4AM ET 07/05/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: 4AM ET 07/05/2026 — Episode Summary

Main Theme

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national and international news items as America marks its 250th birthday. Key topics include President Trump’s Independence Day message, significant global developments in Venezuela and Iran, a major trade policy announcement, and federal investment in airport infrastructure. The tone is urgent and patriotic, reflecting the historic moment.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. America’s 250th Birthday — President Trump’s Address

• [00:03–01:02]

  • Event: President Trump delivered a speech from the National Mall, Washington, D.C., celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial on July 4th, 2026.
  • Highlights:
    • Emphasis on American freedom and spirit.
    • References to equality and the Declaration of Independence.
    • Strong denunciation of communism.

  Notable Quotes:

  • President Trump:

    "We’re celebrating freedom’s triumph over tyranny, liberty’s conquest over oppression and the enduring victory of the American spirit from the July 4, 1776 to July 4, 2026." (00:21)

  • "As our Declaration of Independence tells us, we are all made in the image of one almighty God. And the communists will never say that, that's for sure." (00:42)

  • Weather Impact:

    • Fireworks display in Washington delayed due to thunderstorms; similar delays and cancellations occurred nationwide due to extreme weather.

---

2. Venezuela Earthquake Crisis

• [01:02–01:55]

  • Update: The death toll from successive earthquakes continues to rise in Venezuela.
  • Details:
    • Nearly 3,000 dead, over 16,500 injured, 16,000 homeless.
    • Massive ongoing rescue operations, including international aid.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Carmen Roberts:

    "A government official confirms 2,954 people are dead, more than 16 and a half thousand injured and 16,000 people left homeless... medical teams are racing to treat the thousands of survivors." (01:22)

---

3. USMCA Trade Pact Changes

• [02:32–03:06]

  • Policy Shift:
    • The Trump administration is not renewing the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact for another 16 years, allowing the extension deadline to lapse.
    • Preparation for separate negotiations with Mexico and Canada.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Jared Halpern:

    "That decision was expected. President Trump has signaled dissatisfaction with the deal and says he prefers one on one trade agreements." (02:40)

---

4. Iran’s Leadership Change & Funerals

• [03:06–03:48]

  • Event:
    • Iran holds a mass funeral for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-backed Israeli airstrike at the start of the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
    • Public mourning accompanied by calls for revenge.
    • Transition of power to Ayatollah Mojtab Khamenei, as Iran negotiates postwar settlement and control over the Strait of Hormuz.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Paul Stevens:

    "Crowds marching past his flag draped coffin chanting death to America and death to Israel. Man calling for revenge." (03:17)

---

5. U.S. Airport Upgrades

• [03:48–04:14]

  • Investment:
    • Department of Transportation is allocating over a billion dollars to upgrade the US air traffic control system.
    • Project expected to complete in two and a half years.
    • Funding included in previous year’s legislative package.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Secretary Sean Duffy (via Fox and Friends):

    "Our systems are old and Donald Trump said, you know what? We have an epic opportunity to revamp, rebuild a brand new air traffic control system." (04:07)

  • Debra Valentine:

    "The funding was contained in last year's one big beautiful bill, as President Trump labeled it." (04:14)

---

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Patriotic reflections and historical resonance in Trump’s National Mall speech.
• Stark, emotional coverage of Venezuela and Iran highlighting global turmoil and humanitarian responses.
• Policy developments showing the Trump administration’s preference for individual trade negotiations rather than regional pacts.
• Tone of urgency and transformation in infrastructure investment segments.

---

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Event | |-----------|------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Opening: July 4th, 2026 celebrations recap | | 00:21 | Trump’s speech on freedom and American spirit | | 00:42 | Trump denounces communism | | 01:02 | Weather disruptions nationwide | | 01:22 | Venezuela earthquake update | | 02:32 | Trump administration: USMCA not renewed | | 03:06 | Iran’s funeral for late leader, leadership shift | | 03:48 | US airport upgrades announcement | | 04:14 | Funding details and timing for airport upgrades|

---

Tone & Language

The episode blends patriotic, determined language (especially in political and policy reporting) with clear, urgent delivery on international crises. Quotes and updates are succinct and direct, focusing on key facts and sentiments of the day.

