5PM ET 02/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET 02/04/2026

Host: Ainsley Earhardt
Date: February 4, 2026

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Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update covers multiple fast-breaking national stories, with a focus on the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, political maneuvering around border security, Congressional action on scam advertisements, and notable judicial and electoral developments. The tone is urgent and news-driven, with rapid updates from correspondents and recorded statements from political leaders.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing Search for Nancy Guthrie (00:03 – 00:43)

• Case Update:
  Nancy Guthrie, 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie (Today Show host), remains missing for the fourth day. She disappeared from her Arizona home over the weekend.
• Rumors Addressed:
  Reports circulated about a possible person of interest and ransom notes sent to media.
  • Jonathan Hunt clarifies (00:18): “Absence of hard information from investigators. Speculation has been filling that void… no current suspects, no persons of interest. And the search is continuing.”
• Presidential Involvement:
  The White House confirmed President Trump spoke with Savannah Guthrie regarding her mother's disappearance.

2. U.S.–China Relations and Trade Alliance Efforts (00:43 – 01:17)

• International Diplomacy:
  President Trump held an extended call with China’s president touching upon his upcoming trip to China in April.
• Countering China’s Influence:
  Vice President Vance at a D.C. summit with representatives from 50 countries proposed a new trading bloc to challenge China’s dominance in critical minerals.

3. Border Security and ICE Reforms (01:17 – 01:48)

• Senate Developments:
  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer outlined a forthcoming proposal for ICE reforms.
  • Schumer (01:17): “We're ready to sit down and negotiate a very. But it's got to be strong. It's got to be tough. It's gotta rain in ICE in very serious ways and end the violence.”
• Homeland Security Deadline:
  Only nine days remain for negotiation under a short-term homeland security funding bill.
• ICE Operations:
  Border Czar Tom Homan reported progress in Minnesota on local cooperation with ICE; 700 agents are being redeployed from the state.
  • Jonathan Hunt (01:39): “We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets.”

4. Sentencing in Attempted Presidential Assassination (01:48 – 02:04)

• Legal Outcome:
  Ryan Ruth, convicted of attempting to kill President Trump on a golf course, receives a life sentence.

5. Congressional Redistricting in California (02:15 – 02:41)

• Supreme Court Decision:
  The court declined to overturn California’s new congressional maps, which are seen as advantageous to Democrats in the midterms.
• Political Response:
  Governor Newsom criticized President Trump for starting a “redistricting war” and predicted GOP losses in November.

6. Legal Battle Over Georgia Election Records (02:41 – 03:09)

• Fulton County Motion:
  The county filed to compel the FBI to return election records seized during a recent warrant.
  • Rob Pitt (02:41): “Fulton County, Georgia… is filing a federal court motion to compel the FBI to return records seized… Chairman Rob Pitt says President Trump is behind everything.”
• Further Comments:
  • Chuck Schumer (02:59): “He and his allies… refused to accept the fact that they lost. And even if he had won Georgia, he would still have lost the presidency.”
• Transparency Push:
  Fulton County wants the judge to unseal the affidavit behind the warrant.

7. Congressional Action on Social Media Scam Ads (03:15 – 03:50)

• Bipartisan Legislation:
  Introduction of the SCAM Act by Senator Ruben Gallego (D) and Senator Bernie Marino (R), aimed at curbing fraudulent ads and requiring platforms to verify advertiser identities and respond promptly to scam reports.
  • Chuck Schumer (03:21): “Fake investment and identity theft schemes, ads for… fake celebrity endorsements. No one knows exactly how many ads… are scams. It's enough for… the SCAM act… bipartisan legislation.”
• Industry Response:
  Meta states user reports of scams are declining and denies willful ignorance of scam ads.

8. Wall Street Market Recap (03:50 – End)

• Stock Market:
  Mixed day: the Dow ended up 260 points, S&P in the red, Nasdaq down 350.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jonathan Hunt (00:18):
  “Absence of hard information from investigators. Speculation has been filling that void… the sheriff came out emphasizing no current suspects.”
• Ainsley Earhardt (00:43):
  “The White House confirming earlier today that President Trump spoke with Savannah Guthrie. The president also speaking with China's president, describing the call as long and thorough on numerous topics.”
• Chuck Schumer (01:17):
  “We're ready to sit down and negotiate a very. But it's got to be strong. It's got to be tough. It's gotta rain in ICE in very serious ways and end the violence.”
• Jonathan Hunt (01:39):
  “We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets.”
• Rob Pitt (02:41):
  “Fulton County, Georgia… filing a federal court motion to compel the FBI to return records seized… President Trump is behind everything.”
• Chuck Schumer (03:21):
  “Fake investment and identity theft schemes, ads for shoddy, banned or non existent products, fake celebrity endorsements.”

