4PM ET 07/15/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 4PM ET 07/15/2026 Newscast

Date: July 15, 2026
Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News Podcasts
Episode Focus: Urgent global, national, and economic news updates, with live reports and high-level political commentary.

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Episode Overview

This fast-paced afternoon update covers new U.S. military actions in Iran, President Trump's comments on the strikes and defense spending, a high-profile DOJ confirmation hearing, economic updates amid global tensions, the release announcement of former President Biden’s new book, significant weather emergencies in Texas, and fresh economic data. The newscast provides a sharp snapshot of global and national developments with brief expert insights and notable remarks from major political figures.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ongoing U.S.–Iran Conflict Escalation

• Latest Strikes: The U.S. launched a second wave of airstrikes on Iran, following rare daytime operations earlier in the day, marking the third strike in 24 hours (00:03).

• Presidential Commentary: President Trump underscored the administration's resolve, hinting at further escalation if Iran does not agree to talks.

  President Trump (00:14): “They're nasty people, but they want to make a deal. I can tell you they want to make a deal.”

• Implications: Trump reiterated that further action could follow, stressing an intent not to hurt the economy and highlighting robust performance in the U.S. defense sector.

  President Trump (00:39): “We're making a lot of money. The defense companies are doing great. It's jobs. It's all jobs. I'm not doing this for jobs, but when you think of it, we make our own equipment. We make the best military equipment in the world.”

2. Defense Investment Announcements

• Location/Context: Reporting from Pennsylvania, during a defense summit, President Trump announced nearly $10 billion in new investments for the state's defense industrial base (00:54).

3. DOJ and Epstein Files Scrutiny

• Hearing Highlights: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced intense questioning over the handling of sensitive details in the Epstein case files (01:09).

  • Ongoing concerns about unredacted victims’ names being released.
  • Blanche highlighted falling crime rates and the DOJ’s anti-fraud priorities.

  Jessica Rosenthal (01:09): “It's something that has haunted the Justice Department… some of the Epstein files had information that was not redacted and released victims names.”

• Political Neutrality Questioned: Blanche denied allegations of intending to use the DOJ for partisan purposes.

4. Congressional Hearings – Key Appointments

• Other top presidential picks, including nominees for Director of National Intelligence and CDC head, also faced confirmation hearings on the Hill (01:32).

5. Economic and Market Updates

• Inflation/Energy: Encouraging signs of cooling inflation; producer price index (PPI) down 0.3% for June, with some analyst optimism, though oil prices rise due to Iran conflict (03:24, 03:30).
• Stock Market: Strong finish for U.S. markets – Dow up 150, S&P up 28, Nasdaq up 162 (03:55).

6. Major Book Announcement – Former President Biden

• Book Details: Former President Biden will release “Promise Me America” in the fall, after the midterms, sharing his perspective on his presidency, economic rebuilding, democracy, foreign policy, and personal struggles.

  • Health Update: Biden confirms ongoing cancer treatment but plans to promote the book and conduct interviews (02:20).

  Former President Biden (02:34): “It's about why I chose to run for re election and why I chose to step aside. Most of all, it's about my faith in the promise of America.”

7. Emergency Weather and Flooding in Texas

• Flood Response: Heavy rainfall (over a foot in some areas) triggered rare “4 out of 4” flooding threat; over two dozen rescued from flooded vehicles (03:03–03:14).

• Safety Reminder: Emphasis on drivers to avoid flooded roads.

  Jessica Rosenthal (03:05): “Just takes a couple of inches of water on the road to create a dangerous condition for you if you're driving through that. And so we don't want you to get swept away.”

8. World Cup Soccer

• England and defending champions Argentina are scoreless at halftime; winner to face Spain in the final on Sunday (01:32).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S.–Iran Strikes:

  President Trump (00:14): “They're nasty people, but they want to make a deal.”
  President Trump (00:21): “You don't have to be a genius to realize when you see what's happening to them every night. And now today we gave them a little daytime shot.”
  President Trump (00:29): “Next week will be worse if Iran is not willing to make a deal.”

• On Defense Industry:

  President Trump (00:39): “We make our own equipment. We make the best military equipment in the world.”

• On DOJ Scrutiny/Epstein Files:

  Jessica Rosenthal (01:09): “It's something that has haunted the Justice Department… some of the Epstein files had information that was not redacted and released victims names.”

• On Texas Flooding:

  Jessica Rosenthal (03:05): “Just takes a couple of inches of water on the road to create a dangerous condition for you if you're driving through that.”

