8PM ET 05/17/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET 05/17/2026 Newscast

Date: May 18, 2026
Host: Paul Stevens (FOX News Podcasts)
Episode Overview:
This episode delivers a concise update on major national and international headlines, including rising U.S.–Iran tensions, primary politics in Kentucky, a major prayer rally in Washington, averted tragedy at an Idaho air show, Ukraine’s large-scale drone strike on Russia, and a new Ebola outbreak in Africa.

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Main Themes and Headlines

• Fragile U.S.–Iran ceasefire and President Trump’s recent warnings
• Political battles within the GOP focusing on Kentucky’s primaries
• Nationwide prayer rally held in Washington, D.C.
• Air show incident in Idaho where disaster was narrowly avoided
• Ukraine’s largest drone assault on Moscow amid ongoing war with Russia
• World Health Organization’s emergency declaration on an Ebola outbreak in Africa

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.–Iran Ceasefire on Edge and President Trump’s Stance

[00:03–00:47]

• Situation: The already-delicate ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran appears at risk.
• Presidential Warning: President Trump posts a warning to Iran on Truth Social, saying "the clock is ticking and that they better act fast.”
  • Alex Hogan reports:

    “Fox's Alex Hogan in D.C. president Trump posting on Truth Social a warning to Iran saying the clock is ticking and that they better act fast.” (00:13)

  • Analysts question Iran’s real intentions in negotiations.
• Upcoming National Security Meeting: Axios reports the president will meet his top national security team Tuesday.
• U.S.–China Relations: Following his recent trip to China, Trump’s administration unveils new boards for U.S.-China government-to-government trade and investment.

2. Political Battle in Kentucky GOP Primaries

[00:47–01:44]

• Trump Targets Massie: Trump is actively seeking to oust Rep. Thomas Massie and publicly criticizes him:

  “President Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday calling Massey, quote, the worst Republican congressman in history.” – Gernal Scott (01:00)

• Massie Responds on ABC:

  “How did this race become the most expensive race in the history of Congress for a primary? It's because three billionaires from outside of Kentucky have funneled millions of dollars in here. They're trying to buy a seat.” – Rep. Thomas Massie (01:19)

• Contested Issues: Massie’s record includes voting against the “one big beautiful bill” and for the release of the Epstein files.
• Endorsements: Trump endorses Massie’s challenger, Ed Gallrein.

3. Prayer Rally on the National Mall

[01:44–01:57]

• Thousands gather in D.C. for a day-long prayer rally described as a “rededication of our country as one nation under God.”

  "The event Sunday billed as a rededication of our country as one nation under God." – Paul Stevens (01:44)

4. Air Show Crash in Idaho—No Fatalities

[02:39–03:13]

• Incident: Two Navy jets crash during Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home AFB.
• Outcome: All four crew members eject safely, averting tragedy; this is the first event since a fatal 2018 accident.

  “Rescue crews responding following the crash... The four crew members did eject safely.” – Paul Stevens (02:39)

5. Large-Scale Ukrainian Drone Attack on Moscow

[03:13–03:57]

• Scale of Attack: Over 1,000 Ukrainian drones reportedly downed by Russia in 24 hours.
• Casualties: At least four killed, per city’s mayor.
• Ukrainian President’s Statement: Zelensky claims Ukraine struck targets over 300 miles into Russia.

  "...our responses to Russia's prolongation of the war and its attacks on our cities and communities are entirely justified...this is a clear signal that one should not pick a fight with Ukraine." – President Zelensky (03:13)

• Retaliation: Russia has conducted a week of intense attacks on Ukraine, launching thousands of drones and aerial bombs.
• Casualties of Russian Attacks: At least 52 dead and over 340 injured in Ukraine.

6. Ebola Outbreak Declared in Africa

[03:57–04:36]

• WHO Declaration: An Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda is now a "public health emergency of international concern."
• Statistics: Over 300 suspected cases, 88 deaths, no approved treatments or vaccines.

