4AM ET 07/25/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET Newscast (July 25, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode covers major national and international news developments, with updates on the White House Correspondents Dinner following a prior security incident, escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, significant weather updates, new polling on presidential approval and the Iran conflict, President Trump’s response to EU tech fines, and a tragic house fire in Michigan.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. White House Correspondents Dinner Resumes After Attack

• Reporting by Debra Valentine [00:03] and Chris DiMeo [00:11]:

  • The White House Correspondents Dinner returned under heightened security and a smaller crowd after being halted by a shooting in April.

  • President Trump pushed for the event to continue as a stand for free speech and normalcy despite earlier violence.

    President Trump [00:22]: “So in this country, we believe in freedom of speech. We settle our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate. And no deranged loser with a gun will ever change that. We can't let that ever happen.”

  • Trump’s speech was described as “rambling,” mixing praise and criticism of the press.

    Chris DiMeo [00:35]: “The president delivering a rambling speech that praised some journalists and took potshots at others.”

2. Escalating Tensions: U.S. and Iran

• Reporting by Debra Valentine [00:43], Chanley Painter [00:50]:

  • President Trump signaled readiness for a "major strike" against Iran, stating that the military is “locked and loaded.”

  • Despite ongoing talks, U.S. intelligence suggests Iran's new supreme leader may seek nuclear weapons, raising concerns about China and Russia potentially enabling Tehran.

    President Trump [01:13]: “I don't think they'd want to have me disappointed.”

  • The conflict is expanding at sea: the U.S. disabled a second commercial vessel for trying to breach Iran’s blockade [01:16].

  • Trump warned that if attacks in the Strait of Hormuz continue, Iranian civilian infrastructure could be targeted.

3. Severe Weather Updates

• Debra Valentine [01:28]:
  • Tropical Storm Genevieve formed in the Pacific, over 500 miles from Mexico.
  • Hurricane Fausto strengthened to Category 2 and is expected to approach Hawaii next week.

4. Polling: Americans’ View on Iran Conflict and the President

• Jessica Rosenthal [03:11]:

  • New Fox News poll finds 56% oppose the conflict with Iran, a 4-point drop in opposition since May.

  • Nearly two-thirds of respondents expect the hostilities to last a year or more.

  • About the same proportion disapprove of President Trump’s handling of Iran.

  • Trump’s approval stands at 30%, with notably declining support from non-MAGA Republicans (down 13 points in a month).

    Jessica Rosenthal [03:11]: “The president's overall approval rating stands at 30 with loss of support from some key groups, including non MAGA Republicans whose support dropped 13 points in a month.”

  • If midterms were held today, Democrats would lead House races by 7%.

  • 50% view capitalism favorably, while 31% view democratic socialism favorably.

5. U.S.-EU Trade Escalation Over Tech Fines

• Jared Halpern (via Chris DiMeo) [04:01]:

  • Trump administration launches a “formal investigation into the European Union's trade practices,” opening the door for retaliatory tariffs.

  • Triggered by the EU’s $1 billion fine levied on Google for antitrust violations.

    President Trump [summary from Jared Halpern, 04:01]: “The EU will pay a price for its illegal and highly unethical conduct. The fines will be reversed and a substantial tariff will be placed on EU imports at the earliest possible moment.”

6. Tragic House Fire in Michigan

• Debra Valentine [04:37]:
  • Eight people (two adults, six children) died in a Grand Haven, MI house fire.
  • Police treating the tragedy as a mass murder-suicide; all victims were related.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump stands on principle after Hilton shooting:

  “We settle our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate. And no deranged loser with a gun will ever change that.” (President Trump, [00:22])

• Presidential pressure on adversaries:

  “I don't think they'd want to have me disappointed.” (President Trump, referring to China and Russia on Iran, [01:13])

• Polls reveal shifting winds:

  “The president's overall approval rating stands at 30 with loss of support from some key groups, including non MAGA Republicans whose support dropped 13 points in a month.” (Jessica Rosenthal, [03:11])

• Trump threatens tariffs on EU goods:

