Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET, July 18, 2025
Released on July 19, 2025
1. Legislative Victories and President Trump's White House Dinner
Timestamp: [00:02]
Lisa La Sara opens the newscast by highlighting recent legislative achievements. She reports that President Donald Trump is hosting a dinner for Republican lawmakers at the White House to celebrate these victories.
Quote:
Donald Trump: "I think we've done more in three nights. I've been calling people at 2:00 clock in the morning, sir. We have three hard nos. They said it's 2:30 in the morning. That's okay. That was an early one."
[00:10]
2. House Passes $9 Billion Spending Cuts Rescissions Package
Timestamp: [00:20]
Ryan Schmelz discusses a significant development in government spending. The House has passed a rescissions package that cuts $9 billion in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting. This move is seen as a precursor to further spending reductions aimed at decreasing the national deficit.
Key Points:
- The Trump administration views these cuts as essential for deficit reduction.
- Democrats oppose the cuts, claiming the funds were previously approved through a bipartisan agreement, which is now being disregarded.
- Rescission bills require only a simple majority to pass in both chambers.
3. Hostage Situation in Gaza and Diplomatic Efforts
Timestamp: [00:49]
Lisa La Sara reports on the ongoing hostage situation in Gaza, mentioning President Trump's announcement regarding the imminent release of additional hostages.
Quote:
Donald Trump: "We're going to have another 10 coming very shortly and we hope to have that finished pretty quickly."
[00:55]
The President commends Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for his negotiation efforts.
4. Justice Department Seeks Release of Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts
Timestamp: [01:03]
The Justice Department has filed a request for the release of grand jury transcripts related to the 2019 investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The decision to grant this request remains uncertain.
Ryan Schmelz comments on the matter:
Quote:
Ryan Schmelz: "Grand jury transcripts are highly protected. The administration's critics say those transcripts only represent a fraction of the evidence in the Epstein case."
[01:19]
5. Legal Challenge to President Trump's Lawsuit Against Bob Woodward
Timestamp: [01:27]
Rich Hudson reports on a federal court ruling that blocks President Trump from pursuing a nearly $50 million lawsuit against journalist Bob Woodward. The lawsuit was based on the publication of tapes from interviews Woodward conducted for his 2020 bestseller, "Rage," released as an audiobook.
Key Points:
- Woodward’s attorneys argued that the President cannot copyright interviews conducted as part of his official duties.
- No previous president has demanded royalties for publishing such interviews.
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6. Damage to Gaza Church and Papal Call for Peace
Timestamp: [02:30]
Lisa La Sara covers the unfortunate incident in Gaza where an Israeli shell accidentally damaged the only Catholic church in the region, resulting in three deaths and ten injuries, including a priest close to the Pope.
Report by Jessica Rosenthal:
- Incident Details: The Holy Family Church was unintentionally hit, leading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to apologize.
- Papal Response: Pope Leo XVI has called for an end to the conflict and personally spoke with Netanyahu following the strike.
- Diplomatic Visits: A Latin cardinal and a Greek Orthodox priest from Jerusalem visited the affected area.
- Hostage Situation: There are still 50 hostages in Gaza, with Israel believing that 23 are alive.
7. Public Perception of the "Big Beautiful Bill" and Its Impact on Different Income Groups
Timestamp: [03:12]
Lisa La Sara discusses a recent AP news poll revealing public opinions on the new tax law, often referred to as the "big beautiful bill."
Poll Findings:
- Approximately two-thirds of U.S. adults believe the tax law will benefit the wealthy.
- About six in ten think it will negatively impact low-income individuals more than it helps.
- Around half of the respondents feel the bill will harm the middle class more than it will benefit them.
8. Decline in Health Among American Children and Adults
Timestamp: [03:44]
Alexandria Hall reports on a new study indicating a steep decline in the health of American children, with adults also experiencing worsening health metrics. Life expectancy in the U.S. lags behind other high-income countries.
Key Points:
- Life Expectancy: According to the CDC, life expectancy is 81 years for women and 75 years for men, both lower than pre-pandemic levels.
- Preventative Tools: An increase in the use of apps like "Death Clock," which predicts users' demise based on AI and health markers, aims to motivate preventative health measures.
- Health Innovations: Companies focusing on longevity are analyzing over 100 biomarkers to determine users' true biological age, encouraging proactive health management.
This summary provides an overview of the key discussions and insights presented in the Fox News Hourly Update aired on July 18, 2025, ensuring a comprehensive understanding for those who have not listened to the episode.