5PM ET 02/19/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET 02/19/2026 Newscast

Main Theme:
A rapid roundup of breaking developments, national politics, international tensions in the Middle East, royal controversy in the UK, U.S. political maneuvering, and highlights from sports and Wall Street.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Campaign-Style Rally in Georgia

• Economic Boasting:

  • President Trump visits a steel plant in Georgia, using the occasion to bolster his economic credentials and counter claims that life has become less affordable under his administration.
  • Quote:
    • “And more Americans are working today than at any time in the history of our country.” – President Trump (00:11)
    • “I want affordability. I had to go out and talk about it, but we inherited a mess.” – President Trump (00:21)

• Political Context:

  • The appearance is noted as an overt attempt to “counter the Democrats [in the] midterm election messaging.”

2. Escalating Tensions with Iran & Middle Eastern Instability

• US-Iran Relations:

  • Trump comments to reporters on his way to Georgia, assuring that “there will be a deal with Iran one way or another,” and refuses to take potential military action off the table.
  • The U.S. continues a military buildup in the region after two rounds of indirect talks.

• European Response:

  • European nations, including Poland, are urging their citizens to leave Iran as fears of direct conflict escalate.

• Israeli Response:

  • Israel's Prime Minister issues a stern warning:
    • Quote:
      • “If the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will receive a response that they cannot even imagine.” – Israeli Prime Minister (00:55)
  • The Israeli military stays on high alert, though no new guidelines have been issued to civilians.

3. Gaza Rebuilding Plan & International Stabilization Force

• Board of Peace Meeting:
  • President Trump chairs the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” as part of Gaza’s rebuilding.
    • The U.S. pledges $10 billion to the organization, while member nations promise over $7 billion collectively.
    • Seven countries are committing troops and police for a new international stabilization force in Gaza.

4. Renewed Investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch

• New Mexico Attorney General Action:
  • Reopens the investigation into alleged illegal activities at Epstein’s former ranch after new files and evidence are reviewed. The original case was closed in 2019 at the behest of New York federal prosecutors.
  • Highlights continued fallout and scrutiny following Epstein’s death.

5. Prince Andrew’s Arrest and Royal Fallout

• Arrest in the UK:
  • Former Prince Andrew is arrested and then released on his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office tied to “Epstein emails” which suggest he may have passed confidential information as a Trade envoy.
  • King Charles’ Statement:
    • The King reiterates, “the authorities have his full support and the law must take its course,” and stresses Andrew denies all wrongdoing.

6. Virginia Redistricting Legal Battle

• Temporary Block of Democrat Map:
  • A federal judge temporarily blocks Democrats’ redistricting effort targeting four congressional seats.
  • The plan was supposed to go before voters in April; Republicans (and the Republican National Committee) sued to halt it.
  • The case highlights fierce legal and political skirmishes ahead of midterms.

7. White House Ballroom Project Moves Forward

• Approval and Controversy:
  • President Trump’s plan to build a new ballroom at the White House clears a major hurdle, receiving approval from the Commission of Fine Arts.
    • All but one of the seven commission members, all Trump appointees, voted in favor. The lone abstention designed the project.
    • The East Wing demolition (to make way for the ballroom) prompts a preservationist lawsuit.
    • Funding:
      • Trump insists the $400 million cost will be covered by private donations.
  • Next, the project faces a vote by the National Capital Planning Commission.
  • Quote:
    • “The cost of the new ballroom estimated the total as much as $400 million is being raised through private donations.” – Jared Halpern (03:37)

8. U.S. Women Claim Olympic Hockey Gold

• Thrilling Finish:
  • In a game lasting over 44 minutes into overtime, Team USA defeats Canada 2-1 at the Milan Winter Olympics.
  • Celebrated as a significant sports achievement for the U.S.

9. Financial Markets Recap

• Summary of the Day’s Markets:
  • The Dow Jones falls by 267 points, the S&P down by 19, and the Nasdaq drops by 70.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “And more Americans are working today than at any time in the history of our country.”
  – President Trump (00:11)

• “If the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will receive a response that they cannot even imagine.”
  – Israeli Prime Minister (00:55)

• “The cost of the new ballroom estimated the total as much as $400 million is being raised through private donations.”
  – Jared Halpern, White House Correspondent (03:37)

