4AM ET 07/23/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 07/23/2026

Host: Fox News Podcasts

Date: July 23, 2026

Overview

This early-morning Fox News Newscast delivers rapid updates on evolving global tensions, U.S. legislative maneuvers, polling insights on the upcoming election, and weather concerns in the Gulf Coast. The episode’s key theme centers on the escalation of U.S.-Iran hostilities, the political response in Congress, and the American public's attitudes ahead of a contentious election season.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Escalation [00:02–01:23]

• Summary: The U.S. has concluded a twelfth consecutive night of attacks on Iran in response to aggression in the Persian Gulf. President Trump warns that military targets may expand to include Iranian civilian infrastructure should Iran persist in its maritime threats.
• Details:
  • President Trump’s warning: Expansion could include “things like power stations as well as bridges, even in and around Tehran.” ([00:18] Steve Harrigan)
  • Trump states: “They're getting hit so hard and they want to make a deal. But I say they're not ready to make a deal.” ([00:28] President Trump)
  • Iran's response: "An eye for an eye… will respond to any attacks in kind, attacking not only the United States, but any nation that helps the United States as well.” ([00:35] Report by Steve Harrigan)
  • Context: The threats come after attacks by the Houthis on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
• Diplomatic Angle: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in talks with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding both Ukraine and the Middle East. Lavrov offered no comment to Fox News’ inquiry about Russian aid to Iran against U.S. troops.

2. Congressional Action on War Funding & Budget [01:23–01:57]

• Summary: The House passes $95 billion in war funding, attached to a $1.5 trillion defense bill, while aiming to prevent a fall government shutdown.
• Details:
  • The “Save America Act” is tacked onto the budget framework for conflict funding, but skepticism remains among Senate Republicans.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune voices uncertainty: “We could pull that budget resolution passed by the House and use it to fund government.” ([01:46] John Thune)
  • Chad Pergram notes: The funding package is immune to filibuster, potentially allowing Republicans to “cut Democrats out of the funding process.” ([01:51] Chad Pergram)

3. Congressional Referral of Jack Smith [02:23–02:44]

• Summary: House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan refers former Biden Special Counsel Jack Smith to the DOJ, alleging misleading testimony about his investigation into Donald Trump, with potential criminal charges suggested.

4. Latest FOX News Polling on 2026 Midterms & Economy [02:44–03:26]

• Summary: New polls depict a tight national atmosphere:
  • 53% would back a Democratic House candidate, 36% a Republican.
  • President Trump’s approval stands at 39% (unchanged three months).
  • 76% rate the economy as “only fair or poor”; a similar number report hardship due to inflation.
  • 23% want dramatic change in government.
  • 50% view capitalism positively; 30% favor socialism (up 3 points from last year).
  • Democratic Socialists of America viewed positively by 31%.
  • Kristin Goodwin sums up the mood: "Roughly three quarters of those polled, 76%, say they'd rate the economy as only fair or poor, and another 3/4 say inflation has caused them financial hardship." ([02:44] Kristin Goodwin)

5. Tropical Storm Bertha Impacts Gulf Coast [03:26–04:15]

• Summary: Tropical Storm Bertha brings heavy winds to Louisiana, with minimal rain and limited damage. The storm made landfall at 2 PM CT in St. Bernard Parish, affecting marshland rather than population centers.
  • Robert Ray reports: "The effects on this barrier island, well, not bad, right? As far as visuals, nothing catastrophic, thank God... 40 plus mile an hour wind gusts, very minimal rain less than an inch across the region..." ([03:33] Robert Ray)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump:
  “They're getting hit so hard and they want to make a deal. But I say they're not ready to make a deal.” [00:28]
• Iran’s Policy:
  “An eye for an eye… Iran will respond to any attacks in kind, attacking not only the United States, but any nation that helps the United States as well.” [00:35] (Iranian Foreign Minister, cited by Steve Harrigan)
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune:
  “We could pull that budget resolution passed by the House and use it to fund government.” [01:46]
• Kristin Goodwin:
  "Roughly three quarters of those polled, 76%, say they'd rate the economy as only fair or poor..." [02:44]
• Robert Ray:
  “…as far as visuals, nothing catastrophic, thank God. But we did receive 40 plus mile an hour wind gusts…” [03:33]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S.-Iran conflict updates & threats: 00:02–01:23
• Congressional war funding & budget debate: 01:23–01:57
• Jack Smith DOJ referral: 02:23–02:44
• FOX News Polls on election & economy: 02:44–03:26
• Tropical Storm Bertha report: 03:26–04:15

---

Tone and Delivery

The broadcast is brisk, fact-driven, and maintains Fox News’ typical tone: direct, urgent about security concerns, and attentive to political divides and public sentiment. Speakers provide succinct quotes and authoritative summaries, keeping listeners rapidly informed amid unfolding global and domestic events.

