7AM ET 02/25/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 7AM ET 02/25/2026

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: Dave Anthony (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: February 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

This newscast delivers a rapid rundown of the top national headlines from the preceding 24 hours, with a strong focus on President Donald Trump’s record-length State of the Union address, major legal news, partisan reactions in Washington, and brief updates on Wall Street and sports.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Record-Long State of the Union (00:02–01:39)

• Historic Duration: Trump delivered an unprecedentedly long State of the Union address—almost 1 hour and 48 minutes.

  • Dave Anthony: “A record State of the Union. I'm Dave Anthony. Almost 1 hour, 48 minutes.” [00:02]

• Central Themes:

  • Trump declared the nation is in a “golden age” and proclaimed the state of the union to be “strong.”
    • President Trump: “You've seen nothing yet. We're going to do better and better and better. This is the golden age of America.” [00:10]
    • President Trump: “Our border is secure. Our spirit is restored. Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast.” [00:18]

• Tariffs and the Supreme Court:

  • Trump criticized the Supreme Court for overturning most of his tariffs and assured that new, stronger tariffs are already in place without needing further Congressional action.
    • President Trump: “It's already time tested and approved.” [00:39]

• Immigration Crackdown:

  • Continued tough rhetoric on illegal immigration, promising stricter penalties for officials who resist federal law enforcement, while calling out sanctuary cities.
    • President Trump: “…protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who blocked the removal of criminal in many cases, drug lords, murderers all over our country.” [00:50]
  • Notably, some Democrats vocally protested during the speech, and more than 70 boycotted altogether.

• Foreign Policy—Iran:

  • Trump vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and warned of military action if negotiations stall.
    • President Trump: “I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can't let that happen.” [01:30]

• Honoring Special Guests—Olympic Hockey Team:

  • The men’s gold medal Olympic hockey team was acknowledged, leading to an exuberant "USA, USA" chant.
    • President Trump: “The men's gold medal Olympic hockey team. Come on in.” [01:45]

2. Democratic Response to State of the Union (01:02–01:21)

• Key Statement:
  • Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the formal response, accusing President Trump of dishonesty and distraction.
    • Ainsley Earhardt (quoting Spanberger): “Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? We all know the answer is no.” [01:11]
  • The boycott and vocal opposition highlighted continued partisan divides surrounding Trump’s policies.

3. Legal Updates: IRS Data Sharing and Postal Service Ruling (02:32–03:18)

• IRS Data Sharing with ICE:

  • A federal appeals panel declined to block an agreement allowing the IRS to share data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify undocumented immigrants.
    • Jack Callahan: “It allows the IRS to share with Immigration and Customs Enforcement data, which can help identify people living and working in the country illegally. Court ruling the information being shared isn't covered by the IRS privacy statute.” [02:40]
  • The ruling was viewed as a legal victory for the Trump administration’s enforcement agenda.

• Supreme Court-Poastal Service Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court sided with the Postal Service in a 5–4 decision, shielding it from lawsuits over the intentional non-delivery of mail, even in alleged cases of racial prejudice.
    • Lisa Brady: “Justice Clarence Thomas writes for a conservative majority that a federal law shielding the Postal Service from missing or lost mail also includes the intentional non delivery of mail.” [03:23]
    • Justice Sotomayor, in dissent, argued the rule should not cover malicious withholding of mail.

4. Financial and Sports Briefs (04:05–04:27)

• Wall Street:

  • Stocks posted a recovery after previous losses. Dow up 370 points, NASDAQ up 236.
    • Dave Anthony: “The Dow gained 370 points. The NASDAQ went up 236.” [04:05]

• Sports:

  • In NCAA basketball, Duke dominated Notre Dame by 44 points, marking ND’s worst home defeat since 1898.
    • Dave Anthony: “…the top ranked men's team, Duke, blew out Notre Dame by 44 points, 156, the worst home loss for the Irish since 1898, Notre Dame's first year playing basketball right after the game was invented.” [04:21]

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Notable Quotes

• President Donald Trump:

  • “You've seen nothing yet. We're going to do better and better and better. This is the golden age of America.” [00:10]
  • “Our border is secure. Our spirit is restored. Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast.” [00:18]
  • “It's already time tested and approved.” [00:39]
  • “I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can't let that happen.” [01:30]
  • “The men's gold medal Olympic hockey team. Come on in.” [01:45]

• Ainsley Earhardt (quoting Democratic response):

  • “Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? We all know the answer is no.” [01:11]

• Jack Callahan (on IRS data sharing):

  • “It allows the IRS to share with Immigration and Customs Enforcement data, which can help identify people living and working in the country illegally. Court ruling the information being shared isn't covered by the IRS privacy statute.” [02:40]

• Lisa Brady (on Supreme Court mail ruling):

  • “Justice Clarence Thomas writes for a conservative majority that a federal law shielding the Postal Service from missing or lost mail also includes the intentional non delivery of mail.” [03:23]

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Memorable Moments

• The raucous “USA, USA!” chant as the Olympic hockey heroes took the spotlight (01:51).
• The harsh split and boycotting of the State of the Union by over 70 Democrats (01:02).
• Contentious Supreme Court rulings reflecting deep national policy divides (03:23).

