4PM ET 07/24/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 4PM ET, July 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode lays out the latest developments in U.S. political, legal, and economic news. Coverage centers on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, President Trump’s new nuclear energy initiatives, controversy over new tariffs, a ruling on abortion pill regulations, surging measles cases, and shifts in American Express’s customer demographics. Market updates round off the newscast.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Tensions Rise

• President Trump states the U.S. military is "locked and loaded," but no final decision has been made regarding further action against Iran.
• Trump describes options: continued pressure, rapid escalation, or ongoing negotiations. Talks with Iran are happening even as he speaks.
• Iranian threats are exchanged in response to recent U.S. strikes.

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump [00:17]:

  "You can just keep doing exactly what we're doing and take them apart piece by piece. We could do it in a more rapid fashion, which we might do, or we can negotiate with them, which we're also doing right now. I mean, as we speak, we're talking."

• Lisa Brady [00:32]:

  "The president declining to answer a New York Times question about potentially being accused of war crimes if he follows through on a threat to blow up power plants and bridges. One Iranian official threatening to kill a US Service member for every death in Iran."

2. Nuclear Energy Initiative & Executive Orders

• Trump spotlights his administration’s efforts to boost nuclear energy, citing four executive orders.
• He tasks the U.S. Energy Secretary with piloting advanced nuclear reactors.

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump [00:53]:

  "Last year, I signed four historic executive orders to reignite a wave of progress in America's nuclear power production and promote this abundant, affordable, unlimited supply of energy for the American people."

3. Lawsuit Over New Tariffs

• The Liberty Justice Center (representing small businesses) sues the Trump administration over new 10-12% tariffs on 60 trading partners.
• The group argues tariffs are arbitrary, require congressional approval, and need country-specific justification.
• Context: This group previously succeeded in a Supreme Court challenge against emergency tariffs.

Segment Highlight:

• Fox News Announcer [01:16]:

  "The same group representing small businesses that successfully challenged the use of emergency tariffs at the Supreme Court this year is suing the Trump administration over a new round of tariffs announced this week."

• Lisa Brady [01:37]:

  "The lawsuit also argues a law allowing sanctions over unfair labor practices needs country specific findings to be legally justified."

4. Federal Court Strikes Down Abortion Pill Restrictions

• A federal judge in Virginia rules it was "unlawful" for the FDA to mandate special certification for doctors/pharmacies dispensing mifepristone.
• The judge notes the drug has been safe and effective since 2000, questioning new restrictions without sufficient explanation.
• The decision follows similar ongoing challenges from Republican-led states and anti-abortion groups.

Notable Quotes:

• Kristin Goodwin [02:32]:

  "...the judge noting the FDA failed to explain why the heightened restrictions were necessary when it found the medication to be safe and effective for the past quarter century."

5. Measles Outbreak Surpasses Last Year’s Figures

• Over 2,300 U.S. measles cases so far in 2026, already breaking 2025’s record.
• Major outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah, and Arizona; smaller clusters across other states.
• Falling vaccination rates cited as a contributing factor.

Notable Quotes:

• Lisa Brady [03:11]:

  "The CDC confirming more than 2,300 cases so far this year, driven by major outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona, sickening hundreds with smaller clusters in other states. As vaccination rates have fallen in recent years..."

6. American Express Courts Younger Cardholders

• Amex’s traditionally affluent customer base is expanding to millennials and Gen Z.
• Two-thirds of new Platinum and Gold cardholders are from these groups.
• Premium products like Platinum Card see increased uptake, with overall spending up 9%.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenny Kosola [03:31]:

  "CEO Steven Squeary says the company's been attracting new customers, particularly among younger generations. And more customers are signing up for its premium products like the HyperK Platinum Card, with an annual fee of $0.800, $75. Amex says about two thirds of new Platinum and gold card holders are either millennials or members of Gen Z."

7. Market Updates

• The Dow closes up 235 points; S&P up by 3 points; NASDAQ continues a sell-off, down 161 and back below 25,000.
• Oil prices fall below $90 per barrel.

Notable Quotes:

• Lisa Brady [04:09]:

  "The S&P up about 3 points. But the NASDAQ extends a sell off down 161, back under 25k. Oil prices sliding back under $90 a barrel."

