Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 7AM ET 02/20/2026 Newscast
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: February 20, 2026

Overview

This tightly-packed news update covers President Trump’s latest ultimatum to Iran, ongoing military build-up in the Middle East, new initiatives toward Gaza's reconstruction, political controversy around a governors’ breakfast, Trump’s promise to declassify UFO files, his latest efforts to champion the US economy, the death of actor Eric Dane, and major American victories at the Winter Olympics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tensions with Iran Escalate

President Trump Issues Ultimatum:
- Trump gives Iran “10 to 15 days” to make a deal curbing its nuclear and weapons programs or face consequences.
  - Quote: “Well, we’re going to make a deal or we’re going to get a deal one way or the other.” – President Trump [00:08]
- If Iran refuses, Trump hints at military action similar to the previous year’s joint US-Israel strike on Iranian nuclear sites.
US-Military Presence Grows Near Israel:
- The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier and 3 destroyers are moving closer, bringing the total US warship count to 12 in the area.
- Over 150 military cargo flights have delivered weapons and air defense systems. Dozens of fighter jets are ready.
  - Analysis: “Experts say the United States will this weekend have the firepower in place to hit Iran where it hurts.” [00:24]

2. Gaza Reconstruction Board and US Aid

Peace Efforts Linked to Gaza:
- At his first Board of Peace meeting, Trump stresses rebuilding Gaza after Israel’s war with Hamas.
  - Quote: “We work together to ensure the brighter future for the people of Gaza, Gaza, the Middle east and the entire world.” – President Trump [00:59]
- The US pledges $10 billion; other countries offer $7 billion plus a peacekeeping force.

3. Governors’ Breakfast Controversy

Selective Invitations Cause Rift:
- The National Governors Association declines to participate in a presidential breakfast after Trump snubs two Democratic governors (Jared Polis of Colorado & Wes Moore of Maryland) due to personal objections.
  - Quote: “It could not be part of a meeting that does not welcome all governors.” – NGA statement [01:17]
- Trump on Truth Social: he felt those governors “were not worthy of attending.”

4. UFO Files Disclosure Promise

Trump Plans Release of Alien/UFO Documents:
- On Truth Social, Trump announces he’ll start the process of identifying and releasing government files on UFOs and aliens, calling it “extremely interesting and important.”
  - Context: Comes days after Barack Obama stated on a podcast that aliens are “real, but he hasn’t seen them.” [01:41]

5. Economy & Tariffs

Trump’s Economic Messaging in Georgia:
- After dining at a Rome, GA restaurant and touring a steel facility, Trump rails against Supreme Court delays impacting his ability to enact tariffs.
  - Quote: “Without tariffs, what would you do? You know what? Everybody would be bankrupt. Everybody, the whole country would be bankrupt. And I have to wait for this decision. I’ve been waiting forever.” – President Trump [02:53]
- He stresses tax cuts and the “big beautiful bill” have spurred investment and economic growth.
  - Quote: “I want affordability. I had to go out and talk about it.” – President Trump [03:06]
- New economic figures, including fourth-quarter growth and an inflation report, are anticipated.

6. Obituary: Eric Dane

Passing of Actor Eric Dane (Age 53):
- Eric Dane, famous for roles in Grey’s Anatomy, The Last Ship, Euphoria, and Bad Boys: Ride or Die, has died from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
  - Details: “He revealed his ALS diagnosis last year, saying symptoms had already cost him full use of his right arm. Despite that, he continued working and speaking out to raise awareness about the disease.” – Matt Murphy [03:43]
- Survived by wife Rebecca Gayheart and two daughters.

7. Winter Olympics Success

Two American Golds on Ice:
- Alyssa Liu wins women’s figure skating.
- US women’s hockey beats Canada 2:1 in overtime.
- Men’s semifinals up next, with Team USA facing Slovakia and Canada playing Finland; “all those teams stocked with NHL players.” [04:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Trump's ultimatum:
“We’re going to make a deal or we’re going to get a deal one way or the other.” [00:08]
On Gaza:
“We work together to ensure the brighter future for the people of Gaza, Gaza, the Middle east and the entire world.” [00:59]
On tariffs and the Supreme Court:
“Without tariffs, what would you do? You know what? Everybody would be bankrupt. Everybody, the whole country would be bankrupt. And I have to wait for this decision. I’ve been waiting forever.” [02:53]
Alien files disclosure:
Trump calls the possible release of UFO files “extremely interesting and important.” [01:41]
Tribute to Eric Dane:
“Despite that, he continued working and speaking out to raise awareness about the disease.” – Matt Murphy [03:43]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[00:02] – Iran ultimatum and potential US action
[00:52] – Gaza peace initiatives and aid
[01:17] – Governors’ breakfast controversy
[01:41] – UFO/alien files announcement
[02:32] – Trump’s economic focus (tariffs, tax cuts)
[03:35] – Eric Dane obituary
[04:13] – Winter Olympics American wins

This summary captures the main news items, direct quotes, and mood of the Fox News Hourly Update for swift and comprehensive review.