• “King Charles, who last year stripped Andrew of his royal titles... says the authorities have his full support and the law must take its course. Andrew denies all allegations of wrongdoing.”
  – Fox News Anchor (02:32)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump’s Economic Rally & Iran Tensions: 00:03 – 01:14
• Gaza Rebuilding & Board of Peace: 01:14 – 01:34
• Epstein Ranch Investigation: 01:34 – 01:57
• Prince Andrew & Royal Fallout: 02:15 – 02:45
• Virginia Redistricting Court Order: 02:49 – 03:17
• White House Ballroom Approval: 03:17 – 03:51
• Olympic Hockey Gold: 03:51 – 04:04
• Financial Update: 04:04 – End

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Summary

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers quick, high-impact stories from politics, world affairs, royal scandal, and sports. President Trump’s efforts in Georgia to reclaim the narrative on affordability, escalating US-Iran-Israel tensions, substantial moves for peace and rebuilding in Gaza, and new developments in ongoing investigations and legal battles headline the newscast. Meanwhile, the arrest and release of Prince Andrew ensnare the UK monarchy in continuing Epstein fallout. On the domestic front, courtroom fights over district maps and the White House’s new ballroom reflect political tensions and administrative ambition. Finally, U.S. women’s hockey brings home Olympic gold, wrapping the broadcast with a dose of national pride.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

A campaign style rally on. Lisa Brady, FOX News.

[Fox News Anchor]

President Trump at a steel plant in Georgia for the latest pitch on his economic agenda.

[President Trump]

And more Americans are working today than at any time in the history of our country.

[Fox News Anchor]

Think of that seven trying to counter the Democrats midterm election messaging that he's making life less affordable.

[President Trump]

I want affordability. I had to go out and talk about it, but we inherited a mess.

[Fox News Anchor]

On his way to Georgia, the president telling reporters there will be a deal with Iran one way or another. Possible military action still on the table after two rounds of indirect talks with Iran as a US Military buildup continues in the Middle East.

[Foreign Correspondent]

With the region on the brink of direct conflict. European countries including Poland have started to warn their citizens in Iran to exit the country as soon as possible. And Israel's prime minister tonight is issuing a new warning to the Iranian regime.

[Israeli Prime Minister]

We are prepared for every scenario. And one thing is certain. If the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will receive a response that they cannot even imagine.

[Foreign Correspondent]

Here in Israel, the home front command has not issued any special guidelines to civilians, but the military remains on high alert.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox Israel yanked in Tel Aviv earlier.

[Fox News Anchor]

President Trump chairing the first meeting of the Board of Peace, the next step in the Gaza rebuilding plan.

[Reporter]

And the president announced the U.S. is pledging $10 billion to this organization while member nations contributing more than 7 billion. And seven nations now contribute committing troops and police for an international stabilization force.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Aisha Hosny at the White House

[Fox News Anchor]

just getting word that New Mexico's attorney general has reopened an investigation into allegations of illegal activity at Jeffrey Epstein's former Zorro ranch. That probe follows a review of Epstein files recently released. New Mexico's original case involving the ranch was closed in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York, where Epstein died while awaiting a sex trafficking trial.

[Lisa Brady]

America is listening to FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of

[Podcast Narrator]

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.

[Fox News Anchor]

Britain's former Prince Andrew released by police in the UK after being arrested earlier today on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This over Jeffrey Epstein emails suggesting he may have passed confidential information while working as a UK Trade envoy.

[King Charles]

King Charles, who last year stripped Andrew of his royal titles and forced him to move home, has issued a statement. He says the authorities have his full support and the law must take its course. Andrew denies all allegations of wrongdoing.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jonathan Savage Andrew is the king's younger brother.

[Fox News Anchor]

A Virginia judge just temporarily blocking a redistricting effort by Democrats hoping to flip four congressional seats this fall. The Democrat plan to redraw congressional maps is supposed to head to voters in April. A group of Republicans, including the Republican National Committee, suing in an effort to stop that vote. A temporary restraining order is now granted. A federal commission signs off on President Trump's plans for a White house Ballroom, the U.S. commission of Fine Arts granting its approval.

[Jared Halpern]

All seven members of the commission were appointed by President Trump, and all but one approved the proposal. Committee member James McCreary abstained since he was an architect for the project. Construction is already underway. The White House East Wing was demolished as part of the project, sparking a lawsuit from preservationists. President Trump says the cost of the new ballroom estimated the total as much as $400 million is being raised through private donations. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Fox News Anchor]

The National Capital Planning Commission is also

[Lisa Brady]

expected to vote on the project.

[Fox News Anchor]

More than 44 minutes into overtime, the US women win hockey gold at the Winter Olympics in Milan, beating Canada two to one. On Wall Street, a down day, the

[Lisa Brady]

Dow dropping 267 points, the S&P down 19. The Nasdaq dropping 70. And Lisa Brady, Fox News.