3AM ET 02/21/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 02/21/2026 Newscast

Main Theme:
This newscast delivers rapid updates on the Supreme Court’s rejection of President Trump’s tariffs, rising U.S.-Iran tensions, Olympic hockey news, the impact of tariffs on small businesses, and a U.S. military operation targeting narcotics trafficking.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Global Tariffs

• [00:03] Chris DiMaio opens the newscast with top news: The Supreme Court has struck down President Trump’s use of global tariffs, stating the administration overstepped its legal authority.
• [00:14] The court’s 6-3 decision sparked open criticism from President Trump, who expressed anger towards the justices, highlighting dissent even from his own nominees.
  • Trump (00:19): “I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country.”
• [00:27] At a press conference, Trump accused the court of foreign influence and specifically called out Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett.
  • Trump (00:39): “I think it's an embarrassment to their families. You want to know the truth? The two of them?”
• [00:43] Despite the court’s ruling, President Trump vows to seek alternative means, including plans for a temporary global 10% tariff.
  • Jared Halpern reporting.

2. U.S. Escalation in Middle East & Iran Tensions

• [00:55] Chris DiMaio transitions to increasing military buildup in the Middle East amid threats of war with Iran.
• [01:00] Jennifer Griffin reports:
  • The president is considering a limited strike on Iran; Iran threatens retaliation with missiles against U.S. bases.
  • Massive U.S. military deployment: Over 120 warplanes, including F-15s, F-35s, AWACS, KC-135 refuelers, and a carrier strike group through the Strait of Gibraltar.
  • The magnitude of preparations suggests military observers see conflict as imminent.
    • Griffin (01:00): “It is not a question of if, but when.”
• [01:46] President gives Iran a 10 to 15-day ultimatum for a new nuclear deal; warns of unspecified consequences if Tehran doesn’t comply.

3. Olympic Hockey Showdown: USA vs. Canada

• [02:40] Sports update from Joe Morgan: On Sunday, Team USA will play Canada for the Olympic gold in men’s hockey.
  • [02:47] USA defeated Slovakia 6–2, securing victory with a decisive second period.
  • Canada vs. Finland: Canada narrowly triumphed 3–2, with Nathan McKinnon scoring the game-winner in the final minute.
  • Joe Morgan (03:10): “The Americans haven't won gold since the Miracle on Ice team in 1980.”

4. Tariffs’ Impact on Small Business and Local Economy

• [03:25] Chris DiMaio spotlights small business reactions—Jet City Device Repair owner Savage Bhopal in Washington details immediate effects and relief after the Supreme Court decision.
  • Savage Bhopal (03:42): “We had to scramble. It was constant meetings with our partners overseas...At least there's one pressure point is relieved right if this goes in the right direction and continues to improve.”
• [03:59] Washington Governor Ferguson’s statement, via Alejandro Guzman, underscores the broad economic damage tariffs caused—decreased port traffic, agricultural decline, and increased business costs.

5. U.S. Military Strike Against Narco-Trafficking Vessel

• [04:15] Chris DiMaio closes with news of a U.S. military operation—strike on a drug trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in three deaths. The U.S. Southern Command states the vessel was on known narco-trafficking routes.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump on SCOTUS Tariff Ruling

  • “I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country.” (00:19)
  • “I think it's an embarrassment to their families. You want to know the truth? The two of them?” (00:39)

• Jennifer Griffin on Middle East Buildup

  • “The amount of military hardware ... signals to most military observers that it is not a question of if, but when.” (01:00)

• Savage Bhopal on Tariffs’ Business Impact

  • “At least there's one pressure point is relieved right if this goes in the right direction and continues to improve.” (03:52)

• Joe Morgan on Hockey Finals History

  • “The Americans haven't won gold since the Miracle on ice team in 1980.” (03:10)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:03] — Supreme Court rules against Trump’s tariffs
• [00:19]/[00:39] — Trump rebukes Supreme Court, criticizes his own nominees
• [00:55] — U.S. increases military presence in Middle East
• [01:00] — Pentagon moving military assets; analysis by Jennifer Griffin
• [01:46] — U.S. gives Iran ultimatum for new nuclear deal
• [02:40] — Olympic hockey: USA vs. Canada preview
• [03:25] — Small business reaction to tariff ruling
• [04:15] — U.S. military strike on narco-trafficking vessel

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Overall Tone & Context

The update maintains Fox News’ brisk, urgent style, covering high-stakes topics with soundbites from principal actors and field correspondents. The focus is on political division, international tension, athletic competition, economic relief, and military action—keeping listeners briefed on rapidly evolving events.

