4AM ET 07/28/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 07/28/2026 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman | Date: July 28, 2026
Duration: ~4 minutes (content; ads omitted)

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Episode Overview

This newscast delivers the latest national and international headlines, spanning farewell ceremonies for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, significant meetings between U.S. leaders and international counterparts, ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions, insights from Dr. Anthony Fauci's personal writings, legal updates regarding James Comey, and new developments in the Idaho student murder case.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Farewell to Senator Lindsey Graham

[00:02–00:45]

• Ceremonial Details:
  • Senator Lindsey Graham’s casket will be brought into the Capitol Rotunda for a private ceremony, open for live streaming.
  • Congressional leaders will speak at the Capitol event.
  • Later ceremonies will be held at the National Cathedral (2:00 PM) where President Trump is expected to deliver remarks.
  • The procession will travel to South Carolina; an F16 flyover and a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Columbia are planned.
  • Graham will be buried privately in Pickens County.

“The casket carrying the late Senator Lindsey Graham will be brought into the Capitol Rotunda for a ceremony this morning. Congressional leaders are expected to speak… President Trump is expected to speak.”
— Jessica Rosenthal ([00:12])

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2. Critical Meetings in Washington

[00:45–01:25]

• President Trump’s Diplomatic Agenda:
  • Scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, expected to cover the recently signed US-Israel framework with Lebanon regarding the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, and U.S.-Iran tensions.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also visiting, sharing alleged evidence of Russian support for Iran against the U.S., including satellite imagery.
  • Zelenskyy to attend Senator Graham’s funeral.
  • U.S. and Iran have paused direct attacks for three days as talks are considered.

“President Trump will meet today with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington, DC... Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also meet with the president today with what he says is evidence that Russia is aiding Iran in its strikes against the U.S.”
— Sue Guzman ([00:45])

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3. Status of U.S.–Iran Hostilities and Regional Tensions

[01:25–01:55]

• Diplomacy vs. Military Action:
  • No recent direct attacks between the U.S. and Iran; President Trump signals openness to diplomacy but reiterates all options are on the table.
  • Iran claims negotiations are happening via third-party mediators, not directly.
  • Continued instability: Saudi Arabia intercepts drones from Iraq.

“President Trump has said all options remain on the table. But for now, the president says he is giving diplomacy a chance to work.”
— Steve Harrigan ([01:25])

“No, you can’t bribe them. You gotta beat them, and we’re beating the hell out of them.”
— Unknown Commentator ([01:36]; tone: resolute, combative)

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4. Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Personal Writings Released

[02:23–03:08]

• Rand Paul’s Release of Fauci’s Diaries:
  • Publicly, Fauci denied the COVID-19 lab leak theory, but in a January 2020 diary entry, he noted that the Wuhan wet market was likely an “amplifier” not the origin of the virus.
  • Fauci describes fluctuating relations with President Trump, referencing social media attacks and presidential retweets urging his firing.
  • Personal anecdote: In May 2020, Fauci received cookies and a supportive note from Joe and Jill Biden.

“He does not believe the virus was the result of a lab leak. But in his diary he also writes...now we know the market, the wet market in Wuhan was not the source. It was the amplifier.”
— Mark Meredith ([02:32])

“Received two packages cookies from Joe and Jill Biden with the note, you are our hero. Stay strong and healthy. We need you.”
— Mark Meredith, reading Fauci’s diary ([02:32])

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5. Legal Update: Former FBI Director James Comey

[03:08–03:54]

• Indictment and Defense:
  • Comey indicted on two counts for allegedly threatening the president via an Instagram post featuring “8647” spelled out in seashells—a purported reference to “kill 47.”
  • Defense claims the photo is protected political speech and seeks dismissal; DOJ has until August 18 to respond.
  • Trial scheduled for October 2026.

“The case against him should be thrown out, saying the photo is protected political speech.”
— Jeff Manaso ([03:17])

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6. Idaho Student Stabbing Case – Brian Kohberger

[03:54–04:14]

• Changed Plea Petition:
  • Brian Kohberger, convicted for the 2022 killing of four University of Idaho students, now seeks to change his plea to “not guilty,” citing ineffective counsel and claimed innocence.