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:03 – Breaking update: Guthrie disappearance, sheriff’s clarification
• 00:43 – President Trump comments on investigation, China summit, ICE reforms
• 01:48 – Ryan Ruth receives life sentence for attempted Trump assassination
• 02:15 – Supreme Court upholds California’s congressional maps, Gov. Newsom remarks
• 02:41 – Fulton County legal battle over election records
• 03:15 – SCAM Act introduced to combat social media ad fraud
• 03:50 – Wall Street close; market summary

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This episode delivers a whirlwind of high-impact political, legal, and security headlines in FOX News' concise, staccato delivery, keeping listeners current on major national events and Congress’ next steps.

Transcript

[Ainsley Earhardt]

More questions than answers. Lisa Brady, FOX news on day four of the search for Nancy Guthrie. The 84 year old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie reported missing last weekend from her Arizona home. The Pima county sheriff denying reports of a possible person of interest in the.

[Jonathan Hunt]

Absence of hard information from investigators. Speculation has been filling that void. That is why the sheriff put out the statement. There was speculation about one particular name of a person who may have been questioned in connection with the abduction. And then the sheriff came out emphasizing no current suspects, no persons of interest. And the search is continuing.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

Fox's Jonathan Hunt in Tucson. There have also been reports of possible ransom notes sent to media outlets. The White House confirming earlier today that President Trump spoke with Savannah Guthrie. The president also speaking with China's president, describing the call as long and thorough on numerous topics, including his planned trip to China in April. This as Vice President Vance was proposing a new trading bloc with allies and partners at a D.C. summit with 50 countries aimed at countering China's dominance on critical minerals. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says a proposal for ICE reforms is coming soon.

[Chuck Schumer]

We're ready to sit down and negotiate a very. But it's got to be strong. It's got to be tough. It's gotta rain in ICE in very serious ways and end the violence.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

Nine days left to negotiate under a short term homeland security bill. Border czar Tom Homan says the rhetoric and violence against federal agents has to stop. But he also says there's more cooperation now in Minnesota.

[Jonathan Hunt]

We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

So he says about 700 agents are being pulled out of the state. Sentencing day for Ryan Ruth, convicted of trying to kill President Trump on a golf course gets life in prison. America's listening to FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Chuck Schumer]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

California's new congressional maps aimed at favoring Democrats in the midterm elections are left in place by the U.S. supreme Court turning away an emergency appeal from Republicans in the state. And Governor Newsom just posting that President Trump started a redistricting war with a push to help Republicans win more seats in Texas and predicting GOP losses in November. A Georgia county wants its election records back, challenging a federal search and seizure in court.

[Rob Pitt]

Fulton County, Georgia, which includes much of Atlanta, is filing a federal court motion to compel the FBI to return records seized by agents when serving a warrant last week at the county's Board of Elections. County Commission Chairman Rob Pitt says President Trump is behind everything, and the president.

[Chuck Schumer]

Himself and his allies, they refused to accept the fact that they lost. And even if he had won Georgia, he would still have lost the presidency.

[Rob Pitt]

Fulton county also wants a judge to unseal the sworn statement used to justify the search warrant.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

Fox's Evan Brown A new proposal in Congress targets scam ads on social media.

[Chuck Schumer]

Their fake investment and identity theft schemes ads for shoddy, banned or non existent products, fake celebrity endorsements. No one knows exactly how many ads on social media are scams. It's enough for Senate Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Bernie Marino to introduce the SCAM act stands for safeguarding consumers from advertising misconduct, bipartisan legislation that would require social media platforms to verify the identification of advertisers and promptly review reports of scams. The bill also empowers state attorneys general to sue over suspected violations.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

Fox's Chris Foster Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, denies turning a blind eye to sketchy advertisers and says c scam reports from users have been declining. A mixed finish on Wall street after another rough day for tech shares, the Dow ending with a rally up to 60. But the S and P in the red, the NASDAQ dropping 350 and Lisa Brady, Fox News.