4AM ET 07/29/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 07/29/2026: Episode Summary

Main Theme
This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update anchored by Sue Guzman provides rapid, top-line coverage of overnight U.S. military actions in Iraq, diplomatic messaging between the U.S. and Iran, major political appointments, fresh legal and political implications for prominent U.S. figures, public safety crises abroad, and key moments in recent American political events.

---

Key Headlines & Discussion Points

1. U.S. Military Strikes in Iraq & Tensions with Iran

[00:02 – 00:52]

• U.S. forces target Iran-aligned groups in Iraq:

  • These strikes were in response to attacks on U.S. forces and Saudi energy sites.
  • Preceded by the U.S. military halting an Iranian missile attack in the Middle East.

• President Trump's message to Iran:

  • Urges Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program, or face continued U.S. action.
  • Notable escalation rhetoric: Trump threatens further strikes on infrastructure, but expresses reluctance.
  • The U.S. re-implemented a naval blockade after ceasefire collapse.

  Notable Quotes:

  • President Trump at [00:26]:
    "If they don't make a deal, then I go back and I finish the job. But that's going to take them forever to rebuild. Already it'll take them many years to ever to rebuild."
  • President Trump at [00:42]:
    "They break the deal. We cannot have them break deals anymore."

---

2. Washington Politics: Confirmations and Investigations

[00:52 – 01:29]

• Jay Clayton confirmed as Director of National Intelligence:
  • Senate vote: 51–47.
  • Clayton—a former SEC Chair and U.S. attorney—faced scrutiny for not acknowledging Biden’s 2020 win in his confirmation hearing.
    • Kristin Goodwin ([01:07]):
      "Clayton's confirmation comes after scrutiny from lawmakers for refusing to say during his confirmation hearing that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election."
• Biden classified information tapes released:
  • A conservative group released three hours of audio and 117 transcript pages alleging former President Biden shared classified info with a biographer.
  • Comes after Biden lost a legal fight to keep the conversations private.

---

3. International Crisis: Japan Earthquake

[01:29 – 02:00]

• Ongoing rescue efforts in Japan:
  • Following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake:
    • 13 confirmed dead.
    • Active search continues for the missing.

---

4. Dr. Anthony Fauci Senate Testimony & Diary Revelations

[02:32 – 03:10]

• Fauci to testify regarding COVID-19:

  • Over 1,000 pages of his pandemic-era diaries released.
  • Entries reveal the scope of his international fame and personal experiences during the pandemic.
  • Senator Rand Paul to again question Fauci on COVID origins.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Dr. Fauci’s diary entry ([02:41]):
    "For better or worse, I'm becoming an international celebrity. Calls from all over the world."
  • Regarding meeting Julia Roberts ([02:50]):
    "She was so charming. When my image came up on the screen, she gasped and said that every time she sees me, her throat gets dry and she gets nervous."

---

5. Farewell to Lindsey Graham

[03:10 – 03:45]

• Funeral service in Washington, D.C.:

  • President Trump honors the late Senator Lindsey Graham at the National Cathedral.
    • Describes Graham as a "force of nature" and affirms his global impact.
    • Emphasizes Graham’s pervasive influence on U.S. and world politics.

  Notable Quotes:

  • President Trump ([03:23]):
    "It was a force of nature and I will miss him greatly."
  • President Trump ([03:35]):
    "It's a testament to his towering impact that among those mourning him here today are leaders, presidents, prime ministers from all over the globe."

---

6. South Dakota GOP Primary & Russian Tech Charges

[03:55 – 04:28]

• South Dakota Gubernatorial Primary Runoff:
  • Governor Larry Roden defeats Toby Doden to secure GOP nomination—first runoff in the state's history.
• International legal action:
  • Pavel Durov, Telegram founder, charged by Russia for allegedly aiding terrorism by not removing Ukrainian intelligence-linked channels.

---

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Trump’s direct warning to Iran:
  "If they don't make a deal, then I go back and I finish the job. But that's going to take them forever to rebuild." (President Donald Trump, 00:26)
• Fauci on unexpected fame:
  "For better or worse, I'm becoming an international celebrity." (Dr. Fauci Diary, 02:41)
• Tribute to Graham’s legacy:
  "It's a testament to his towering impact that among those mourning him here today are leaders, presidents, prime ministers from all over the globe." (President Trump, 03:35)

---

Structured Timeline of Major Segments

• [00:02] – U.S. airstrikes in Iraq; Iran nuclear deal pressure
• [00:45] – Naval blockade and policy reaction
• [00:52] – Jay Clayton confirmed as DNI; scrutiny over 2020 election comments
• [01:29] – Biden tapes released; Japan earthquake aftermath
• [02:32] – Fauci’s diary revelations; upcoming Senate testimony
• [03:10] – Trump’s tribute at Lindsey Graham’s funeral
• [03:55] – South Dakota GOP primary runoff; Telegram founder charged

---

Tone & Style

The episode features concise, matter-of-fact reporting characteristic of top-of-the-hour newscasts, punctuated by direct quotations and brief but pointed summaries from field reporters and anchors. President Trump’s comments use characteristically blunt, results-oriented language, while reports on governance and crises remain focused and urgent.

