4AM ET 04/03/2026 Newscast

Summary

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FOX News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 04/03/2026 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman (with reporting from Brad Cooper, Kevin Cork, Mike Tobin, and Lisa Brady)
Date: April 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a brisk, headline-driven overview of major national and global news stories, focusing on escalating military tensions in Iran, high-profile changes within the US Justice Department, significant Pentagon shakeups, updates on space exploration, and airline industry developments.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating Military Action: US-Iran Tensions

• Iran claims shootdown of US jet:
  • Iran reports it has shot down a US F-35 fighter over its airspace, suggesting the pilot is unlikely to have survived.
  • "Iran this morning claiming it shot down a US F35 fighter jet over its territory and it says it is unlikely that the pilot survived." (Sue Guzman, 00:03)
• US Response:
  • U.S. Central Command has not confirmed the Iranian claim.
• President Trump's Role:
  • President Trump shares footage of a US military strike on Iranian infrastructure — specifically, the B1 bridge near Tehran.
  • "The president posted the video with the text: It's time for Iran to make a deal before it's too late." (Brad Cooper, 00:26)
• Iranian Rebuttal:
  • Iranian Foreign Minister accuses the US of striking civilian infrastructure as a sign of defeat.
  • “Striking civilian structures won't compel Iranians to surrender. It only conveys defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray.” (Brad Cooper quoting Abbas Aradchi, 00:41)

2. US Justice Department Shake-up

• Attorney General Pam Bondi Ousted:
  • Bondi's departure was anticipated after issues that arose early in her tenure.
  • "Multiple sources say her problems began just weeks into the job when she appeared on FOX in February of 2025." (Kevin Cork, 01:10)
• Epstein Client List Drama:
  • Speculation persists about a DOJ release of a Jeffrey Epstein client list.
  • "It's sitting on my desk right now..." (Sue Guzman, 01:24)
  • "...there was no client list to speak of there." (Kevin Cork, 01:25)
  • DOJ previously closed the case, noting no incriminating client list was found.
• Possible AG Replacements:
  • Deputy AG Todd Blanch is stepping in for Bondi temporarily.
  • Other candidates floated: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Assistant AG for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

3. Pentagon Leadership Shakeup

• Immediate Dismissal:
  • War Secretary Pete Hegseth fires Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, ordering immediate retirement. (Sue Guzman, 01:52)

4. International Affairs

• UN Security Council Vote:
  • Scheduled to vote on authorizing defensive action in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran closes the crucial waterway amid ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.
• Cuba Pardoning Prisoners:
  • Cuba announces humanitarian pardons for 2,000+ prisoners during Holy Week while facing stringent US oil blockades.

5. Space Exploration: Artemis II Mission

• Next Phase of Moon Mission:
  • Artemis II moves beyond Earth's orbit after resolving an equipment issue.
• Fixing the ‘Space Toilet’:
  • The Orion capsule’s hygiene bay malfunctioned but was fixed with mission control’s help.
  • “Even in space, you gotta go.” (Lisa Brady, 02:55)
  • NASA's upgraded ‘universal waste management system’ is explained, along with contingency plans (plastic bags, as used during Apollo missions).

6. Travel & Economy

• United Airlines Increases Baggage Fees:
  • Checked bag fee goes up by $10 (now at $50), possibly in anticipation of higher jet fuel costs due to Middle East conflict.
  • "United CEO Scott Kirby recently warned that sustained higher jet fuel costs could strain revenue." (Sue Guzman, 03:31)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On US-Iran Conflict:
  • "It's time for Iran to make a deal before it's too late." – President Trump via Truth Social (Brad Cooper, 00:36)
  • "It only conveys defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray." – Abbas Aradchi, Iranian Foreign Minister (00:45)
• On DOJ Turmoil:
  • "It's sitting on my desk right now..." – Sue Guzman, referencing Epstein client list rumors (01:24)
• On Space Oddities:
  • “Even in space, you gotta go.” – Lisa Brady, on the Orion capsule’s toilet fix (02:55)

