8PM ET 04/12/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 8PM ET 04/12/2026

Date: April 13, 2026
Host: Ron Trustee Stern
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Episode Theme: The episode covers major breaking news, including a U.S. naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a political upset in Hungary, updates on the Artemis 2 lunar mission, and a developing scandal in California’s gubernatorial race.

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Main Theme

This newscast delivers concise, urgent updates on developing world events, politics, space exploration, and U.S. domestic issues. The top stories include President Trump’s announcement of a U.S. blockade at the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran; the ousting of Hungary’s long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orban; the triumphant return of Artemis 2 astronauts; and sexual assault allegations upending Eric Swalwell’s California gubernatorial campaign.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Naval Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

[00:03 – 01:00]

• Announcement: President Trump declares a full U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, set to commence at 10 AM Eastern Time the next day.
• Details (Mike Tobin reporting from Tel Aviv):
  • The blockade targets ships originating from Iranian ports.
  • Vessels from non-Iranian ports are exempt from interception.
  • Early demining efforts are underway, and a 'safe path' for commercial ships will be shared with mariners.
  • Iran’s Revolutionary Guard asserts control over the strait and threatens to view any warship entry as a ceasefire violation.
• Quote:
  • President Trump (with Maria Bartiromo):

    "We're putting on a complete blockade. We're not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people that they don't like or whatever it is. It's going to be all or none." (President Trump, [00:49])

• Background: The blockade follows failed diplomatic talks in Pakistan.

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2. Hungarian Election Upset

[01:03 – 01:45]

• Outcome: Viktor Orban, after 16 years in power and long considered an ally to both Trump and Putin, loses to Peter Magyar.
• Implications: Magyar pledges to strengthen ties with the EU and NATO.
• Reaction:
  • EU President Ursula von der Leyen's statement:

    "Europe's heart is beating stronger. In Hungary tonight."

• Additional Context: Orban had impeded Ukraine’s NATO bid; his defeat is seen as a shift towards Western alliances.

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3. Sports Update

[01:45]

• Highlight: Rory McIlroy wins the Masters for the second consecutive year.

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4. Artemis 2 Lunar Mission Return

[03:02 – 03:51]

• Coverage by Madison Scarpino:
  • The four-member Artemis 2 crew returns after a record-breaking 10-day lunar mission, with a celebrated homecoming at Johnson Space Center.
  • Commander Reed Wiseman expresses gratitude to family and reflects on the emotional journey.
  • The mission marks the deepest human voyage into space to-date.
• Quote:
  • Reed Wiseman:

    "This was not easy being 200,000 plus miles away from home. Like before you launch, it feels like it's the greatest dream on earth. And when you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human and it's a special thing to be on planet Earth." (Reed Wiseman, [03:27])

• Finishing Note: The crew returned safely with a flawless Pacific splashdown.

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5. Eric Swalwell Scandal & California Gubernatorial Campaign Collapse

[03:51 – 04:46]

• Reporting by Matt Gordon (from LA):
  • Eric Swalwell’s bid for California governor collapses after multiple sexual misconduct allegations.
  • All major campaign endorsements evaporate within 24 hours.
  • While Swalwell hasn't publicly withdrawn, Republican Steve Hilton claims sources tell him Swalwell’s exit is imminent.
• Quote:
  • Steve Hilton:

    "He is going to be dropping out. That's not confirmed yet. But that's what's coming into me from the Democrats who are sick of this guy because he is embarrassing them." (Steve Hilton, [04:24])

• Legal Developments:
  • Four women have accused Swalwell of misconduct; at least one alleges sexual assault while intoxicated.
  • Manhattan DA’s office is investigating.
  • Swalwell denies all allegations, suggesting potential political motivations.

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Notable Quotes

• President Trump on the Strait Blockade:

  "We're putting on a complete blockade. We're not going to let Iran make money on selling oil… It's going to be all or none." (President Trump, [00:49])

• Commander Reed Wiseman on Artemis 2 Mission:

  "When you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human and it's a special thing to be on planet Earth." (Reed Wiseman, [03:27])

• Steve Hilton on Swalwell Scandal:

  "He is going to be dropping out… that's what's coming into me from the Democrats who are sick of this guy because he is embarrassing them." (Steve Hilton, [04:24])

• Ursula von der Leyen on Hungary's Election Result:

  "Europe's heart is beating stronger. In Hungary tonight." (Ursula von der Leyen, [01:20])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S. Announces Strait of Hormuz Blockade – [00:03–01:00]
• Hungarian Election: Orban Defeated – [01:03–01:45]
• Masters Golf Tournament Update – [01:45]
• Artemis 2 Crew Returns Home – [03:02–03:51]
• Eric Swalwell’s Campaign Collapse – [03:51–04:46]

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Memorable Moments

• The gravity of President Trump’s direct language about halting Iran’s oil trade.
• The emotional homecoming described by Artemis 2 astronauts, especially their gratitude for the human experience and connections.
• The rapid unraveling of Eric Swalwell’s political career in real time, accompanied by political and legal repercussions.

