3AM ET 02/25/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 3AM ET 02/25/2026 Newscast

Air Date: February 25, 2026
Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News)
Correspondents: Grinal Scott, Jeff Manaso, Trey Inks, Ainsley Earhart

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Overview

This episode spotlights major national and international news stories, led by a comprehensive recap of President Trump’s State of the Union address—the first of his second term. Additional segments include updates on high-profile national awards presented during the speech, a developing missing person case involving Savannah Guthrie’s mother, rising tensions and student protests in Iran, and the latest in financial markets.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Second-Term State of the Union

• Recap and Key Policy Highlights

  • President Trump declared, “The State of our Union is strong,” attributing this to policies enacted during his second term, especially a significant new bill.
  • Details cited from the bill: “Gave you no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security for our great senior.” (President Trump, [00:32])
  • Trump contrasted Republican and Democratic legislative action, emphasizing the Republicans’ role in passing these changes.
  • The speech was tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, framing it as a generational moment for impactful lawmaking.

• Notable Quote

  • President Trump: “Gave you no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security for our great senior.” ([00:32])

• Historic Length and Economic Agenda

  • The speech is noted as the longest State of the Union in U.S. history.
  • Trump asserted his economic program is “making Americans wealthier.”

2. Celebrations and Honors During the Speech

• Olympic Gold Medal Winning US Men's Hockey Team

  • The team received a bipartisan standing ovation for their victory in Italy, a moment that united both sides of the aisle.
  • US goaltender Connor Hellebuck was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

• Congressional Medals of Honor

  • Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, Army Chinook pilot wounded during the raid to capture Nicolás Maduro, was recognized.

  • Royce Williams, 100-year-old Navy fighter pilot and veteran of three wars, was also given a medal.

  • Memorable Moment: Standing ovation for the hockey team ([00:53]).

3. Democratic Response

• Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Rebuttal
  • Criticized Trump’s address, accusing him of misrepresenting the people’s interests:
    • “The president did what he always does. He lied, he scapegoated and he distracted. And he offered no real solutions to our nation's pressing challenges, so many of which he is actively making worse.” (Ainsley Earhart quoting Spanberger, [01:34])

4. Ongoing Search for Nancy Guthrie

• Developments in the Missing Person Case
  • Reward increased to $1 million for information on Nancy Guthrie, mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie.
  • Last seen February 1; believed abducted from her home in Tucson.
  • Doorbell video shows a masked man visiting the residence multiple times.
  • Savannah Guthrie’s public statement: “If this is what is to be, then we will accept it, but we need to know where she is.” (Ainsley Earhart, [03:26])

5. Iran: Protests, Diplomacy, and Regional Tensions

• Student Protests

  • Iranian students enter a fourth day of protests, chanting, “Not Gaza, not Lebanon. I would sacrifice my life for Iran,” signaling a focus on domestic needs over foreign interventions.

• US Legislative & Diplomatic Actions

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio to brief Congress on Iran.

  • Upcoming third round of US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva—seen as a potential last-ditch diplomatic effort.

  • Heavy US military presence in the region observed by Fox correspondents.

  • Key Quote: “These protests are the first anti regime demonstrations since the crackdown earlier this year that according to President Trump left more than 32,000 people dead.” (Trey Inks, [04:24])

• Israeli Warning

  • Prime Minister Ben threatens retaliation should Iran attack if a US-Iran war erupts.

6. Financial Market Update

• US Markets on the Rise
  • S&P 500 rebounded by 0.8%, recovering much of the previous day's loss.
  • Dow Jones surged by 370 points. ([04:48])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump:

  • “Gave you no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security for our great senior.” ([00:32])

• Ainsley Earhart (quoting Abigail Spanberger):

  • “The president did what he always does. He lied, he scapegoated and he distracted. And he offered no real solutions to our nation's pressing challenges, so many of which he is actively making worse.” ([01:34])

• Savannah Guthrie:

  • “If this is what is to be, then we will accept it, but we need to know where she is.” ([03:26])

• Trey Inks (on Iranian protests):