Transcript

[Chris DiMaio]

Tariffs rejected. I'm Chris DiMaio, Fox News. The Supreme Court struck down President Trump's use of wide ranging global tariffs on Friday. The ruling found the administration exceeded its legal authority.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The 6:3 rebuke from the high court was met with disdain by President Trump.

[President Donald Trump]

I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country.

[Narrator/Reporter]

In a White House news conference, the president accused the court of being swayed by foreign influence and singled out criticism for Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, who he nominated during his first term.

[President Donald Trump]

I think it's an embarrassment to their families. You want to know the truth? The two of them?

[Narrator/Reporter]

Despite the tariff setback, the president vows to use alternative authorities, including imposing a temporary global 10% tariff. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Chris DiMaio]

The US Is ramping up its presence in the Middle east as the president threatens war with Iran.

[Jennifer Griffin]

The president, when asked, said he is considering a list limited strike on Iran. Iran has vowed to respond with ballistic and cruise missiles targeting US Bases in the Gulf. If the US does that sometime in the next month, the US could find itself in another war in the Middle east without a clear exit strategy. The amount of military hardware the Pentagon is positioning in the region signals to most military observers that it is not a question of if, but when. More than 120 warplanes have arrived in recent days, including dozens of F15s, F35s, AWACS aircraft, KC135 refuelers and cargo planes loaded with military equipment. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft Carrier strike group passed through the Strait of Gibraltar at the mouth of the Mediterranean.

[Chris DiMaio]

That's Fox's Jennifer Griffin. Now the president is giving Iran what he calls a 10 to 15 day window to agree to a new nuclear deal, warning that if Tehran refuses, bad things will happen. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Chris DiMaio]

The US and Canada will battle it out for the gold medal on Sunday. Fox's Joe Morgan has more Hockey fans

[Joe Morgan]

will get the matchup they wanted. The United States and Canada will face off on Sunday for an Olympic gold medal. On Friday, Team USA easily took care of Slovakia in the semifinals, winning 6 to 2 with by putting the game away in the second period with three goals. Earlier in the day, Canada rallied to defeat Finland 32 as Nathan McKinnon scored the go ahead goal with less than a minute remaining. The U.S. last reached the final at the 2010 Games when it lost to Canada in overtime thanks to Sidney Crosby's golden goal. And the Americans haven't won gold since the Miracle on ice team in 1980. I'm Joe Morgan, Fox News.

[Chris DiMaio]

One small business owner in Washington state is celebrating the Supreme Court's rejection of President Trump's authority to impose tariffs when

[Savage Bhopal]

tariffs were first imposed. Savage Bhopal, owner of Jet City Device Repair, who has two locations, one in Seattle and one in Bellevue, says that the impact for them was immediate.

[Savage Bhopal (continued)]

We had to scramble. It was constant meetings with our partners

[Savage Bhopal]

overseas after today's Supreme Court ruling. He says this is much needed relief.

[Savage Bhopal (continued)]

At least there's one pressure point is relieved right if this goes in the right direction and continues to improve.

[Savage Bhopal]

As for Governor Ferguson's response, he said, quote, washington state demonstrated the damage of the tariffs to the Supreme Court. In our brief, we saw a drop in traffic at our ports. Our agricultural industry saw a steep drop in shipments and cost for business increased.

[Chris DiMaio]

That's Fox 13, Seattle's Alejandro Guzman. The U.S. military carrying out another deadly strike on a vessel accused of trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Three people are reported killed. The U.S. southern Command saying that the boat was transiting along known Norco trafficking routes and was engaged in narco trafficking operations.

I'm Chris dimaio, this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus.

[Ainsley Earhart]

A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.