“…telling the New York he'll argue he had bad counsel, claiming he's innocent and was misled into pleading guilty to the 2022 fatal stabbing.”
— Kristen Goodwin ([04:03])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “No, you can’t bribe them. You gotta beat them, and we’re beating the hell out of them.”
  — Unknown Commentator ([01:36])

• “Received two packages cookies from Joe and Jill Biden with the note, you are our hero.”
  — Mark Meredith, from Fauci’s diary ([02:32])

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Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | Details | |---------|-----------|--------------------------------| | Senator Lindsey Graham’s Farewell | 00:02–00:45 | Ceremony details, speakers, burial plans | | White House Meetings | 00:45–01:25 | Trump meets Netanyahu and Zelenskyy, US-Iran pause | | US-Iran Hostilities | 01:25–01:55 | Pause in attacks, regional tension, diplomacy | | Fauci’s Writings | 02:23–03:08 | Released diaries, lab-leak comments, Trump/Biden relations | | James Comey Update | 03:08–03:54 | Indictment, defense, trial schedule | | Idaho Murders Case | 03:54–04:14 | Kohberger petitions for plea change |

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Conclusion

This newscast offers a concise yet comprehensive roundup of top political, international, legal, and criminal justice headlines as the U.S. marks a pivotal news day punctuated by Senator Graham’s funeral, high-level diplomatic meetings, legal battles involving famous figures, and evolving narratives from recent U.S. history.

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Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

A farewell to a U.S. senator. I'm Sue Guzman. FOX News. Funeral services will be held today for the late Senator Lindsey Graham at the U.S. capitol.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

The casket carrying the late Senator Lindsey Graham will be brought into the Capitol Rotunda for a ceremony this morning. Congressional leaders are expected to speak and while this event is closed to the public, it will be live streamed. He will then be taken to the National Cathedral for a ceremony there at 2:00'. Clock, President Trump is expected to speak. The funeral procession then moves to South Carolina. Wednesday. Graham will be taken to the State House. In the morning, there will be an F16 flyover followed by a ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Columbia. His office says the late senator will be buried in Pickens county in a private burial. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump will meet today with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington, D.C. the two expected to discuss the framework agreement between the US And Israel that was signed with Lebanon over the Israel Hezbollah war and the ongoing conflict with with the US And Iran. Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also meet with the president today with what he says is evidence that Russia is aiding Iran in its strikes against the U.S. including satellite imagery of U.S. bases in the Middle East. Zelenskyy is also set to attend Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral. And it's been three days since the US And Iran paused their attacks. As the option of negotiations remains on the table.

[Steve Harrigan]

No direct attacks from Iran or the US on each other. President Trump has said all options remain on the table. But for now, the president says he is giving diplomacy a chance to work.

[Unknown Commentator]

No, you can't bribe them. You gotta beat them and we're beating the hell out of them.

[Steve Harrigan]

But Iranian officials acknowledge that negotiations are underway. But they say they are not talking directly to the US but instead are working through third party mediators. And all is not quiet in the region. Saudi Arabia said it had to shoot down several drones coming out of Iraq.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Steve Harrigan, America is listening to FOX News.

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[Sue Guzman]

Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul has released personal writings of Dr. Anthony Fauci. More from Fox's Mark Meredith Long said

[Mark Meredith]

publicly he does not believe the virus was the result of a lab leak. But in his diary he also writes this January 2020 now we know the market, the wet market in Wuhan was not the source. It was the amplifier. Having said that, somewhere that virus jumped from animals to humans. Fauci also details the very hot and cold relationship he had with President Trump. Also in April 2020. He goes the far right, is tweeting to fire me. The president even retweeted the tweet that said to fire me. We'll see how the day goes. A month later, May 2020, he writes, received two packages cookies from Joe and Jill Biden with the note, you are our hero. Stay strong and healthy. We need you.

[Sue Guzman]

Attorneys for former FBI Director James Comey are asking a federal judge to dismiss charges that he threatened the president. Details from fox's Jeff Manasso.

[Jeff Manasso]

James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury in April on two counts including knowingly and willfully making a threat to harm or take the life of the president and transmitting an interstate threat stemming from his Instagram post featuring a photo of seashells on a BEACH Spelling out 8647, a term for kill 47. The president, his defense team arguing to a federal judge that the case against him should be thrown out, saying the photo is protected political speech. The justice department has until August 18th to respond. The case is set for trial in October. Jeff Manasso, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

A man convicted of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022 wants to change his plea to not guilty. Brian Kohberger filing a petition to reopen his case.

[Kristen Goodwin]

A former criminology student who is serving four life sentences telling the New York he'll argue he had bad counsel, claiming he's innocent and was misled into pleading guilty to the 2022 fatal stabbing.

[Sue Guzman]

That's Fox's Kristen Goodwin reporting. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

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