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• State of the Union Recap: 00:02–01:39
• Democratic Response: 01:02–01:21
• US–Iran Tensions: 01:21–01:39
• Honor for Olympic Team: 01:39–01:51
• IRS–ICE Data Sharing Case: 02:32–03:18
• Supreme Court–Postal Service Ruling: 03:18–04:05
• Market & Sports Update: 04:05–04:27

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Summary in Brief

This newscast captures a pivotal night in US politics, pitting Trump’s populist confidence and policy victories against strong criticism and legal battles. The coverage moves quickly, detailing both legislative drama and judicial decisions, while closing with flashes of financial optimism and sports history. This episode offers a snapshot of the fast-evolving American news landscape in an election year.

Transcript

[Dave Anthony]

This is a FOX News alert. A record State of the Union. I'm Dave Anthony. Almost 1 hour, 48 minutes.

[President Donald Trump]

You've seen nothing yet. We're going to do better and better and better. This is the golden age of America.

[Dave Anthony]

President Trump calling the state of our union strong today.

[President Donald Trump]

Our border is secure. Our spirit is restored. Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast.

[Dave Anthony]

And with some Supreme Court justices seated in front of them, the president called their ruling last week striking down most of his tariffs unfortunate. Then he said his new ones are even stronger, claiming congressional action will not be necessary.

[President Donald Trump]

It's already time tested and approved.

[Dave Anthony]

The president also touted his immigration crackdown, removing criminals here illegally, though some Democrats shouted back at him as he promised to crack down on sanctuary cities that

[President Donald Trump]

protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who blocked the removal of criminal in many cases, drug lords, murderers all over our country.

[Dave Anthony]

More than 70 Democrats didn't even show up boycotting the Trump speech. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the formal Democratic response saying he lied, scapegoated and distracted.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? We all know the answer is no.

[Dave Anthony]

President Trump also brought up Iran ahead of another round of indirect talks between the US And Iran tomorrow as he threatens military action again. If they don't agree, agree to a nuclear deal.

[President Donald Trump]

I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can't let that happen.

[Dave Anthony]

Well, there was a lot of applause for special guests honored by the president last night as well. And this got maybe the biggest cheer.

[President Donald Trump]

The men's gold medal Olympic hockey team. Come on in.

[Dave Anthony]

And that led to a usa, USA chant as the players wearing their gold medals appeared. America's listening to Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

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[Dave Anthony]

Before President Trump and Democrats shouted at each other during his State of the Union about his illegal immigration crackdown. A Trump legal victory for the IRS.

[Jack Callahan]

A three judge panel for the federal appeals court for the D.C. circuit declining to issue a preliminary injunction to an immigrant rights group suing the federal government over the data sharing agreement signed last year by Treasury Secretary Besant and Homeland Security Secretary Noemi. It allows the IRS to share with Immigration and Customs Enforcement data, which can help identify people living and working in the country illegally. Court ruling the information being shared isn't covered by the IRS privacy statute. The acting IRS commissioner resigned last year over that data sharing deal. Jack Callahan, Fox News A win for

[Dave Anthony]

the post office at the Supreme Court after justices stamped down a lawsuit.

[Lisa Brady]

The justice is ruling against a black Texas landlord who says her mail was intentionally withheld for two years, also claiming racial prejudice played a role in the 5, 4 decision. Justice Clarence Thomas writes for a conservative majority that a federal law shielding the Postal Service from missing or lost mail also includes the intentional non delivery of mail. Justice Sonia Sotomayor's dissent argues lawsuit protection does not extend to not delivering mail for malicious reasons. The Trump administration had warned a ruling in favor of the landlord could lead to many more lawsuits against the Postal Service, which remains in debt. The Texas landlord, who filed numerous complaints with postal officials before suing, says the dispute led to tenants missing important mail and moving out. Lisa Brady, Fox News On Wall street

[Dave Anthony]

stock futures are up modestly the day after a rebound clawed back some of the Dow's losses from a Monday plunge. The Dow gained 370 points. The NASDAQ went up 236. In college basketball, the top ranked men's team, Duke, blew out Notre Dame by 44 points, 156, the worst home loss for the Irish since 1898, Notre Dame's first year playing basketball right after the game was invented.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

I'm Dave Anthony, this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the

[Dave Anthony]

52 episode PodC series the Life of 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.