  "The WHO's emergency declaration aiming to prompt international action, although the response to past declarations has been mixed at best." – Paul Stevens (03:57)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump’s direct warning to Iran:

  “The clock is ticking and that they better act fast.” (00:13, reported by Alex Hogan)

• Thomas Massie on campaign spending:

  “Three billionaires from outside of Kentucky have funneled millions of dollars in here. They're trying to buy a seat.” (01:19, Rep. Massie)

• President Zelensky on Ukraine’s drone attack:

  "Our responses to Russia's prolongation of the war and its attacks on our cities and communities are entirely justified...this is a clear signal that one should not pick a fight with Ukraine." (03:13)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S.–Iran Ceasefire Update & Trump’s China Trip: 00:03 – 00:47
• Kentucky Primary Battle: 00:47 – 01:44
• National Mall Prayer Rally: 01:44 – 01:57
• Idaho Air Show Crash: 02:39 – 03:13
• Ukraine Drone Assault on Russia: 03:13 – 03:57
• Ebola Outbreak Emergency Declaration: 03:57 – 04:36

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Summary

This rapid-fire update highlights the most pressing news of the day with clear attributions and impactful soundbites, spanning geopolitics, domestic political skirmishes, public gatherings, military incidents, and emerging health crises. For listeners, it delivers both headlines and deeper context in a brisk, informative style true to FOX News Radio’s tone.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

Some key days coming up. I'm Paul Stevens, Fox News. The tenuous cease fire between the U.S. and Iran could be in danger again. Fox's Alex Hogan in D.C. president Trump

[Alex Hogan]

posting on Truth Social a warning to Iran saying the clock is ticking and that they better act fast. It comes amid this delicate cease fire between Washington and Tehran. And some analysts argue that there's questions and concerns over what Iran would want out of a deal. Axios today reporting that the president is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting with top national security team members on Tuesday. And following his high stakes visit to China this past week. The White House today announcing the creation of a board of trade and a board of investment to allow government to government channels between the world's two largest economies.

[Paul Stevens]

And the president also speaking today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Iran situation primaries in Kentucky this week as the president continues to seek the ouster of Republican Congressman Thomas Massie.

[Gernal Scott]

President Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday calling Massey, quote, the worst Republican congressman in history. On ABC's this Week, Congressman Massie said he wasn't concerned over GOP Senator Bill Cassidy's loss in Louisiana Saturday and alleged that well financed opposition has gotten involved.

[Congressman Thomas Massie]

How did this race become the most expensive race in the history of Congress for a primary? It's because three billionaires from outside of Kentucky have funneled millions of dollars in here. They're trying to buy a seat.

[Gernal Scott]

President Trump endorsed Massie's opponent Ed Gallrein. Massie has seen the anger by voting against the one big beautiful bill and voting for the release of the Epstein files. Gernal Scott, FOX News and thousands of

[Paul Stevens]

people meeting earlier today on the national mall in D.C. for a day long prayer rally. The event Sunday bill does a rededication of our country as one nation under God, quote unquote. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Paul Stevens]

a tragedy averted at an air show in Idaho today. Rescue crews responding following the crash of two Navy jets during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force base. Organizers say the four crew members did eject safely. The Air Force Thunderbirds headline the show. This was the first time the Gunfighter Skies show had been held in eight years. At the event in 2018, a hang glider pilot died in an accident there. Ukraine carrying out one of its largest drone drone attacks on the Russian capital, killing at least four people. Fox's Stephanie Bennett in London.

[Stephanie Bennett]

Russian defenses shot down 81 drones heading towards Moscow. That's according to the city's mayor. Russia's Defense Ministry said by midday more than a thousand Ukrainian drones had been downed in the past 24 hours. President Zelensky confirmed the overnight attacks and he wrote on X that, quote, our responses to Russia's prolongation of the war and its attacks on our cities and communities are entirely justified, adding that Ukraine was able to strike targets for more than 300 miles from the border tonight. He also said, quote, this is a clear signal that one should not pick a fight with Ukraine. Of course, it comes after a heavy week of attacks by Russia who launched more than 3100 drones and 1300 guided aerial bombs and 74 missiles against Ukraine.

[Paul Stevens]

And connected to those Russian attacks. At least 52 people were killed, more than 340 injured. Russia holding its annual victory day parade last week, notably though scaled back. And the World Health Organization declaring an Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. There are more than 300 suspected cases, 88 deaths reported. The virus has no approved treatment or vaccines. The WHO's emergency declaration aiming to prompt international action, although the response to past declarations has been mixed at best. I'm Paul Stevens. This is FOX News.

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