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Transcript25 lines

[00:03]
A
President Trump is giving Iran 10 to 15 days. I'm Dave Anthony, FOX News.
[00:09]
B
Well, we're going to make a deal or we're going to get a deal one way or the other.
[00:12]
A
As for the other, the president tells reporters on Air Force One, it's going to be unfortunate for Iran as he demands they make a deal to scale back their nuclear and weapons programs. Or he could attack like last year when the US Joined Israel, bombing Iran's nuclear facilities.
[00:25]
C
Experts say the United States will this weekend have the firepower in place to hit Iran where it hurts. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and three destroyers are moving towards the coast of Israel, bringing to a dozen the number of U.S. warships in the region. This week, more than 150 military cargo flights brought weapons and ammunition, including air defense, to repel an Iranian counterattack. Dozens of fighter jets are also ready for action.
[00:52]
A
Fox's Jonathan Savage President Trump also warned Iran at his first board of Peace meeting that focused on rebuilding Gaza after Israel's war on Hamas.
[01:00]
B
We work together to ensure the brighter future for the people of Gaza, Gaza, the Middle east and the entire world.
[01:05]
A
Announcing the US will give $10 billion to the board. Other countries give 7 billion for Gaza and commit a peacekeeping force. In a few hours, President Trump will have breakfast with some governors, but not all.
[01:17]
D
The National Governors association, in a statement to Fox News audio Thursday, said it could not be part of a meeting that does not welcome all governors. In a Truth Social post from last week, President Trump said he did not invite two Democratic governors to the breakfast, Colorado's Jared Pol and Maryland's Wes Moore, the NGA's vice chairman. The president added he felt they were not worthy of attending.
[01:42]
A
Fox's girl Scott the president also made news on Truth Social last night, posting he'll direct the government to begin the process of identifying and releasing files related to aliens and UFOs, calling it extremely interesting and important. Days after former President Obama told a podcast aliens are real, but he hasn't seen them, America's listening to Fox numb.
[02:03]
E
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[02:32]
A
In addition to Iran and aliens, President Trump also spent time yesterday focused on the economy, which Democrats claim he's made
[02:40]
F
worse after visiting a restaurant in Rome, Georgia, and touring a steel facility. The president then delivered remarks focusing initially on tariffs, expressing frustration that his future ability to impose emergency tariffs rests with the Supreme Court.
[02:53]
B
Without tariffs, what would you do? You know what? Everybody would be bankrupt. Everybody, the whole country would be bankrupt. And I have to wait for this decision. I've been waiting forever.
[03:04]
F
He had this to say about his critics, use of the word affordability.
[03:07]
B
I want affordability. I had to go out and talk about it.
[03:10]
F
The president highlighted the so called big beautiful bill, insisting tax cuts are boosting the economy now and spurring an increase in business investment. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.
[03:20]
A
We will get key updates to the economy next hour. How much growth there was in the fourth quarter and a new inflation report ahead of that. On Wall street, stock futures arising modestly. An actor is being mourned. Eric Dane has died at the age of 53 after battle with ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease.
[03:36]
G
Dane rose to fame in 2006 as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy, a role he held until 2012.
[03:42]
A
Are you new here?
[03:43]
G
Visiting, confounded by all the rain and it's only my first day in town. He later starred as Captain Tom Chandler on the Last Ship and appeared on HBO's Euphoria, along with a role in the film Bad Boys. Ride or Die. Dane revealed his ALS diagnosis last year, saying symptoms had already cost him full use of his right arm. Despite that, he continued working and speaking out to raise awareness about the disease. He survived by his wife, actress Rebecca Geheart, and their two daughters. Matt Murphy, FOX News.
[04:14]
A
At the Winter Olympics, two American gold medals on ice, Alyssa Liu in women's figure skating and the US women's hockey team beat Canada 2:1 in overtime. Today it's the men's semifinals, Team USA versus Slovakia, Canada against Finland, all those teams stocked with NHL players Ice Dave. I'm Dave Anthony.
[04:29]
H
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[04:44]
A
What do you have to lose?
[04:45]
H
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[04:49]
F
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