2PM ET 08/02/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update - 2PM ET | August 2, 2025

Hosted by Jack Callahan and Contributors

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1. Leadership Change at Bureau of Labor Statistics

Timestamp: [00:03] - [00:14]

Jack Callahan opened the newscast with breaking news about the recent leadership shakeup at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). President Trump has dismissed the agency's commissioner, a move that has sparked controversy.

Details:

• The ousted commissioner, a Biden appointee, was accused by President Trump of "cooking the books" related to the labor statistics.
• This decision follows a disappointing July jobs report that showed only 73,000 jobs were added, significantly below market expectations.
• Despite the administration's allegations, many economists argue that the BLS operates under stringent safeguards that make data manipulation nearly impossible.

Quote:

Jack Callahan [00:03]: "The Bureau of Labor Statistics needs a new leader on Jack Callahan, Fox News."

Chanley Painter [00:14]: "President Trump firing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after a disappointing July jobs report... economists say it's impossible to alter jobs data due to strict safeguards."

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2. Implementation of Reciprocal Tariffs and Ongoing Trade Negotiations

Timestamp: [00:34] - [01:17]

The discussion transitioned to the status of U.S. tariffs and the ongoing trade negotiations with major partners.

Details:

• Reciprocal tariffs are now active for most countries, though some exceptions remain.
• Jessica Rosenthal reported that tariff implementations do not signify the end of trade negotiations. For instance, significant trading partners are experiencing a 90-day delay in tariff enforcement due to ongoing talks.
• Mexico remains under tariffs for key products like vehicles, steel, aluminum, and copper.
• Negotiations with China are ongoing, with a focus on preventing product dumping and removing non-trade barriers to allow more U.S. products into the Chinese market.

Quote:

Jameson Greer [01:05]: "We had a very cordial exchange. We feel very confident in that direction."

Jessica Rosenthal [01:17]: "Aside from product dumping, the president also wants to see non-trade barriers lifted and to see more US Products allowed into China."

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3. Senate Negotiations on President Trump's Federal Appointments

Timestamp: [01:27] - [01:59]

The conversation shifted to the Senate's review of President Trump's nominees for various federal positions, including the federal bench, assistant cabinet secretaries, and ambassadors.

Details:

• Oklahoma GOP Senator Mark Wayne Mullen expressed optimism about reaching agreements on these nominations.
• He outlined a three-step strategy to motivate Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, emphasizing the importance of negotiating from a position of strength rather than fear.

Quote:

Mark Wayne Mullen [01:41]: "It's a great point of negotiation for us because we're negotiating from a point of strength, not from a point of weakness. He's negotiating from a point of fear."

Jack Callahan [01:59]: "America is listening to FOX News."

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4. Ongoing Manhunt for Montana Quadruple Murder Suspect

Timestamp: [02:17] - [02:58]

Jack Callahan reported a developing story from Montana, where authorities are still searching for a suspect involved in a quadruple murder.

Details:

• The suspect, Michael Brown, age 45, of Anaconda, remains at large.
• Sheriff Ed Lester provided a detailed description: Brown was last seen driving a 2007 white Ford F150 pickup truck with Montana plates DTY493.
• Brown was also identified wearing a tie-dye shirt, jeans, and an orange bandana.
• Described as 5 foot 10 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair, he is considered extremely dangerous and armed.

Quote:

Ryan Schmelz [02:22]: "Michael Brown... is believed to be extremely dangerous and armed."

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5. Congressional Efforts to Ban Stock Trading by Lawmakers

Timestamp: [02:58] - [03:40]

The update covered legislative efforts aimed at curbing potential conflicts of interest among U.S. lawmakers.

Details:

• Several bipartisan bills have been introduced to prohibit House and Senate members from trading stocks, slated to take effect in 2027.
• Senator Josh Hawley, the sponsor of the Advancing the Honest Act, argued that the bill would also apply to presidents and vice presidents, countering claims that it targets former President Trump.
• Republicans opposing the bill maintain they've consulted with President Trump, ensuring that the legislation is fair and not politically motivated.

Quote:

Josh Hawley [03:07]: "We have had conversations with President Trump."

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6. Shutdown of Public Broadcasting Amidst Defunding

Timestamp: [03:40] - [04:13]

Jack Callahan reported on the impending shutdown of Public Broadcasting due to congressional defunding.

Details:

• The shutdown will result in most employees losing their jobs by the end of September.
• President Trump has been a vocal critic of public media, accusing it of disseminating political and cultural narratives that conflict with American values.
• Additionally, a significant development in Washington, D.C., involves the approval of a stadium deal aimed at bringing the Washington Commanders back to the district by redeveloping the old RFK stadium site.

Quote:

Jack Callahan [04:13]: "I'm Jack Callahan and this is Fox News."