  “…a substantial tariff will be placed on EU imports at the earliest possible moment.” (Jared Halpern relaying President Trump, [04:01])

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Timestamps to Key Segments

• 00:03 – 00:43: White House Correspondents Dinner aftermath and President Trump’s remarks
• 00:43 – 01:28: U.S.-Iran standoff, diplomatic and military developments
• 01:28 – 01:40: Weather: Pacific storms update
• 03:02 – 03:53: New Fox News poll results on Iran and Presidential approval
• 03:53 – 04:37: U.S. retaliation against EU tech fines and trade disputes
• 04:37 – 04:58: Grand Haven, MI house fire investigation

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Takeaway

This fast-paced news update painted a country and President under pressure, grappling with international crises, declining approval ratings, and domestic security challenges. Moments of resolve from President Trump were contrasted with polling data suggesting growing public unease. The episode captured the urgency, tension, and shifting dynamics at the midpoint of an election year.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

The White House Correspondents Dinner. I'm Debra Valentine. FOX NEWS the White House Correspondent's dinner was back on a Friday night. Here's Fox's Chris DiMeo.

[Chris DiMeo]

It's time. The gathering in Washington was more subdued with a smaller crowd and tighter security. The dinner was abruptly halted back in April by a shooter at the Washington Hilton. But President Trump insisted the gathering continue.

[President Trump]

So in this country, we believe in freedom of speech. We settle our differences not with bullets, but with open and vigorous debate. And no deranged loser with a gun will ever change that. We can't let that ever happen.

[Chris DiMeo]

The president delivering a rambling speech that praised some journalists and took potshots at others. CHRIS Di mayo, FOX NEWS President Trump

[Debra Valentine]

is signaling a decision on launching a major strike against Iran. Fox's Chanley Painter has the latest.

[Chanley Painter]

He says the military is locked and loaded even as talks continue. President Trump says Tehran remains far from a deal. The New York Times reporting U.S. intelligence believes Iran's new supreme leader may be more open to pursuing a nuclear weapon as concerns grow inside the administration that China and Russia could be enabling Tehran. Trump says both leaders have assured him they are not arming Iran.

[President Trump]

I don't think they'd want to have me disappointed.

[Chanley Painter]

Meantime, the standoff is spreading at sea. The US Military says it disabled a second commercial ship after it allegedly ignored four warnings and tried to breach Iran's blockade.

[Debra Valentine]

President Trump recently warned that Iranian civilian infrastructure could be targeted if attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz continues. Forecasters say Tropical Storm Genevieve has formed in the Pacific Ocean over 500 miles off the coast of Mexico. Another storm, Hurricane Fausto, has strengthened into a Category 2 storm. Forecasters say the hurricane is expected to approach the Hawaiian Islands next week. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Debra Valentine]

This week, a new batch of Fox News polls dropped revealing how Americans feel about the president and the conflict with Iran. Fox's Jessica Rosenthal has more.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

The latest Fox News poll finds 56% oppose the conflict with Iran. That is four points down from where opposition was in May. Still, nearly two thirds think hostilities will last a year or more. And about the same amount opposes the president's handling of Iran. The president's overall approval rating stands at 30 with loss of support from some key groups, including non maga Republicans whose support dropped 13 points in a month. If midterms were held today, the polling found 7% more voters would go for the Democrat over the Republican in their House district. And the Fox poll found while 50% view capitalism favorably, 31% viewed democratic socialism favorably. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

President Trump is retaliating against EU fines on American tech firms. Fox's Jared Halpern has more from the White House.

[Chris DiMeo]

President Trump says his administration is opening a formal investigation into the European Union's trade practices, a first step in imposing wide ranging tariffs. In a social media post, the president criticized EU leaders for fining US Tech companies billions of dollars. This week, Google was hit with a $1 billion fine for violating European antitrust rules. President Trump says the EU will pay a price for its illegal and highly unethical conduct, adding the fines will be reversed and a substantial tariff will be placed on EU imports at the earliest possible moment. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

Eight people are dead following a fire in Grand Haven, Michigan. Police say two adults and six children were killed. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Department says the fatalities are being investigated as a mass murder suicide. Police say all of the victims were related. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

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