4PM ET 05/21/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 4PM ET 05/21/2026 Newscast

Host: Lisa Brady (FOX News)
Date: May 21, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode covers the latest political developments on Capitol Hill regarding funding for immigration enforcement, the aftermath of the 2024 election within the Democratic Party, President Trump's pause on a new executive order for artificial intelligence, a major fraud crackdown in Minnesota, and environmental concerns surrounding AI data centers. The episode also highlights a record-breaking day for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Capitol Hill Showdown: Funding for ICE & Homeland Security

• Republican Effort:
  • House Republicans attempt to fund ICE and Border Patrol separately from the broader Homeland Security budget using reconciliation, circumventing Democrat votes.
  • Bill stalls due to Democrat opposition and their intent to force votes on controversial amendments, such as a Justice Department compensation fund for alleged victims of political prosecutions.
• Democratic Response:
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vows to block what he calls a "slush fund" by any means possible:
    • Quote: "We'll do everything we can to stop this slush fund, whether it's in the courts, whether it's legislative, whether it's through reconciliation or any other legislative means." – Chuck Schumer (00:22)
  • Schumer criticizes Republicans for advocating security funding for the White House ballroom renovation.
    • Quote: "Republicans should also stop pushing security funding for the White House ballroom project." – Lisa Brady summarizing Schumer (00:34)
• Legislative Impasse:
  • FOX’s Chad Pergram notes setbacks for President Trump in Congress despite recent political momentum:
    • Quote: "They have to go back to the drawing board. They have to rejigger this bill. It's not going to get done right now. And even though President Trump has been on a winning streak politically, he's not getting done what he wants legislatively." – Chad Pergram (00:39)
• (00:02–00:53)

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2. Democratic Party: Post-2024 Election Reexamination

• Report Released:
  • DNC Chair Ken Martin releases a long-awaited postmortem on the party's 2024 loss, caving to calls for transparency.
  • The report criticizes a focus on identity politics but avoids addressing sensitive topics like the health of the former president.
• Party Leadership Perspective:
  • Schumer urges the party to move past the 2024 defeat to refocus on future elections:
    • Quote: "Trying to relitigate the 2024 election takes us away from actually our focus on 2026 and 2028." – Chuck Schumer (01:01)
• (00:53–01:09)

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3. Artificial Intelligence Policy: Canceled Executive Order

• White House Uncertainty:
  • President Trump cancels a scheduled signing of a new AI regulatory framework, citing last-minute reservations.
    • Quote: "The president abruptly canceled a signing ceremony for a new AI framework, telling reporters he did not like what he saw in the executive we're leading China, we're leading everybody." – President Trump (01:21)
  • Schumer voices caution about hasty regulation:
    • Quote: "And I don't want to do anything that's going to get in the way of that lead." – Chuck Schumer (01:32)
  • Trump worries about regulatory "blockers" hindering US AI leadership.
• Bipartisan Discussions:
  • Congress and the administration discuss implementing safeguards for AI, particularly regarding risk and cybersecurity.
• (01:09–01:47)

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4. Financial Update: Stock Market Record

• Dow Jones Milestone:
  • Dow closes up 289 points, reaching a record of 50,285.
• Recap:
  • "A record day for the Dow, up 289 points at the Bell." – Lisa Brady (01:47)
  • "The Dow with a record close at 50,285." – Christian Goodwin (04:16)
• (01:47 & 04:16)

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5. Justice Department: Federal Fraud Crackdown in Minnesota

• Major Accusations:
  • Justice Department announces charges against 15 people linked to $90 million in Medicaid fraud across seven Minnesota programs.
    • Quote: "Assistant U.S. attorney General Colin McDonald announcing charges against 15 people accused of defrauding taxpayers out of $90 million." – Chad Pergram (02:38)
    • Quote: "Tens of millions of dollars that never got to needy Minnesotans in daycare, autism stable and other programs." – Colin McDonald (02:54)
• Wider Scope:
  • DOJ expands its fraud strike force, calling this "the largest fraud crisis in American history."
• Feeding Our Future Sentencing:
  • Local woman given over 41 years for pandemic-era nutrition program fraud.
• (02:29–03:12)

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6. AI Data Center Rejection in Nevada: Environmental Concerns

• Public Opposition:
  • Boulder City Planning Commission, after significant public input, rejects the proposed Townsite Solar 2 AI data center project over concerns about water usage and community readiness.
    • Quote: "Regardless of how I personally feel about the project or the applicant, this town is not ready." – Boulder City Planning Commission Member (03:44)
• Community Perspective:
  • Residents emphasize prioritizing people over corporate interests:
    • Quote: "I think history has taught us that a lot of corporations will always put profit over people. Here in this community, I want to put the people first." – Kendra Dyson, local resident (04:01)
• Developer could reapply, but current plan is halted.
• (03:35–04:08)

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Schumer on "slush fund": (00:22)
  “We’ll do everything we can to stop this slush fund, whether it’s in the courts, whether it’s legislative, whether it’s through reconciliation or any other legislative means.”

