8PM ET 07/07/2025 Newscast

Summary

Podcast Summary: Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET 07/07/2025

Release Date: July 8, 2025

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The Fox News Hourly Update for the evening of July 7, 2025, delivered a comprehensive roundup of national and international events, encompassing natural disasters, international relations, political developments, and legal matters. Hosted by Tom Regatti and featuring reports from Mike Tobin and Griff Jenkins, the episode captured critical updates and in-depth analyses pertinent to a wide audience.

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1. Devastating Floods in Central Texas

Host: Tom Regatti
Reporter: Mike Tobin

The update opened with a poignant report on the ongoing search and rescue operations in Central Texas following catastrophic flooding that began on Friday. The disaster has tragically claimed the lives of at least 100 individuals, with extensive efforts underway to locate survivors amidst the debris.

• Rescue Operations:
  “400 rescuers from 20 different agencies searched debris and the Guadalupe River itself, hoping against the odds to find a survivor,” reported Mike Tobin at [00:15].

• Heroic Efforts:
  A standout moment highlighted the bravery of swimmer Scott Rushkin, credited with saving 165 lives during the floods.

• Survivors' Voices:
  An emotional recount from a young survivor captured at [00:34]:
  “Praise God,” she said upon being rescued from the raging waters.

Implications:
Officials are now scrutinizing the delayed warnings and the absence of effective escape routes, raising questions about disaster preparedness and governmental response.

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2. International Affairs and U.S. Foreign Policy

a. U.S. Deportations to El Salvador

Host: Tom Regatti

In a significant development, the government of El Salvador acknowledged to United Nations investigators that the Trump administration retains control over Venezuelan men deported from the U.S. to the infamous Salvadorian prison, Seekot Center. This revelation contradicts previous statements from officials in both El Salvador and the United States.

• Legal Challenges:
  Over 100 migrants' lawyers are contesting their deportation, arguing against their transfer to Seekot Center.

• Administration's Stance:
  The Trump administration maintains it lacked authority to repatriate the men, a point underscored in their communications.

b. U.S. Tariff Announcements to 14 Countries

Reporter: Unnamed
Host: Tom Regatti

In a move impacting global trade relations, the Trump administration issued letters to 14 countries, including South Korea, Japan, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia, outlining impending tariff increases effective August 1st.

• Tariff Details:
  Tariffs are set to rise between 25% to 40%.

• Presidential Statement:
  President Trump warned,
  “If for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs, then whatever the number you choose to raise them by will be added on to the 25%, 36%, or 40% that we charge,” as stated by the unnamed reporter at [01:21].

Impact:
These tariffs are expected to strain economic relations and potentially lead to reciprocal measures from the affected nations.

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3. Middle East Conflict and Diplomatic Efforts

Host: Tom Regatti
White House Spokesperson: Caroline Levitt

President Trump is actively engaging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the plight of hostages held by Hamas.

• Primary Objectives:
  “The utmost priority for the president right now in the Middle East is to end the war in Gaza and to return all of the hostages,” stated White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt at [02:37].

• Ceasefire Proposal:
  The latest proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release the remaining ten hostages and Israeli forces would withdraw to a designated buffer zone near Gaza’s border.

Regional Impact:
Efforts to broker peace are critical to stabilizing the region, with the international community closely monitoring the developments.

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4. Russian Political Turmoil

Host: Tom Regatti

In a surprising turn of events, Russia's Transport Minister was found dead from a gunshot wound in what appears to be a suicide, occurring shortly after President Vladimir Putin announced his dismissal. The Kremlin has not disclosed further details regarding the circumstances surrounding his removal.

Analysis:
This incident may indicate underlying tensions within the Russian government and could have broader implications for Russia's political stability.

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5. Political Insights: A New Book on Former President Biden

Reporter: Griff Jenkins
Host: Tom Regatti

A forthcoming exposé delves into former President Joe Biden’s unsuccessful bid for a second term, exploring the intertwining of his political endeavors with his son’s legal challenges.

• Book Highlights:
  “June 2024 was going to be a momentous month for Joe Biden's presidency,” the author reveals, detailing Biden's activities and personal concerns, including his focus on his son's legal troubles.

• Hunter Biden’s Role:
  The book alleges that Hunter Biden sought financial assistance from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to manage his escalating legal expenses.

Implications:
This publication is poised to reignite debates surrounding Biden’s administration and the influence of his family members in his political career.