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Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:03] – Iran claims downing of US jet; Trump posts military strike video
• [00:57] – DOJ shake-up & Pam Bondi’s ouster; discussion of Epstein investigation
• [01:52] – Pentagon shakeup: Army chief abruptly fired; UN Security Council update
• [02:38] – Cuba’s Holy Week prisoner pardon; US oil blockade
• [02:55] – Artemis II update: Space toilet malfunction and repair
• [03:31] – United Airlines baggage fee hike and fuel cost concerns

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Tone & Language

The newscast maintains FOX News’ fast-paced, concise, and direct reporting style. Quotes preserve the formal, slightly dramatic tone of news anchors and correspondents, blending hard-hitting headlines with brief moments of color (e.g., Lisa Brady’s dry humor about space toilets).

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Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Claims of a downed plane. I'm Sue Guzman. Fox News. And Iran this morning claiming it shot down a US F35 fighter jet over its territory and it says it is unlikely that the pilot survived. U.S. central Command is not confirming the strike. Meanwhile, President Trump is boasting about a military strike on Iran's infrastructure.

[Brad Cooper]

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper posted that it's undeniable that progress is being made. The president's post on Truth Social, he posted video of a bridge that was being destroyed. That's the B1 bridge about 25 miles west of Tehran. The president posted the video with the Texas time for Iran to make a deal before it's too late. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aradchi countered with a post saying striking civilian structures won't compel Iranians to surrender. It only conveys defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray.

[Sue Guzman]

From Fox's Mike Tobin there from Tel Aviv, eight people reportedly killed, 95 injured. Attorney General Pam Bondi is out at the U.S. justice Department. Fox's Kevin Cork tells us her ouster may have been months in the making.

[Kevin Cork]

Multiple sources say her problems began just weeks into the job when she appeared on FOX in February of 2025. The DOJ may be releasing the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients. Will that really happen?

[Sue Guzman]

It's sitting on my desk right now

[Kevin Cork]

to review, but there was no client list to speak of there. Then, of course, last July, the DOJ put out that memo announcing the Epstein case would essentially be closed, noting, quote, this systematic review revealed no incriminating client list. Now, in addition to Blanche being a possible replacement, others being floated for the post include EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, assistant attorney general for civil Rights Harmee Dillon, and even Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

[Sue Guzman]

Deputy AG Todd Blanch is stepping up to take Fundy's place. America is listening to FOX News big shake up Thursday as well. At the Pentagon, War Secretary Pete Hegseth firing the US army chief of staff, General Randy George, ordering him to retire immediately. UN Security Council set to vote on a plan to open the Strait of Hormuz Friday. The resolution would authorize the use of defensive action to ensure vessels safely transit the strait. Iran has closed the waterway that's vital to global shipping amid its conflict with the US And Israel. The Cuban government says it has pardoned more than 2,000 people. They're calling it a humanitarian gesture in connection with Holy Week. The pardon is coming as the Trump administration is placing extreme pressures on the Cuban government, including the implementation of an oil blockade, Artemis II blasting out of Earth's orbit now into the next phase of its moon mission. And it comes after the crew flushed out an earlier issue.

[Lisa Brady]

Even in space, you gotta go. And the Orion capsule has a space toilet or hygiene bay smaller than what's on the International Space Station. NASA calls it the universal Waste management System. It's mounted in the floor with a door and curtain for privacy and uses air suction instead of water and gravity. But after Orion reached Earth's orbit Wednesday night, the lunar loo wasn't fully functioning. Mission control guiding astronaut Christina Cook through some troubleshooting and a fix. They do have backup plans, including the kinds of plastic bags the Apollo crews had to use. Lisa Brady, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

United Airlines raising the price of its checked bag fee by $10 to $50 for travelers purchasing tickets starting today. While the airline did not specify whether the increase was tied to higher jet fuel costs coming from the conflict in Iran, United CEO Scott Kirby recently warned that sustained higher jet fuel costs could strain revenue. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of

[Brad Cooper]

Jesus, 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.