8PM ET 05/24/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET 05/24/2026 Newscast

Host: Jack Callaghan (FOX News)
Date: May 25, 2026

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Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on major national and international news:

• Progress on a proposed US-Iran memorandum to end hostilities
• The impact of high gas prices on Memorial Day travel plans
• The legal battle over Texas' immigration law
• Controversy surrounding Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner's comments about a veteran

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding Negotiations

[00:02 – 00:58]

• President Trump's Announcement:
  President Trump outlines a potential timeline (5-7 days) for a memorandum with Iran to reduce hostilities.
• Social Media Statement:
  Trump addresses critics, emphasizing the deal isn’t finalized and referencing past failed attempts to resolve issues with Iran.
  • Quote:

    "It isn't even fully negotiated yet. So don't listen to the losers who are critical about something they don't know anything about. Unlike those before me who, who should have solved this problem many years ago. I don't make bad deals, exclamation point."
    — President Trump (paraphrased by Ashley Webster, 00:15)

• Terms of the Proposed Deal (per Axios):
  • Both nations would sign a 60-day memorandum (extendable).
  • Strait of Hormuz remains open, with no tolls; Iran agrees to clear mines.
  • US would lift its blockade of Iranian ports and grant some sanctions waivers to permit Iranian oil sales.
• Nuclear Program Exclusion:
  Despite US pressure, Iran asserts its nuclear program is not part of current negotiations.
  • White House Warning: No deal, no halt in military strikes.

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2. High Gas Prices Affect Memorial Day Travel

[00:58 – 01:55]

• Reduced Travel:
  Research shows 40% of Americans plan no travel this summer, with many opting to cut back on other expenses if they do travel.
  • Quote:

    "The fun money goes towards the gas, I guess."
    — Unidentified Traveler (01:23)

• Traveler Survey Results:
  • 10% willing to cancel vacations outright due to fuel costs.
  • The average price per gallon hits $4.55, up from $3.19 last year.
• Travel Trends and Predictions:
  • Despite high prices, AAA predicts a record 45 million will travel during the holiday weekend.
  • Airbnb notes a trend toward “placations,” with travelers picking closer, more affordable destinations.

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3. Texas Immigration Law Legal Battle

[02:39 – 03:13]

• State Response to Federal Ruling:
  Texas is appealing a federal judge’s decision blocking parts of its new immigration law, which lets local/state police arrest suspected undocumented immigrants.
• Constitutional Arguments:
  Rep. Jody Arrington (R-TX) claims the Constitution (Article 1, Section 10) grants states power to defend against threats if the federal government falls short.
  • Quote:

    "They were careful to put a safeguard in place in Article 1, Section 10 that says if states are being invaded or if there's an endangerment or a threat to its citizens, they have the inherent right to defend themselves, to enforce the laws to secure their border."
    — Rep. Jody Arrington (02:58)

• Federal Concerns:
  The judge warns the law could allow states to sidestep federal authority; critics consider it extreme.
• Ongoing Legal Fight:
  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton seeks enforcement of the law as the case likely heads to the Supreme Court.

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4. Fallout from Senate Candidate’s Comments on Veteran

[03:13 – 04:21]

• Social Media Controversy:
  Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner faces criticism over a resurfaced Reddit comment mocking a US combat veteran, referencing a viral helmet-cam video.
  • Allegedly called the soldier "dumb" and questioned his fitness to survive.
  • Quote from Reddit post:

    "Poor marksmanship on the Taliban's part is the only reason this mouth breather made it home."
    — Graham Platner, quoting from June 2019 post (03:53)

• Platner Responds to Fox News:
  • Quote:

    "The infantry any attempt to say that I disrespect veterans is slanderous and offensive."
    — Graham Platner (03:41)

  • Dodges a direct apology when asked if one is owed.