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7. Featured Shows and Podcasts

Several segments promoted upcoming shows and podcasts, including:

• The Will Kane Show: Live at noon Eastern, Monday through Thursday on foxnews.com or the Fox News YouTube channel.
• Bret Baer Podcast: Featuring in-depth talks with lawmakers and favorite panelists, available at foxnewspodcasts.com.

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Conclusion: The August 2, 2025, edition of the Fox News Hourly Update provided a comprehensive overview of significant national issues, including political appointments, economic policies, legislative reforms, and public safety concerns. The hosts and contributors offered insightful commentary, enriched with firsthand quotes and detailed reporting, ensuring listeners remain well-informed on the latest developments.

Transcript

[Jack Callahan]

The Bureau of Labor Statistics needs a new leader on Jack Callahan, Fox News. The agency's commissioner fired yesterday, accused by the president of cooking the books. As Fox's Chanley Painter explains.

[Chanley Painter]

President Trump firing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after a disappointing July jobs report. It shows only 73 house and new jobs were added last month, well below expectations. Trump accused commissioner a Biden appointee of manipulating the number for political gain. But economists say it's impossible to alter jobs data due to strict safeguards.

[Jack Callahan]

Critics of the president's decision defended the ousted commissioner's competency. Reciprocal tariffs are now in place for most countries, with a few exceptions. As Fox's Jessica Rosenthal reports August 1st.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Tariff implementations do not mean an end to negotiations. For example, one of our largest trading partners gets a 90 day delay due to ongoing talks, though Mexico will still have a tariff on vehicle, steel, aluminum and copper. And of course, talks with China are ongoing. US Trade Representative Jameson Greer told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo the goal is not for each country to engage in a tit for tat leverage war.

[Jameson Greer]

Listen, I just got back from talking with them in Stockholm and it was a very cordial exchange. We had a great conversation with the Chinese. We talked more about how to make sure critical minerals are flowing. We feel very confident in that direction.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

But he said aside from product dumping, the president also wants to see non trade barriers lifted and to see more US Products allowed into China. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News, the Senate is.

[Jack Callahan]

Reviewing a number of President Trump's nominees for the federal bench, assistant cabinet secretaries and ambassadors. Oklahoma's GOP Senator Mark Wayne Mullen telling Fox News Live he believes the deal can be reached using three steps to motivate Senate Minority Leader Schumer.

[Mark Wayne Mullen]

It's a great point of negotiation for us because we're negotiating from a point of strength, not from a point of weakness. He's negotiating from a point of fear.

[Jack Callahan]

The three steps include securing a deal everybody can agree on, considering a recess and changing the Senate's rules. America is listening to FOX News.

[Will Kane]

It's the Will Kane Show. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday on foxnews.com or or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss a show. Get the podcast five days a week at fox newspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

[Jack Callahan]

Suspect in a quadruple murder in Montana is still on the run as police.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Have said they are still looking for the suspect. His name, Michael Brown, age 45, of Anaconda. Sheriff Ed Lester of Butte Silverbow offered a description of Brown and he said that Brown was seen last driving in a 2007 white Ford F150 pickup truck. It's got Montana plates DTY493. And he was also identified by the Granite County Sheriff's Office as wearing a tie, dye shirt and jeans and an orange bandana. So this suspect is still at large. He's described as being 5 foot 10, 170 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair and is believed to be extremely dangerous and armed.

[Jack Callahan]

That's DJ Power of Fox affiliate ktmf. Congress is looking to ban lawmakers from trading in stocks Fox's Ryan Schmelz reports.

[Josh Hawley]

Several bipartisan bills have been introduced by different members of Congress. A Senate committee Advancing the Honest act, which would ban House and Senate members from trading stocks starting in 2027. Some Republicans pushed back, saying it would target President Trump. But the bill's sponsor, GOP Senator Josh Hawley, says while the ban does extend to presidents and vice presidents, it wouldn't take until the next administration is in office. Both Hawley and Republicans opposed to the bill say they've had conversations with President Trump. In Washington, Ryan Schmell's Fox News Corporation.

[Jack Callahan]

For Public Broadcasting is shutting down after being defunded by Congress, telling most of its employees they'll lose their jobs at the end of September. President Trump has been a consistent critic of public media, arguing that it spreads political and cultural views which he says clash with those which the United States should be espousing. The council in Washington, D.C. has voted Friday to advance a stadium deal that would bring the Washington commanders back to the District by redeveloping the old RFK stadium site. I'm Jack Callahan and this is Fox News.

[Will Kane]

Listen to the all new Bret Baer podcast featuring Common Ground in depth talks with lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle, along with all your Bret Bear favorites like his All Star panel and much more. Available [e-mail] or wherever you get your podcasts.