4AM ET 07/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – Detailed Summary Episode: 4AM ET 07/21/2025 Newscast Release Date: July 21, 2025 Host/Author: FOX News Podcasts

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1. Renewed Allegations in the Russia Investigation

[00:02]
Debra Valentine opens the broadcast with significant developments in the ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign connections to Russia. She introduces Tulsi Gabbard, Fox News Director of National Intelligence, who accuses former Obama administration officials of "falsifying evidence" regarding these connections.

Notable Quote:
"It's back. The Russia Hoax," – Debra Valentine [00:02]

[00:19]
Madeline Rivera elaborates on Gabbard's claims, highlighting that declassified documents suggest intelligence officials previously believed Russia lacked the means to influence the 2016 election via cyber methods. She references a pivotal December 9, 2016 meeting among Obama administration intelligence officials, after which an email allegedly directed the creation of a new assessment on Moscow's election influence tools. However, Democrats counter these assertions, indicating that Gabbard is conflating hacking with broader influence operations. They point to the bipartisan 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report, which reaffirmed Russia's favoring of President Trump in its influence efforts.

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2. Escalating Tensions Between Ukraine and Russia

[01:02]
Valentine shifts focus to international affairs, mentioning Ukraine's agreement to a third round of peace talks with Russia amidst ongoing conflict. Stephanie Bennett provides an in-depth report on the situation.

Notable Quote:
"Moscow's main objective is to achieve its goals," – Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman [01:15]

[01:15]
Stephanie Bennett reports that despite two previous talks in Turkey, tensions remain high. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov states President Vladimir Putin is prepared to move towards a peace settlement, though Russia remains steadfast in its objectives. Concurrently, Russia's Defense Ministry reports downing 142 Ukrainian drones overnight, with 27 targeting Moscow's capital, including a high-rise apartment block. The situation escalates as Russia's summer offensive intensifies, with over 300 drones and 30 missiles launched across 10 regions [01:15].

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3. President Trump's Stance on Russia-Ukraine Peace

[01:50]
Returning to national policy, Debra Valentine reports President Trump has issued Russia a 50-day ultimatum to achieve peace with Ukraine or face 100% tariffs, emphasizing his administration's firm stance.

Notable Quote:
"President Trump gave Russia a 50 day deadline to reach peace with Ukraine or face 100% tariffs." – Debra Valentine [01:50]

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4. Business Spotlight: NetSuite Advertisement

[01:59]
A brief advertisement for NetSuite by Oracle highlights the challenges businesses face with dynamic tariff and trade policies, supply chain issues, and cash flow constraints. NetSuite promises comprehensive visibility and control through its AI-powered business management suite, aiming to assist businesses in making informed decisions and automating everyday tasks.

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5. Six Months into President Trump's Second Term

[03:08]
Valentine marks the six-month milestone of President Trump's second term. Gurnell Scott provides an analysis of the administration's progress.

Notable Quote:
"We're grateful we got it passed and I think you'll start to see the effects of that soon." – Senator John Thune [03:33]

[03:18]
Gurnell Scott discusses Senate Majority Leader John Thune's perspective, noting that the first half of Trump's term has been marked by numerous executive orders and the passage of a significant bill. Thune expresses optimism about the administration's productivity, stating that "the president's agenda is being accomplished piece by piece" [03:33]. Upcoming priorities include Russian sanctions and addressing the expiration of the current continuing resolution to fund the government by the end of September [03:46].

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6. Arrest in New York City Following Border Patrol Agent Assault

[03:57]
An alarming incident unfolds as an illegal migrant is arrested after an off-duty Border Patrol agent is shot during an attempted robbery in New York City. CB Cotton reports the suspect is Miguel Francisco Mora Muniz, a Dominican national previously deported and released under the Biden administration. Muniz has an active criminal warrant in Massachusetts for kidnapping and prior felonies. The assailant attacked at Fort Washington Park, injuring the agent in the face and arm [04:09].

Notable Quote:
"Officers responded to the scene at Fort Washington park and they found the off duty Border Patrol agent shot in the face and arm." – CB Cotton [04:09]

[04:45]
Valentine adds that the agent is reported to be in stable condition, and a second suspect remains at large.