---

This comprehensive update delivers a snapshot of key global events and domestic political news—offering both clarity and immediacy for listeners on the move.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

New strikes, this time in Iraq. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. U.S. central Command says the strikes targeted Iran aligned group directed to attack US Forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. And it comes after the US Military says it halted an Iranian missile attack on US Forces in the Middle East.

[Narrator/Anchor]

Now is the time, President Trump says for Iran to make a deal over ending its nuclear program.

[President Donald Trump]

If they don't make a deal, then I go back and I finish the job. But that's going to take them forever to rebuild. Already it'll take them many years to ever to rebuild.

[Narrator/Anchor]

The president has threatened strikes on bridges and power plants, something he said on Fox and Friends he doesn't want to do.

[President Donald Trump]

They break the deal. We cannot have them break deals anymore.

[Narrator/Anchor]

President Trump re implemented a naval blockade following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement earlier this month.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Jared Halpern and President Trump's pick for top spy has been confirmed by the Senate.

[Kristin Goodwin]

The Senate voting Tuesday night to confirm Jay Clayton to become director of National Intelligence.

[Sue Guzman]

On this vote, the yeas are 51,

[Commercial Announcer]

the nays are 47, and the nomination is confirmed.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Clayton, a U.S. attorney and former chair of the securities and Exchange Commission during President Trump's first term, will take over for acting intel chief Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Clayton's confirmation comes after scrutiny from lawmakers for refusing to say during his confirmation hearing that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Kristin Goodwin, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

Newly released audio tapes disclosed by a conservative activist group appear to show former President Joe Biden shared classified information with a biographer. Three hours of audio and 117 pages of transcripts released by the oversight project after the former president lost a legal battle to keep those conversations private. And rescue operations continuing in Japan as the search for the missing continues. After a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, 13 people are confirmed dead. America is listening to FOX News.

[Commercial Announcer]

The following statements have not been evaluated by the fda. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The human brain is truly incredible. It surpasses supercomputers with over 100 billion neurons that control our thoughts, emotions and movements. Prevagen wants to keep it incredible. Powered by Apo Aquarin that was originally discovered in jellyfish, Prevagen is designed specifically for the brain to help keep it amazing so you can continue doing what you love with confidence. Try Prevagen for your brain today.

[Sue Guzman]

Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies today before a Senate committee after more than a thousand pages from his Covid era.

[Fox News Reporter]

Diaries were released in one diary entry, Fauci said, quote, for better or worse, I'm becoming an international celebrity. Calls from all over the world. In another entry, he mentioned meeting Julia Roberts, virtually writing, quote, she was so charming. When my image came up on the screen, she gasped and said that every time she sees me, her throat gets dry and she gets nervous. Paul, who has been feuding with Dr. Fauci over the origins of the COVID pandemic for years, will have another chance to question the former chief White House medical adviser during a Senate hearing.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Christina Coleman reporting. President Trump honoring Senator Lindsey Graham at his funeral service in Washington, D.C. tuesday,

[Jessica Rosenthal]

President Trump delivered a tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. it was a force of

[President Donald Trump]

nature and I will miss him greatly, he said.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

For 30 years, nothing of significance happened in the Capitol or even the world without Graham knowing about it, nor a piece of legislation passing without Graham having a say in it.

[President Donald Trump]

It's a testament to his towering impact that among those mourning him here today are leaders, presidents, prime ministers from all over the globe.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

The president said while Graham's life was cut short, he lived it to the fullest and died doing the work he was born to do, going out at the top of his game. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News, South Dakota.

[Sue Guzman]

GOP govern Larry Roden fended off a primary challenge from businessman Toby Doden Tuesday to advance to the November general election, the primary runoff marking the first time South Dakota voters were asked to settle a gubernatorial nomination through such a primary runoff. And in Russia, the founder of the messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, has been charged with aiding terrorism for allegedly not removing channels, chats and bots that were used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[Commercial Announcer]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FNRADIO20. 20% discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21 or older to order. Please drink responsibly.