3AM ET 02/20/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 02/20/2026

Host: Chris Di Mail (Fox News Podcasts)
Date: February 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers the latest headlines as of 3AM ET, February 20, 2026. The broadcast includes coverage of President Trump's rally in Georgia, recent statements on tariffs and aliens, notable pop culture news, U.S. achievements at the Winter Olympics, severe weather in Indiana, an ongoing partial government shutdown affecting Homeland Security, and brief economic updates.

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Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. President Trump’s Georgia Rally and Economic Remarks

[00:02–00:52]

• President Trump visited Rome, Georgia, including a local restaurant and a steel plant, before addressing supporters at a rally.
• Main topics:
  • Tariffs: Trump emphasized tariffs as crucial to the U.S. economy, expressing frustration that emergency tariff powers are pending a Supreme Court decision.
    • Quote [00:25]:
      "Without tariffs, what would you do? You know what? Everybody would be bankrupt. Everybody, the whole country would be bankrupt. And I have to wait for this decision. I've been waiting forever." — President Trump
  • Affordability: Trump responded to critics' discussion of affordability:
    • Quote [00:39]:
      "I want affordability. I had to go out and talk about it." — President Trump
  • Tax Cuts: He claims recent tax cuts are driving current economic growth and increased business investment.
• Reporter: Jessica Rosenthal

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2. Presidential Statements on Aliens and UAPs

[00:52–01:42]

• Context: Former President Obama, on a podcast, suggested that aliens are real, though he hadn’t seen evidence firsthand.
• Trump’s response:
  • Ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and other agencies to release information regarding alien life and unidentified aerial phenomena (UFOs).
  • Accuses Obama of improperly revealing classified info by implying the existence of aliens.
  • When pressed personally, Trump says:
    • Quote [01:30]:
      "I don't have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it." — President Trump
• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth responds online with an alien and a saluting emoji, signaling a mix of engagement and levity.

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3. Pop Culture & Economic Briefs

[01:42–02:00]

• Eric Dane Dies:
  • Actor Eric Dane ("Grey's Anatomy", "Euphoria Store") passes away at 53 after battling ALS.
• US Trade Deficit:
  • The deficit slipped modestly by $4 billion to $901 billion in 2025.

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4. U.S. Triumphs at the Winter Olympics

[02:40–03:21]

• Women’s Hockey:
  • Team USA wins gold in overtime against Canada.
    • Memorable Moments:
      • Megan Keller scores the overtime game-winner (final score 2–1).
      • Hilary Knight, in her fifth and final Olympics, ties the game with just over two minutes left.
  • Quote [02:43]:
    "It was a good day to be an American at the Winter Olympics." — Joe Morgan
• Women’s Figure Skating:
  • Alysa Liu wins gold—the first U.S. women’s Olympic figure skating gold since 2002.
    • At 20, Liu becomes the first American on the podium since Sarah Hughes.

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5. Severe Weather Hits Indiana

[03:21–03:57]

• Significant structural damage reported in central Indiana due to storms; multiple counties under a tornado watch.
• On-the-ground report from Bloomington:
  • Fifth Third Bank’s roof is largely destroyed; repair crews already at work.
  • Monroe County Emergency Management Agency asks residents to stay off roads to help safety crews.
  • Quote [03:27]:
    "Part of the roof that is just completely toppled into where, you know, cars would usually file in and do their business." — Gabriela Morando

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6. Government Shutdown: Department of Homeland Security

[03:57–04:25]

• Partial government shutdown continues; Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unfunded due to protests relating to ICE.
• ICE and CBP not directly affected, but other DHS functions (like cyber and Coast Guard) are under strain.
• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem:
  • Quote [04:15]:
    "We every day protect people in their communities, but also our cybersecurity is all through the Department of Homeland Security. Our Coast Guard is out doing interdictions on the water."
• Ongoing congressional disagreements over security protocols, including agent mask bans and ID requirements.

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Notable Quotes

• President Trump [00:25]:
  "Without tariffs, what would you do? You know what? Everybody would be bankrupt. Everybody, the whole country would be bankrupt. And I have to wait for this decision. I've been waiting forever."

• President Trump [01:30]:
  "I don't have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it."

• Gabriela Morando [03:27]:
  "Part of the roof that is just completely toppled into where, you know, cars would usually file in and do their business."

• Joe Morgan [02:43]:
  "It was a good day to be an American at the Winter Olympics."