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7. Alaska Airlines Experiences IT Outage

[04:45]
Technical difficulties strike Alaska Airlines, leading to a ground stop of its flights, including those of its subsidiary Horizon Air. The outage compelled Alaska Air Group Incorporated to cancel flights on Sunday night, disrupting numerous travelers [04:45].

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8. Promotion: Bret Baier’s New Podcast

[05:04]
Bret Baier promotes his new podcast, highlighting in-depth conversations with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and featuring his popular All Star panel. Listeners can access the podcast through foxnewspodcasts.com or other major podcast platforms [05:04].

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Conclusion:
The episode of the Fox News Hourly Update on July 21, 2025, offers a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, including ongoing investigations into election interference, escalating conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, significant political milestones in President Trump's second term, and recent law enforcement incidents. Additionally, the broadcast touches on business solutions and introduces new media offerings, providing listeners with a well-rounded news digest.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

It's back. The Russia Hoax. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accusing former Obama administration officials of falsifying evidence about President Trump's 2016 campaign connections to Russia. Fox's Madeline Rivera reports.

[Madeline Rivera]

DNI Tulsi Gabbard says these declassified documents show intelligence officials consistently stated that Russia is probably not trying nor have the capability to influence the election by using cyber means. She cites a gathering among Obama intelligence officials on December 9, 2016 as a turning point. After that meeting, former DNI James Clapper's executive assistant sent an email to intelligence leaders tasking them to create a new assessment about the tools Moscow used to influence the 2016 election. But Democrats say Gabbard is conflating hacking and influencing. They say intelligence, including a bipartisan 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report, have reaffirmed Russia had a favorite in its influence operations, President Trump.

[Debra Valentine]

Gabbard didn't name specific officials but said there was enough evidence to prosecute them. Ukraine has agreed to a third round of peace talks with Russia as fighting continues. Box's Stephanie Bennett has the latest.

[Stephanie Bennett]

Well, Ukraine and Russia have already held two rounds of talks in Turkey in recent months. Now the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin is ready to move toward a peace settlement. But Moscow's main objective is is to achieve its goals. It comes as Russia's Defense Ministry says they downed 142 Ukrainian drones overnight. 27 were over the capital one hitting a high rise apartment block in Moscow. Russia's summer offensive continues to ramp up Friday night into Saturday. Russia launched more than 300 drones and 30 missiles across 10 regions.

[Debra Valentine]

President Trump gave Russia a 50 day deadline to reach peace with Ukraine or face 100% tariffs. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Debra Valentine]

Sunday marked exactly six months into President Donald Trump's second term. The Senate's majority leader says he feels there is progress. Here's fox's Gurnell Scott.

[Gurnell Scott]

It has also been six months since South Dakota GOP Senator John Thune became the majority leader of that body. On fox's Sunday morning Futures, he said the president's first half year has been marked by many executive orders and one big beautiful bill.

[John Thune]

We're grateful we got it passed and I think you'll start to see the effects of that soon. But you know, there's always more to do for sure. But we've had an incredibly successful and productive six months. The president's agenda is being accomplished piece by piece.

[Gurnell Scott]

Senator Thune says Russian sanctions are among the next big matters for Congress. Also, the current continuing resolution to fund government expires at the end of September.

[Debra Valentine]

Grinal Scott, FOX News an illegal migrant's been arrested after an off duty Border Patrol agent was shot during an attempted robbery in New York City. Fox's CB Cotton reports.

[CB Cotton]

DHS tells Fox one of the suspects now in custody is a previously deported illegal migrant caught and released at the border under the Biden administration. DHS tells Fox that Miguel Francisco Mora Muniz is a Dominican national caught by Border Patrol at the Arizona border in March 2020 and released into the U.S. the agency says he has an active criminal warrant in Massachusetts for kidnapping and prior felony arrest. Officers responded to the scene at Fort Washington park and they found the off duty Border Patrol agent shot in the face and arm.

[Debra Valentine]

The agents reported in stable condition. The second suspects at large, Alaska Airlines says a ground stop of its flights, including its subsidiary Horizon Air, are canceled. Alaska Air Group Incorporated requested the ground stop Sunday night due to an IT outage. I'm Deborah Valentine.

[Bret Baier]

This is listen to the all new Bret Baier podcast featuring common ground in depth talks with lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle along with all your Bret Bear favorites like his All Star panel and much more. Available [e-mail] or wherever you get your podcasts.