---

Transcript

[A]

A vow to expand targets. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. The United States has wrapped up a twelfth night of attacks against Iran. Fox's Steve Harrigan tells us President Trump is issuing a warning that the target list could soon expand to civilian infrastructure,

[B]

things like power stations as well as bridges, even in and around Tehran. This if Iran keeps targeting shipping around the Straits of Hormuz. Here's President Trump.

[C]

They're getting hit so hard and they want to make a deal. But I say they're not ready to make a deal.

[B]

Iran's foreign minister issuing a sharp response, saying Iran's policy is crystal clear, an eye for an eye, that Iran will respond to any attacks in kind, attacking not only the United States, but any nation that helps the United States as well.

[A]

And the threat comes after the Houthis attached to attack two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Russia's foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Thailand for talks about Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East. Fox News asking Lavrov point blank whether Russia is helping Iran target American troops. Lavrov did not respond and simply walked away. The House has approved $95 billion in funding for the conflict with Iran and it was okay to with a one and a half trillion dollar defense bill. Fox's Chad Perkram with more in this report.

[D]

The House of Representatives trying to cure the legislative summertime blues. The House approved a stopgap bill to avoid a government shutdown this fall. The House sending the Senate a budget framework to pay for the conflict in Iran, tacking on the Save America Act. But there's GOP skepticism. Senate Majority Leader John Thune may not even tackle the budget blueprint until September.

[C]

We could pull that budget resolution passed by the House and use it to fund government.

[D]

That package is immune to filibusters. Republicans could then cut Democrats out of the funding process.

[A]

America's listening to FOX News.

[E]

They say that every day your business is late to AI, you fall two days behind. NetSuite Next is where your business meets AI because AI is built into everything you do. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures. Try netsuite next for free. Go to netsuite AI. Fox

[A]

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan has referred former Biden special counsel Jack Smith to the Justice Department, accusing him of misleading Congress about his investigation into President Donald Trump. He wants federal prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. New Fox News poll shedding light on what Americans think of President Trump, the midterms and economic growth.

[F]

A FOX News poll of over 1,000 US voters finding if the November election was today, 53% would back the Democratic candidate in their house district, while 40, 36% would back the Republican. The Democratic advantage comes as President Trump's approval rating stands at 39%, unchanged for the last three months. Roughly three quarters of those polled, 76% say they'd rate the economy as only fair or poor, and another 3/4 say inflation has caused them financial hardship. 23% want dramatic change in the government 50% viewing capitalism positively, 30% favoring socialism, up 3% from last year. The Democratic socialists of America are viewed positively by 31%. Kristin Goodwin, Fox News.

[A]

Tropical storm birth is battering Louisiana. Fox Weather's Robert Ray has more from Dauphin Island, Alabama.

[C]

It was pretty intense here earlier for a system that was so offshore. The effects on this barrier island, well, not bad, right? As far as visuals, nothing catastrophic, thank God. But we did receive 40 plus mile an hour wind gusts, very minimal rain less than an inch across the region as the system trekked to the west and then made landfall at 2pm Central Time in St. Bernard Parish. Bayous, essentially marshes in that area. So even though they had some on push or water rise there, nothing is going to be in a bad scenario, as the governor said.

[A]

Fox Weather's Robert Ray reporting. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[G]

Hi, Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Are you looking for a beach read this summer? May I suggest your big wireless bill? It's got suspense, mystery, a slightly flat emotional arc and a shocking twist where you realize you've been overpaying the entire time. Fortunately, though, Mint's story is better. Every plan, $15 a month, even unlimited. That's it. Happy ending, zero tears. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment

[F]

of $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 or 12 month plan required, $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes. Me slow when network is busy. See terms.