---

For listeners wanting a snapshot of US celebrations, global events, and actionable policy decisions as America marked its 250th birthday, this episode delivers timely, high-impact coverage with an emphasis on American resilience and leadership.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Washington celebrates the fourth I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. President Trump spoke to Americans from the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on the nation's 250th birthday late Saturday. As communities across the U.S. mark the nation's semiquincentennials, we're celebrating freedom's triumph over

[President Trump]

tyranny, liberty's conquest over oppression and the enduring victory of the American spirit from the July 4, 1776 to July 4, 2026.

[Debra Valentine]

President Trump talking equality during the speech, citing the Declaration of Independence while blasting

[President Trump]

communism as our Declaration of Independence tells us we are all made in the image of one almighty God. And the communists will never say that, that's for sure.

[Debra Valentine]

The event follow A large fireworks display was delayed due to thunderstorms hitting the nation's capital. Many celebrations from coast to coast delayed, shortened or even canceled due to inclement weather, including triple digit temperatures during the past few days. The death toll climbing in Venezuela following back to back earthquakes the death toll

[Carmen Roberts]

in Venezuela from the massive earthquakes that struck June 24th has climbed to nearly 3,000. A government official confirms 2,954 people are dead, more than 16 and a half thousand injured and 16,000 people left homeless. Tens of thousands of emergency workers backed by more than 3,000 International Rescue personnel are pushing through exhausting search and rescue operations, digging through the rubble while medical teams are racing to treat the thousands of survivors. Carmen Roberts, FOX News America's listening to

[Debra Valentine]

FOX News

[Chevron Advertiser]

who helps America go farther, fly higher, dream even bigger? People do. Since 1879, our people have been more than a source of energy. They've been a source of progress. Today, that same progress is helping deliver record US Energy production, fueling the workers, the makers, the boundary pushers and risk takers who spark the breakthroughs that move America forward. Learn more about what our people [e-mail] USA250

[Debra Valentine]

President Trump is pulling the plug on a trade deal negotiated during his first term. Fox's Jared Halpern has more Administration is

[Jared Halpern]

not renewing the U S Mexico, Canada trade pact, allowing a July 1 deadline to extend the agreement for 16 more years to pass. That decision was expected. President Trump has signaled dissatisfaction with the deal and says he prefers one on one trade agreements. Trump administration officials have already kick started a review process, meeting separately with Canadian and Mexican counterparts that could lead to a renegotiation of the treaty. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox

[Debra Valentine]

news As the US celebrates America 250, Iran mourns as it holds a days long funeral for its late leader killed at the start of the U S Israel, Iran conflict.

[Paul Stevens]

Hundreds of thousands of people filling the streets of Tehran as Iran began a days long funeral for the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in a U S Backed Israeli airstrike during the Iran war. Crowds marching past his flag draped coffin chanting death to America and death to Israel. Man calling for revenge. That funeral also marking a pivotal moment for Iran's leadership as the Ayatollah Mojtab Khamenei takes power and the regime tries to strengthen its position during negotiations over a permanent end to the war and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Paul Stevens reporting. The Department of Transportation is investing over a billion dollars to upgrade the nation's airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joining Fox and Friends weekend explains it involves updating the nation's air traffic control system.

[Jared Halpern]

Our systems are old and Donald Trump

[President Trump]

said, you know what? We have an epic opportunity to revamp, rebuild a brand new air traffic control system.

[Debra Valentine]

Secretary Duffy also said the project will be completed in two and a half years. The funding was contained in last year's one big beautiful bill, as President Trump labeled it. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

[American Home Shield Advertiser]

Ah, I'm sensing plumbing problems. Worry not. With American Home Shield, you can now video chat with live repair experts for help with home fixes over the phone. Talk to a real human expert over video chat who can help get that home system or appliance back on track. Sounds like peace of mind. American home Shield. Don't worry, be warranty. Visit ahs.com listen for 20% off any

[Chevron Advertiser]

plan video chat feature available as benefit to AHS members with select plans. See ahs.com for hours and details.