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This episode delivers rapid-fire, high-impact updates on global security, political upheaval, space discovery, and scandal, reflecting the dynamic and at-times combative tone of Fox News reporting. Each segment gives a snapshot of significant ongoing stories, balanced between international affairs, American political drama, and inspirational achievements in science.

Transcript

[Ron Trustee Stern]

The US Blockade. I'm Ron Trustee Stern. Fox News. President Trump says the US Will conduct its own blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. And U.S. central Command now says it will begin tomorrow morning at 10 Eastern Time. Fox's Mike Tobin with more from Tel Aviv.

[Mike Tobin]

The blockade will involve stopping any ships that come out of Iranian ports or Iranian coastal areas. US Ships will not be stopping vessels traveling from non Iranian ports. The early stages of demining the strait has begun and information about a safe, safe path through the strait will be communicated to commercial mariners. Now. Iran's Revolutionary Guard put out a defiant statement that the Strait of Hormuz is now under their control. Any warship approaching the strait will be seen as a breach of the ceasefire and will be dealt with strongly. President Trump told Maria Bartiromo details of the naval blockade.

[President Trump]

We're putting on a complete blockade. We're not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people that they don't like or whatever it is. It's going to be all or none.

[Mike Tobin]

The announcement of the blockade came after talks in Pakistan failed to produce an agreement.

[Ron Trustee Stern]

Agreement, a loss for Viktor Orban, the Hungarian leader who managed to become an ally of both President Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

[Fox News Reporter]

After 16 years, Viktor Orban's been ousted from power by Hungarian voters. Orban's opponent, Peter Magyar has been pledging to rebuild Hungary's relationships with the European Union and NATO. EU President Ursula von der Leyen congratulating Magyar with a statement saying Europe's heart is beating stronger. In Hungary tonight, Orban had been endorsed by President Trump. And the Hungarian leader was also seen as a loyalist to Russia's Vladimir Putin who would never allow Ukraine to join NATO till NATO. Fox News.

[Ron Trustee Stern]

And in sports, Rory McIlroy wins the Masters for the second year in a row. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Ron Trustee Stern]

The Artemis 2 astronauts are speaking about their 10 day trip around the moon which ended Friday. Fox's Madison Scarpino with more.

[Madison Scarpino]

The world got to witness a historic mission and the crew got a hero's welcome at Johnson Space center yesterday. Commander Reed Wiseman says he and pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Cook and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen are now bonded forever. And he gave a lot of thanks to his family.

[President Trump]

This was not easy being 200,000 plus miles away from home like before you launch, it feels like it's the greatest dream on earth. And when you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human and it's a special thing to be on planet Earth.

[Madison Scarpino]

The crew traveling deeper into space than any other humans before. It was a record breaking trip around the moon.

[Ron Trustee Stern]

It was a flawless splashdown in the Pacific Ocean with all four astronauts returning safely to Earth. A complete campaign collapse for the California Democratic congressman running for governor now facing sexual assault allegations. Fox's Matt Gordon in la.

[Matt Gordon]

Eric Swalwell's campaign for California governor appears to be in free fall with the congressman losing all of his major endorsements within the span of about 24 hours. Swalwell has given no public indication that he'll drop out of the race, but Republican candidate for governor Steve Hilton says he's heard that soon could be happening.

[President Trump]

He is going to be dropping out. That's not confirmed yet. But that's what's coming into me from the Democrats who are sick of this guy because he is embarrassing them.

[Matt Gordon]

Meanwhile, this could also become a criminal matter with four women coming forward with accusations of sexual misconduct and at least one of them alleging that Swalwell sexually assaulted her while she was too intoxicated to consent.

[Ron Trustee Stern]

The Manhattan DA's office says it's investigating. Swalwell denies the allegations, claiming they may have been politically motivated. I'm Roger Stern and this is FOX News.

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