4AM ET 08/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 4AM ET – August 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This newscast provides top U.S. and international headlines, focusing on President Trump’s approach to Iran, domestic emergency updates including wildfires, significant Senate developments on government funding, key election news from Michigan, White House travel highlights, and a mounting legal challenge to administration trade policy. The tone is brisk, urgent, and authoritative, reflecting the style of Fox News Radio updates.

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Key Stories and Insights

1. U.S.–Iran Tensions, Diplomatic Overtures, and Nuclear Issue

• Summary: President Trump outlined that Iran "must come to the table" to avert a "massive U.S. attack." The president says military action was narrowly averted over the weekend and calls this a final opportunity for a deal.
• Key Developments:
  • The potential deal would occur in two stages: first, reopening the Strait of Hormuz; second, negotiating Iran’s full denuclearization (00:22–00:37).
  • President Trump stressed that “They cannot have a nuclear weapon” and criticized Iran’s leaders as "unbelievably duplicitous" (00:44).
  • Iran has denied that direct talks are taking place (00:44–00:52).
• Notable Quotes:
  • President Trump: “This is a last chance for them to sign a good document.” (00:22)
  • President Trump: “That’ll take a little while, but we’re very strong on it. They cannot have a nuclear weapon.” (00:37)

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2. Washington State Wildfires and Arrest

• Summary: Law enforcement in Spokane County, Washington, arrested Aaron Farinacci, suspected of starting a wildfire—thanks to a vigilant citizen’s report.
• Key Details:
  • Over 700 structures have been destroyed and about 67,000 people evacuated (01:25).
  • Farinacci is held on $1 million bond (01:25).
  • Sheriff’s Spokesman John Norrells: Citizen noticed suspicious behavior and reported it, leading to the arrest (01:05–01:25).
• Memorable Moment: The role of an “astute eyewitness” in preventing further devastation (01:05).

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3. Senate Progress on Government Funding

• Summary: The Senate advanced a procedural vote to fund the federal government through December, with a final vote expected soon.
• Key Points:
  • Majority Leader John Thune expresses urgency to approve funding before the August recess (01:25).
  • No major contention reported at this phase.
• Quote:
  • No direct quote from Thune in the transcript, but his intent was reported (01:25).

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4. Michigan Primary Election Preview

• Summary: Michigan voters head to the polls in a closely watched primary, with special attention to Democratic races.
• Key Insights:
  • Races for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House are drawing national coverage due to the involvement of the Democratic Socialists of America and debates over U.S. policy toward Israel (02:36).
  • Michigan’s open primary system explained: voters can participate in any party’s primary but must choose one (02:36–03:17).
• Memorable Quote:
  • Eben Brown: “Voting in multiple party races would invalidate that ballot.” (03:12)

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5. President Trump’s West Coast Fundraising and Policy Messaging

• Summary: President Trump embarks on a two-day fundraising trip, emphasizing the economy and crime-fighting credentials.
• Details:
  • Events include an RNC dinner at Trump National Golf Club in LA and an economics-focused speech in Las Vegas (03:23).
  • The trip is positioned as promoting the administration’s economic accomplishments (03:23–03:52).
  • Historical note: Trump last visited California in January 2025 after wildfires.
• Quote:
  • None directly from President Trump or Tonya J. Powers beyond the summary reporting.

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6. State Lawsuit Against Administration’s New Tariffs

• Summary: A coalition of 25 states sues the Trump administration, seeking to block new tariffs, arguing executive overreach.
• Key Points:
  • Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays says the suit seeks to have the tariffs declared unlawful (04:00).
  • The administration justifies tariffs as addressing foreign forced labor in U.S. supply chains (04:14).
• Notable Quote:
  • Chris Mays: “We are asking the Court of International Trade to block these tariffs, to declare them unlawful and prevent the administration from continuing this pattern of overreach.” (04:00)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• President Trump: “This is a last chance for them to sign a good document.” (00:22)
• President Trump: “That’ll take a little while, but we’re very strong on it. They cannot have a nuclear weapon.” (00:37)
• Spokane County Sheriff spokesman John Norrells: “A citizen, very good citizen, noticed a male standing on the side of the road … at that point, the male stood up and looked very nervous, according to our citizen witness.” (01:05)
• Eben Brown: “Voting in multiple party races would invalidate that ballot.” (03:12)
• Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays: “We are asking the Court of International Trade to block these tariffs, to declare them unlawful and prevent the administration from continuing this pattern of overreach.” (04:00)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02–00:52: U.S.–Iran developments and talks
• 00:52–01:25: Washington wildfires & arrest
• 01:25–02:00: Senate government funding update
• 02:32–03:17: Michigan primary preview
• 03:23–03:52: Trump’s West Coast trip
• 03:52–04:14: States suing over tariffs