• Chad Pergram on GOP legislative troubles: (00:39)
  “They have to go back to the drawing board. They have to rejigger this bill. It’s not going to get done right now.”

• Schumer on relitigating the 2024 election: (01:01)
  “Trying to relitigate the 2024 election takes us away from actually our focus on 2026 and 2028.”

• President Trump on AI regulation: (01:21)
  “The president abruptly canceled a signing ceremony for a new AI framework, telling reporters he did not like what he saw in the executive we’re leading China, we’re leading everybody.”

• Boulder City Planning Commission Member: (03:44)
  “Regardless of how I personally feel about the project or the applicant, this town is not ready.”

• Kendra Dyson on community priorities: (04:01)
  “I think history has taught us that a lot of corporations will always put profit over people. Here in this community, I want to put the people first.”

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Capitol Hill funding debate & "slush fund" dispute: 00:02–00:53
• DNC 2024 loss report: 00:53–01:09
• AI executive order cancellation: 01:09–01:47
• Dow record & financial wrap: 01:47 & 04:16
• Minnesota federal fraud crackdown: 02:29–03:12
• Nevada AI data center rejection: 03:35–04:08
• Community reactions: 03:55–04:08

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Summary & Tone

The episode delivers rapid-fire updates in the standard brisk, headline-driven style of FOX News newscasts. The tone is factual, with brief snippets of partisan rhetoric from political figures and community members, providing a sense of urgency and relevance to current political and economic developments. It offers a succinct yet informative overview, ideal for listeners seeking the latest national headlines on politics, crime, technology, and business.

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Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

Democrats say Republicans are in a box on Capitol Hill, Lisa Brady, FOX News. As a reconciliation bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol separately from Homeland Security without needing Democrat votes stalls with Democrats planning to force amendment votes on thorny issues, including a new Justice Department compensation fund for people who claim they're victims of political prosecutions.

[Chuck Schumer]

We'll do everything we can to stop this slush fund, whether it's in the courts, whether it's legislative, whether it's through reconciliation or any other legislative means.

[Lisa Brady]

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says Republicans should also stop pushing security funding for the White House ballroom project.

[Chad Pergram]

They have to go back to the drawing board. They have to rejigger this bill. It's not going to get done right now. And even though President Trump has been on a winning streak politically, he's not getting done what he wants legislatively. Here on Capitol Hill, Fox's Chad Pergram.

[Lisa Brady]

Democrats are still debating their 2024 loss. DNC Chair Ken Martin release a report he had shelved for months under pressure for transparency.

[Chuck Schumer]

Trying to relitigate the 2024 election takes us away from actually our focus on 2026 and 2028.

[Lisa Brady]

The report offers multiple criticisms, including a focus on identity politics, but sidesteps key issues, including the former president's health. President Trump holding off on a new executive order for artificial intelligence.

[President Trump]

The president abruptly canceled a signing ceremony for a new AI framework, telling reporters he did not like what he saw in the executive we're leading China, we're leading everybody.

[Chuck Schumer]

And I don't want to do anything that's going to get in the way of that lead.

[President Trump]

The administration and Congress are considering guardrails for artificial intelligence to manage risk and cybersecurity concerns. President Trump says he's worried the planned executive order would be a blocker.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House, a record day for the Dow, up 289 points at the Bell. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Lisa Brady]

Justice Department says a federal fraud crackdown in Minnesota is just beginning as more

[Chad Pergram]

people are charged the fraud here in Minnesota is shocking.

[Colin McDonald]

Assistant U.S. attorney General Colin McDonald announcing charges against 15 people accused of defrauding taxpayers out of $90 million.

[Chad Pergram]

Seven different state managed Medicaid programs that have been systematically pilfered.

[Colin McDonald]

Tens of millions of dollars that never got to needy Minnesotans in daycare, autism stable and other programs. The DOJ also announcing it's expanding its fraud strike force investigation team amid what it calls the largest fraud crisis in American history. Jeff Manasso, FOX News.

[Lisa Brady]

That announcement just after a woman was sentenced in Minnesota to more than 41 years in prison for her role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Convicted on multiple counts for stealing from child nutrition programs during the pandemic. While President Trump pushes for the US to lead the AI race, concern keeps growing about the power use and environmental impact of a data centers with one voted down in southern Nevada.

[Lauren Crumb]

After more than three hours of public opposition, the Boulder City Planning Commission denied a developer's application to build the Townsite Solar 2 AI data center.

[Boulder City Planning Commission Member]

This is the hottest topic, one of the hottest topics in the country. On top of our lack of water, regardless of how I personally feel about the project or the applicant, this town is not ready.

[Lauren Crumb]

Lauren Crumb, chair of the commission. Protesters also shared their concerns outside of the meeting.

[Kendra Dyson]

I think history has taught us that a lot of corporations will always put profit over people. Here in this community, I want to put the people first.

[Lauren Crumb]

Boulder City resident Kendra Dyson speaking with Las Vegas Fox 5 News. The developer could reapply, but the current plan will not move forward.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Christian Goodwin recapping Wall street stocks finish higher. The Dow with a record close at 50,285 and Lisa Brady, FOX News

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