisses the Trump administration's lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago over sanctuary policies that the government has said interfere with Federal Immigration Enforcement. U.S. district Judge Lindsey Jenkins said the government lacked standing to override local laws that limit cooperation and information sharing between law enforcement. The Trump administration is also suing New York City over its sanctuary policies. Carmen Roberts, Fox News the FAA is.

[Jack Callaghan]

Investigating after a Southwest Airlines plane reportedly dropped hundreds of feet to avoid a mid air collision yesterday. Fox is Madeline Rivera with details.

[Madeline Rivera]

It happened shortly after the plane took off from Burbank Airport yesterday afternoon. The FAA says a Southwest Airlines flight was responding to an alert about another aircraft within its vicinity. Data from Flight Radar 24 indicates a hawker Hunter jet was in the same airspace when this happened. A Hawker Hunter is a British fighter plane. Per flight radar, the Southwest plane dropped from around 14,000ft to about 13,500ft within a minute, sending passengers screaming. A Southwest spokesperson says the crew was responding to two traffic alerts that required them to climb and descend.

[Jack Callaghan]

Two flight attendants were treated for minor injuries after the plane landed at its destination in Las Vegas without further incident. Israeli airstrikes and gunfire reportedly killed at least 25 people overnight into Saturday morning, according to Palestinian health officials and the local ambulance service, both of which are controlled by Hamas. Israel's army said it opened fire at one location in response to a threat cease fire. Talks between Israel and Hamas were at a standstill after the US And Israel recalled their negotiating teams from those crossings on Thursday.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Hey, I'm Trey Gowdy, host of the Trey Gowdy Podcast. I hope you will join me every Tuesday and Thursday as we navigate life together and hopefully find ourselves a little bit better on the other side.

[Jack Callaghan]

Listen and follow [e-mail] gum.