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Summary:
This broadcast delivers a rapid-fire account of breaking international diplomacy, domestic disaster response, legislative action, key election previews, presidential activities, and legal battles over trade. The update blends authoritative reporting with direct remarks from principal players, presenting a snapshot of U.S. news priorities as of August 4, 2026.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

They have one more chance. I'm Sue Guzman, Fox News. And President Trump says Iran must come to the table in order to avoid a massive U.S. attack.

[Fox News Reporter]

President Trump says the U.S. military was prepared to deliver a decapitating attack on Iran over the weekend before he called off strikes to allow for a new round of talks.

[President Trump]

This is a last chance for them to sign a good document.

[Fox News Reporter]

The president says a deal would be implemented in two phases, first reopening the Strait of Hormuz and then negotiating Iran's denuclearization.

[President Trump]

That'll take a little while, but we're very strong on it. They cannot have a nuclear weapon.

[Fox News Reporter]

President Trump earlier in the day accused Iran's leaders of being unbelievably duplicitous. Iran has denied direct talks are happening.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House, authorities arresting a man they suspect of starting one of the devastating wildfires tearing through eastern Washington state. Spokane county sheriff spokesman John Norrells accrediting an astute eyewitness for the arrest.

[President Trump]

A citizen, very good citizen, noticed a male standing on the side of the road looking into the trees as he was going to pick somebody up. About 10 minutes later as he was coming back through the area, he noticed the male was bending down near some grass. At that point, the male stood up and looked very nervous, according to our citizen witness.

[Sue Guzman]

The Suspect, identified as 37 year old Aaron Farinacci, booked on suspicion of arson in connection the old Trails fire is being held in a million dollars bond. The fire one of several burning around Spokane. At least 700 structures have been destroyed, about 67,000 people forced to evacuate. The Senate has passed a procedural vote that would fund the government through early December, setting up a vote on final passage later in the week. Majority Leader John Thune said he wants to pass it before the Senate leaves for August recess. America's listening to FOX news.

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[Sue Guzman]

It's primary day in Michigan. Fox's Eben Brown with a preview.

[Eben Brown]

Voters in Michigan will be picking party nominees today for governor, for U.S. senate and for U.S. house races. Those races have garnered national attention due to the involvement of the so called Democratic Socialists of America throwing their support behind certain Democratic Party candidates, including those who have made questioning US Policy supporting Israel a major issue. Michigan's primary today is considered to be open as it does not exclude non party affiliated voters, but does require a voter to pick a single party in which to cast a ballot. Voting in multiple party races would invalidate that ballot. Polls today open at 7am local and close at 8 at night. Eben Brown, FOX News.

[Sue Guzman]

President Trump is fundraising on a two day trip to the West Coast. We have more from fox's Tonya J.

[Tonya J. Powers]

Powers. The two day trip will include President Trump headlining a Republican National Committee dinner at Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles before he heads to Las Vegas, Nevada to deliver remarks on the economy at Red Rock Casino. The White House says the purpose of the trip is to highlight his administration's economic accomplishments and crack down on crime. It marks Trump's second visit to California in his second term last year. He went to the state on January 24th to see damage from the Los Angeles wildfires. Tonya J. Powers, Fox News.

[Sue Guzman]

25 states suing the Trump administration over the latest round of tariffs imposed on U.S. trading partners. Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays.

[Tonya J. Powers]

We are asking the Court of International Trade to block these tariffs to declare them unlawful and prevent the administration from continuing this pattern of overreach.

[Sue Guzman]

The states claim the tariffs exceed executive authority. The Trump administration imposed the tariffs citing failures of countries to prevent forced labor in U.S. supply chains. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Now, I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment

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