• Kristi Noem [04:15]:
  "We every day protect people in their communities, but also our cybersecurity is all through the Department of Homeland Security. Our Coast Guard is out doing interdictions on the water."

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Trump Rally and Tariffs: 00:02–00:52
• Alien Files and Presidential Responses: 00:52–01:42
• Eric Dane's Passing & Economic Brief: 01:42–02:00
• U.S. Winter Olympic Wins: 02:40–03:21
• Severe Indiana Weather: 03:21–03:57
• DHS Shutdown Coverage: 03:57–04:25

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains a rapid, headline-driven delivery, typical of news bulletins, with a focus on clear reporting, occasional direct quotes from key figures, and brief on-the-ground updates. Speaker attributions are maintained for authenticity.

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Transcript

[Chris Di Mail]

Presidential pitch. I'm Chris Di Mail, Fox News. President Trump highlighting his administration's economic successes at a rally in Northwest Georgia. Fox's Jessica Rosenthal has more.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

After visiting a restaurant in Rome, Georgia and touring a steel facility, the president then delivered remarks focusing initially on tariffs, expressing frustration that his future ability to impose emergency tariffs rests with the Supreme Court.

[President Trump]

Without tariffs, what would you do? You know what? Everybody would be bankrupt. Everybody, the whole country would be bankrupt. And I have to wait for this decision. I've been waiting forever.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

He had this to say about his critics use of the word affordability.

[President Trump]

I want affordability. I had to go out and talk about it.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

The president highlighted the so called big beautiful bill, insisting tax cuts are boosting the economy now and spurring an increase in business investment. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News.

[Chris Di Mail]

President Trump, meanwhile, makes an out of this world push following claims about aliens made by former President Obama.

[News Correspondent]

In a recent podcast appearance, former President Obama was asked if he knew if aliens were real. And he said they're real, but I haven't seen them. Now President Trump says based on the tremendous interest shown, he's directing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and other relevant agencies to release files related to alien life as well as unidentified aerial phenomena and and unidentified flying objects. The president accused Obama of revealing classified information by suggesting aliens were real. But when asked aboard Air Force One if he's a believer, no, I don't,

[President Trump]

I don't have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it.

[News Correspondent]

A response Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posted an alien and saluting emoji in Washington. Shaw nil.

[Chris Di Mail]

Fox News, Gray's Anatomy and Euphoria Store Eric died. Eric Dane has died. The 53 year old actor had been suffering from ALS and the US trade deficit slipping modestly in 2025, about $4 billion to 901 billion. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Chris Di Mail]

A golden day for the US at the winter Olympics.

[Joe Morgan]

It was a good day to be an American at the Winter Olympics. In women's hockey, Team USA and Canada played a thriller with Megyn Keller scoring an overtime goal to give the U.S. a 2 to 1 victory and the gold medal. Hillary Knight, appearing in her fifth and final Olympics, forced the extra period by tying the game with just 204 remaining in regulation. And Alyssa Lu won the United States its first women's figure skating Olympic gold medal in 24 years. Liu, a 20 year old from the San Francisco Bay Area, is the first American woman to stand atop the figure skating podium since Sarah Hughes did so in 2002. I'm Joe Morgan, Fox News.

[Chris Di Mail]

Severe weather causing structural damage in central Indiana with several counties under a tornado watch.

[Gabriela Morando]

We are at the Fifth Third bank along Third street here in Bloomington. I want to get right to the damage that we've been talking about. Part of the roof that is just completely toppled into where, you know, cars would usually file in and do their business. We were here at this bank. We saw a couple crews repairing power lines already. And we do know that the Monroe County EMA is recommending people stay off the road, stay home throughout the storm to really give all those crews who are out here doing repairs the most space, all the space that they need to really get the job done before the morning comes.

[Chris Di Mail]

FOX59 Indianapolis. Gabriela Morando, A partial government shutdown continues with the Department of Homeland Security remaining unfunded in protest of ice. ICE and CBP aren't affected, but DHS Secretary Kristi Noem says Democrats have unfunded other security functions.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

We every day protect people in their communities, but also our cybersecurity is all through the Department of Homeland Security. Our Coast Guard is out doing interdictions on the water.

[Chris Di Mail]

Noem appearing on fox's Hannity. Lawmakers remain split on proposals to ban agents from wearing masks and requiring ID. I'm Chris DiMeo. This is Fox.

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