• On Biden’s Book and Personal Journey:

  Former President Biden (02:34): “Most of all, it's about my faith in the promise of America.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:03] — U.S. launches new strikes on Iran
• [00:14] — President Trump reacts, issues warnings to Iran
• [00:54] — Defense investment announcement in Pennsylvania
• [01:09] — DOJ’s Todd Blanche questioned on Epstein file handling
• [01:32] — Confirmation hearings for DNI, CDC; World Cup update
• [02:20] — Former President Biden’s new book announcement
• [03:03] — Texas flooding emergency and rescues
• [03:30] — June Producer Price Index and economic trends
• [03:55] — Market summary and conclusion

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Tone and Delivery

The update is brisk, factual, and direct, capturing breaking events and key soundbites from political leaders, offering a snapshot of the day's major developments as they unfold.

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Summary prepared for listeners seeking a thorough yet accessible review of the 4PM ET Fox News Hourly Update, July 15, 2026.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

New U.S. strikes on Iran. Lisa Brady, Fox News, CENTCOM. Just confirming a second wave following rare daytime strikes in Iran earlier today. It's the third round in 24 hours.

[President Trump]

They're nasty people, but they want to make a deal. I can tell you they want to make a deal.

[Lisa Brady]

President Trump just telling FOX businesses, Edward

[President Trump]

Lawrence, you don't have to be a genius to realize when you see what's happening to them every night. And now today we gave them a little daytime shot.

[Lisa Brady]

And he has warned that next week will be worse if Iran is not willing to make a deal. The president also suggesting again that the conflict won't hurt the economy in the long term.

[President Trump]

We're making a lot of money. The defense companies are doing great. It's jobs. It's all jobs. I'm not doing this for jobs, but when you think of it, we make our own equipment. We make the best military equipment in the world. What I do want to do is make it faster because we need it, but allies need it.

[Lisa Brady]

He's in Pennsylvania for a defense summit just announcing nearly $10 billion in new investments in the defense industrial base in Pennsylvania alone. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche facing repeated questions about the Epstein files at his confirmation hearing.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

It's something that has haunted the Justice Department over and over again since the beginning of this administration because some of the Epstein files had information that was not redacted and released victims names. Now, Blanche did tout a drop in crime across the country. Also efforts the department has undertaken when it comes to fraud prosecution. The DOJ has made fraud fighting a

[Lisa Brady]

PR Fox's David Spunt in Washington. Blanche also denying allegations he would use the Justice Department for political gain. The president's picks for director of national intelligence and head of the cdc. Also on the Hill today at the World Cup. England and defending champs Argentina scoreless at halftime. The winner faces Spain in the final on Sunday. Stocks finish higher, The Dow up 150 at the bell. America is listening to FOX News.

[West Rapaport]

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[Lisa Brady]

A new book from the former president is due out this fall after the midterms.

[Former President Biden]

Former President Biden's new book is called Promise Me America, he says in a promotional video. It's about the decisions he made and why he made them, including, as he put it, rebuilding the economy, restoring democracy, supporting Ukraine and withdrawing from Afghanistan.

[President Trump]

It's about why I chose to run for re election and why I chose to step aside. Most of all, it's about my faith in the promise of America.

[Former President Biden]

In the video, former President Biden says he's also continuing treatment for cancer. But a spokesperson for the book publisher Little, Brown and Company said he does plan to tour on behalf of the book and give interviews. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News Water rescues in

[Lisa Brady]

Texas, where more rain is on the way after more than a foot in some areas.

[West Rapaport]

The highest rainfall in Uvalde county.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

Just takes a couple of inches of water on the road to create a dangerous condition for you if you're driving through that. And so we don't want you to get swept away.

[West Rapaport]

West Rapaport, Texas Emergency Management over two dozen people have been rescued, many that washed out vehicles. The state issuing a rare four out of four flooding threat.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jeff Manasso. Another encouraging report on inflation, the producer price Index.

[Jenny Kosola]

Prices at the wholesale level declined 0.3% in June, excluding food and energy. Core PPI for last month rose 0.2%. Wholesale inflation moderated for the year ending in June, up 5.5% and up 4.7% excluding food and energy. The numbers reflect moderating energy prices in June, though the Iran conflict has pushed crude oil prices higher this month.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jenny Kosola this follows yesterday's report of consumer prices falling in June. US oil prices getting back over $80 a barrel. But again, stocks finish in the green. The Dow up 150s and P up 28. The NASDAQ up 162. And Lisa Brady. This is FOX News.