    • "Do you know how many of my friends have Purple Hearts?"
      — Graham Platner (03:52)

• Veteran’s Reaction:
  The soldier targeted, Ted Daniels, lambasts Platner’s internet conduct.
  • Quote:

    "It's online. And that right there tells me, Graham, you're a coward."
    — Ted Daniels, US Army Veteran (04:21)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump's dismissal of critics and confidence in negotiation skills. (00:15)
• Direct connection between high gas prices and Americans’ travel sacrifices, with a traveler’s candid remark. (01:23)
• Rep. Arrington’s constitutional defense of Texas’ controversial law. (02:58)
• Senatorial candidate Platner’s controversial online comment and fraught responses under media scrutiny. (03:41–03:53)
• Purple Heart recipient Ted Daniels’ rebuke to Platner. (04:21)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:02 – 00:58: US-Iran deal prospects and terms
• 00:58 – 01:55: Gas prices disrupt summer travel plans
• 02:39 – 03:13: Texas immigration law and state vs. federal powers
• 03:13 – 04:21: Candidate defends and is criticized for insulting veteran online

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Conclusion

This concise newscast combines breaking diplomatic news, economic impacts on real Americans, the ongoing debate over states' rights in immigration, and a high-profile political controversy. Authentic voices—including elected officials, ordinary citizens, and a combat veteran—provide texture and immediacy to these rapidly developing stories.

Transcript

[Jack Callaghan]

Five to seven days. I'm Jack Callaghan. Fox News. President Trump's timeline to complete a memorandum of understanding with Iran to end hostilities. Fox's Ashley Webster reports from Tel Aviv.

[Ashley Webster]

President Trump taking to social media, quote, it isn't even fully negotiated yet. So don't listen to the losers who are critical about something they don't know anything about. Unlike those before me who, who should have solved this problem many years ago. I don't make bad deals, exclamation point. So according to Axios, both countries would sign a memorandum of understanding that would last 60 days but could be extended. And during that period, the Strait of Hormuz would be open with no tolls and Iran would agree to clear any mines that it has deployed. In exchange, the US Would lift its blockade on Iranian ports. Also issue some sanctions waivers to allow Iran to sell its oil.

[Jack Callaghan]

Iran has consistently refused calls to end its nuclear program and claims it is not part of the current negotiations. But the White House says no dust, no deal and warns they could resume military strikes. Many Americans are staying home this Memorial Day weekend because of high gas prices. As Fox's Caroline Shively reports, talker research

[Caroline Shively]

found that 4 in 10Americans won't travel anywhere this summer. Some who are hitting the road are skimping elsewhere.

[Unidentified Interviewee]

The fun money goes towards the gas, I guess.

[Caroline Shively]

A Bank of America study found that nearly 10% of travelers are actually canceling a summer vacation because of high gas prices. The national average for a gallon of Gas was at 455 at the start of the holiday weekend, according to Triple a, compared to 319 last year. Triple A is still predicting a record breaking 45 million Americans will fly or drive this weekend. Airbnb says a third of summer travelers are staying closer to home to save, noting the trend of placations staying at cheaper fun spots like rural retreats.

[Jack Callaghan]

America is listening to Fox News.

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[Jack Callaghan]

Texas is appealing a federal court ruling that blocked parts of a law allowing state and local police to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants. On the Fox Report, Republican Congressman Jody Arrington argue the state's enforcement power is already backed by the Constitution. Ahead of an anticipated Supreme Court showdown.

[Jody Arrington]

They were careful to put a safeguard in place in Article 1, Section 10 that says if states are being invaded or if there's an endangerment or a threat to its citizens, they have the inherent right to defend themselves, to enforce the laws to secure their border.

[Jack Callaghan]

The federal judge blocked that law, warning it would let states bypass federal authority. While critics call the measure extreme, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants the law to take effect while the legal battle plays out. Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is receiving backlash for comments he posted on social media about a veteran's combat experience. Fox's CB Cotton reports Plotner dodged the question when Fox News Digital confronted him about those remarks.

[Graham Platner]

The infantry any attempt to say that I disrespect veterans is slanderous and offensive.

[Fox News Reporter]

Do you think you owe him an apology?

[Graham Platner]

Do you know how many of my friends have Purple Hearts?

[Caroline Shively]

The latest remarks is a post reportedly from June 2019 and in which Platner appears to mock a US soldier, calling him dumb and saying he didn't deserve to live. Quote poor marksmanship on the Taliban's part is the only reason this mouth breather made it home. The Reddit comment referencing a viral video from the helmet cam of a Private First Class Ted Daniels, who received a Purple Heart after taking Taliban enemy fire back in 2012.

[Jack Callaghan]

The comments were archived by the state news outlet, the Main monitor, Daniels, the veteran in question, telling the Fox Business Network in part, it's online. And that right there tells me, Graham, you're a coward. I'm Jack Kelly, Fox News.

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