  • “Not Gaza, not Lebanon. I would sacrifice my life for Iran.” ([04:16])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• President Trump’s State of the Union Overview - [00:03]–[01:34]
• Awards and Olympic Team Honors - [00:53]–[01:34]
• Democratic Rebuttal by Gov. Spanberger - [01:34]–[01:49]
• Update on Nancy Guthrie Case - [03:08]–[03:59]
• Iran Protests and US Diplomacy/Regional Tension - [03:59]–[04:48]
• Financial Markets Update - [04:48]–[05:04]

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In Summary

This episode delivers a fast-paced overview of headline events, emphasizing political highlights from President Trump’s State of the Union, national acknowledgments and honors, a high-profile missing persons case, escalating tension in Iran, and daily financial news. Key moments were marked by memorable quotes from political and public figures, offering listeners a succinct but comprehensive review of the current news cycle.

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Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

Discussing the State of the Union. I'm Ted Lindner. Fox News. President Trump delivering his first State of the Union speech of his second term on Tuesday night. Fox's Grinal Scott with a recap.

[Grinal Scott]

In the eyes of President Trump, the

[President Trump]

State of our Union is strong and

[Grinal Scott]

he says the policies of his second term have made it that way. He cited the provisions of the one big beautiful bill that he signed into law as the catalyst and highlighted what he intended it to provide.

[President Trump]

Gave you no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security for our great senior.

[Grinal Scott]

The president noted how Republicans, not Democrats, got that done and tied the success to the country's 250th anniversary, saying it's our turn to legislate and help the next generation. Gernall Scott, FOX News.

[Ted Lindner]

The president also paying tribute to the Olympic gold medal winning US Men's hockey team getting a standing ovation from both sides of the aisle for their heroics. In Italy, the president's annual award, US Goldtender Connor Hellebuck with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The president issuing congressional medals of honor during the State of the Union wanted Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, an Army Chinook helicopter pilot who was wounded during the raid to capture Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. The second going to 100-year-old Navy fighter pilot Royce Williams, a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. And Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democrats rebuttal to President Trump's State of the Union. She said he didn't represent the best interest of the American people.

[Ainsley Earhart]

The president did what he always does. He lied, he scapegoated and he distracted. And he offered no real solutions to our nation's pressing challenges, so many of which he is actively making worse.

[Ted Lindner]

The president's speech, now the longest State of the Union in U.S. history, saying his economic agenda is making Americans wealthier. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Ted Lindner]

The reward is now up to $1 million in the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie. Fox's Jeff Manasso with the latest over

[Jeff Manasso]

three weeks of waiting, hoping and praying. Savannah Guthrie saying on Instagram that her mother, Nancy Guthrie may no longer be alive.

[Ainsley Earhart]

If this is what is to be, then we will accept it, but we need to know where she is.

[Jeff Manasso]

Guthrie announcing a $1 million family reward for information that leads to her mother's recovery. It's believed the 84 year old was taken from her home in Tucson February 1, with investigators saying a masked man captured on doorbell video may have visited Guthrie's home more than once. And despite some leads, there are no suspects and no arrests. Jeff Manasso, Fox News Secretary of State

[Ted Lindner]

Marco Rubio reportedly scheduled to brief top lawmakers on Iran. It comes as student protests continue in the country. Fox's Trey Inks has more from Tel Aviv.

[Trey Inks]

As the Middle east waits to see what comes next, university students in Iran are demonstrating now for a fourth day. These students taking to the streets of their campuses chanting not Gaza, not Lebanon. I would sacrifice my life for Iran. These protests are the first anti regime demonstrations since the crackdown earlier this year that according to President Trump left more than 32,000 people dead. With an ongoing US military buildup across the region, Fox News saw a US C17 transport plane landing in Tel Aviv. A third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States are scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland. Some analysts view this as a last ditch effort at avoiding a large conflict that could begin with American strikes against Iran.

[Ted Lindner]

Israeli Prime Minister Ben warned Iran against attacking his country if the US Launches a war against Iran. Stocks rising Tuesday S&P 500 climbed 0.8% recovery nearly three quarters of its sharp drop from the day before. The Dow hitting 370 points. I'm Ted Lindner. This is Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of

[Ted Lindner]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide

[Jeff Manasso]

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