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Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• President Trump clarifies U.S. strategy with Iran [00:17]:

  "You can just keep doing exactly what we're doing...or we can negotiate with them, which we're also doing right now."

• Virginia judge on FDA restrictions [02:32, Kristin Goodwin]:

  "...the judge noting the FDA failed to explain why the heightened restrictions were necessary..."

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• US–Iran Escalation: 00:03 – 00:32
• Nuclear Energy Announcement: 00:53 – 01:07
• Tariffs Lawsuit: 01:16 – 01:37
• Court Ruling on Abortion Pill: 02:28 – 02:32
• Measles Outbreak: 03:11 – 03:31
• Amex and Young Consumers: 03:31 – 04:09
• Market Recap: 04:09 – 04:25

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Tone & Language

The episode maintains Fox News’s signature brisk, factual, and slightly urgent tone. Quotes reflect directness from public figures and news anchors, maintaining clarity, conciseness, and a sense of immediacy.

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This summary provides a comprehensive snapshot of the news highlights and context for listeners who missed the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

The US Is locked and loaded on Lisa Brady, Fox News. From President Trump just telling reporters the US Military is ready to go, but he has not made a decision yet on escalating the fight against Iran, which he says does want to make a deal but doesn't want to admit it.

[President Trump]

You can just keep doing exactly what we're doing and take them apart piece by piece. We could do it in a more rapid fashion, which we might do, or we can negotiate with them, which we're also doing right now. I mean, as we speak, we're talking.

[Lisa Brady]

The president declining to answer a New York Times question about potentially being accused of war crimes if he follows through on a threat to blow up power plants and bridges. One Iranian official threatening to kill a US Service member for every death in Iran. Iran's been responding to US Strikes with attacks on US Gulf allies. The president taking questions after making a nuclear energy announcement.

[President Trump]

Last year, I signed four historic executive orders to reignite a wave of progress in America's nuclear power production and promote this abundant, affordable, unlimited supply of energy for the American people.

[Lisa Brady]

Now directing the US Energy secretary to set up a pilot program for advanced reactors. There's already a lawsuit over newly announced Trump tariffs.

[Fox News Announcer]

The same group representing small businesses that successfully challenged the use of emergency tariffs at the Supreme Court this year is suing the Trump administration over a new round of tariffs announced this week. The Liberty Justice center says 10-12-12% tariffs imposed on 60 US trading partners are capricious and arbitrary and require congressional approval.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox is Jared Halpern at the White House. The lawsuit also argues a law allowing sanctions over unfair labor practices needs country specific findings to be legally justified. A mixed finish on Wall Street. The Dow up 234 points at the bell, but the NASDAQ in the red. America is listening to Fox News.

[Fox News Announcer]

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[Lisa Brady]

A federal judge strikes down new federal rules for an abortion pill.

[Kristin Goodwin]

A US District judge in Virginia finding it was unlawful for the Food and Drug Administration to start requiring doctors and pharmacies to be specially certified to prescribe the abortion drug mifepristone. The agency first approved mifepristone in 2000. The judge noting the FDA, failed to explain why the heightened restrictions were necessary when it found the medication to be safe and effective for the past quarter century. The decision comes after three abortion providers sued over the modified requirements and as a number of Republican led states and anti abortion groups are challenging access to the medication. Kristin Goodwin, FOX News Measles cases in

[Lisa Brady]

the US Already topping last year's record numbers. The CDC confirming more than 2,300 cases so far this year, driven by major outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona, sickening hundreds with smaller clusters in other states. As vaccination rates have fallen in in recent years, an iconic credit card is appealing to more young users.

[Jenny Kosola]

American Express is known for having a mostly affluent cardholder base, and it's used by large companies. Those users continued to spend in the recent quarter. Overall card member spending rose 9%. CEO Steven Squeary says the company's been attracting new customers, particularly among younger generations. And more customers are signing up for its premium products like the HyperK Platinum Card, with an annual fee of $0.800, $75. Amex says about two thirds of new Platinum and gold card holders are either millennials or members of Gen Z. Jenny Kosola, FOX NEWS Recapping stocks, the Dow

[Lisa Brady]

ends in the green, up 235. The S&P up about 3 points. But the NASDAQ extends a sell off down 161, back under 25k. Oil prices sliding back under $90 a barrel. I'm Lisa Brady, FOX News.

[Fox News Announcer]

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