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6. Legal Developments: Jeffrey Epstein Case

Host: Tom Regatti

In a significant update on the high-profile case of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, the Justice Department has confirmed that Epstein did not maintain a client list. This information emerges despite previous commitments by Attorney General Pam Bondi to release additional files related to Epstein’s sex trafficking investigations.

• Official Statement:
  No new public records will be made available, leaving many questions unanswered about the extent of Epstein’s illicit activities.

Public Reaction:
The lack of transparency is likely to fuel ongoing speculation and demands for further accountability within the legal system.

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Note:
Advertisements and promotional content, including repeated segments for LegalZoom, were excluded from this summary to focus solely on the substantive news coverage.

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This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update provided listeners with critical insights into pressing national tragedies, international diplomatic maneuvers, political intrigues, and ongoing legal controversies, ensuring that the audience remains well-informed on the events shaping the world.

Transcript

[Tom Regatti]

Grieving and searching. I'm Tom Regatti. FOX News. Search and rescue operations continue in Central Texas in the aftermath of deadly flooding that began Friday and at least 100 people are now reported dead. Fox's Mike Tobin is in Kerrville.

[Mike Tobin]

400 rescuers from 20 different agencies searched debris and the Guadalupe river itself, hoping against the odds to find a survivor. More than 850 people were rescued. Girls rescued from Camp mystic sang gospel songs when they got a look at the deadly raging waters.

[Unnamed Rescued Girl]

Praise God.

[Mike Tobin]

The Coast Guard lifted flood victims to dolphin helicopters and a heroic swimmer, Scott Rushkin, is credited with saving 165 people. Now officials are faced with questions about why people in Central Texas were not warned early enough and why the victims did not have escape routes.

[Tom Regatti]

The government of El Salvador has acknowledged to United nations investigators that the Trump administration maintains control of the Venezuelan men deported from the US To a notorious Salvadorian prison. That contradicts public statements by officials in both countries. Lawyers for more than 100 migrants are challenging their deportations to El Salvador's Seekot Center. The Trump administration has argued they were powerless to return the men. The Trump administration has sent letters to several countries that informs them of potential future tariff rates.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Here are the 14 countries that received these letters. They include South Korea, Japan, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and many more. And in the letter, the president outlines the tariff that these countries will have to pay starting August 1st. And they range from 25 to 40%. And in the letter, President Trump says if for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs, then whatever the number you choose to raise them by will be added on to the 25%, 36% or 40% that we charge.

[Tom Regatti]

It's Fox's Grady Trimble. America is listening to FOX News.

[Caroline Levitt]

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[Tom Regatti]

President Trump is once again hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

[Unnamed White House Spokesperson]

The utmost priority for the president right now in the Middle east is to end the war in Gaza and to return all of the hostages. Also, as you know, there was a ceasefire proposal that Israel supports that was sent to Hamas and we hope that they will agree to this proposal. We want to see all of the.

[Tom Regatti]

Hostages released, White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt. The most recent cease fire proposal would end fighting for 60 days. As part of the deal, the terror group Hamas would have to turn over the ten remaining living hostages. The plan also calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from to a buffer zone near Gaza's border. Authorities say Russia's transport minister was found dead from a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide. The statement about the death of the 53 year old came hours after the Kremlin announced he'd been dismissed by President Vladimir Putin. No details were given about the firing. A new tell all book about former President Biden goes into his failed bid for a second term and the political impact of a son. Hunter Fox's Griff Jenkins has more from Washington.

[Griff Jenkins]

The authors preview the book in the Wall street journal writing, June 2024 was going to be a momentous month for Joe Biden's presidency. Trips to France and Italy, a star studded fundraiser in Los Angeles with Barack Obama, George Clooney and Julia Roberts in the first debate against Don. But there was another matter at the top of the president's mind. As Biden confided to a close friend, the only thing I care about is that my son is not convicted. The book also claims Hunter Biden begged the DNC to cover his ballooning legal bills.

[Tom Regatti]

Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain a client list. That's according to the Justice Department. Officials say no more files related to his sex trafficking investigation will be made public. The comments come despite promises from Attorney General Pam Bondi. I'm Tom Rigotti. This is Fox News.

[Caroline Levitt]

Creating your own business is everything. Getting it registered in compliance, not so much. LegalZoom has everything you need to launch, run and protect your business all in one place. LegalZoom has already helped launch, run and protect millions of businesses. LegalZoom now you're in business. Get everything you need from setup to [e-mail] LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys and self service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice except for authorized through its subsidiary law firm LZ Legal Services llc.