Summary5 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – February 27, 2026

Episode Theme:
A fast-paced recap of the day’s developing stories, featuring major political news including Bill Clinton’s closed-door deposition in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, the ongoing government shutdown, inflation updates, international tensions, and controversy over a Tennessee power line project.

1. Bill Clinton’s Testimony on Epstein Investigation

[00:03 - 00:47]

Main Point: Former President Bill Clinton issued a statement to the House Oversight Committee as he began a closed-door deposition, insisting he had “no idea” and “saw nothing” regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.
Lisa Brady: "He did not know. ... that's what former President Bill Clinton is telling the House Oversight Committee in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation … he saw nothing and did nothing wrong, saw no signs of Epstein's sexual abuse." [00:03]
Chad Pergram: Emphasized the unusual nature of the testimony, describing it as an “extraordinary moment” involving a former president, and noted that some Republicans do not necessarily believe Clinton did anything wrong. [00:19]
- Quote: “This is an extraordinary moment, the testimony of a former president. Republicans don't think that Bill Clinton necessarily did anything wrong. This is all born out of a House effort last summer to compel the release of the Epstein files.” [00:19]
Location: The Clintons’ residence in Chappaqua, New York.
Hillary Clinton’s Deposition:
- Reported that Hillary Clinton also gave a deposition the previous day.
- Republican Rep. Nancy Mace: Claimed Hillary was "screaming and unhinged during the deposition.” [00:37]
- Contrasted Hillary’s relationship with Epstein to Bill’s, noting Bill had more direct association and travel with Epstein.
Democratic Response:
- Dems on the committee argued the investigation wouldn’t be complete without President Trump’s testimony. [00:47]

2. Partial Government Shutdown Intensifies

[00:47 - 01:39]

Main Point: The partial government shutdown, ongoing for more than two weeks, is starting to personally affect thousands of federal employees.
Jessica Rosenthal: Described the impact on DHS employees, including those at FEMA, TSA, Secret Service, and the Coast Guard, many of whom are now receiving no or only partial pay. [00:57]
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL): Some Democrats, like Ramirez, are resolute in their push for changes to DHS:
- Quote: “We brought the Department of Homeland Security into this world and we will. We can build a world without it.” [01:10]
Reason for Shutdown: Democrats’ demands for changes to ICE operations in exchange for DHS funding.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune: Mentioned some reforms already underway (body cameras, ICE focus on undocumented criminals), but warned the shutdown is affecting security prep for major events, e.g., the World Cup. [01:21]

3. Economic & Business Updates

[01:39 - 01:59]

Producer Price Index:
- Inflation at the wholesale level rose 0.5% from December; up 2.9% year-over-year, more than expected.
Political Tie-in: Noted that President Trump is taking his economic agenda back on the road with a visit to Texas. [01:39]
Market Impact:
- The inflation report sent stock prices tumbling; “the Dow is down 653.” [04:05]

4. International & National Security Developments

[02:13 - 03:09]

Tensions with Iran:
- President Trump told reporters he’s "not happy with Iran" but indicated more talks are anticipated, following a third round of mediation (by Oman, in Geneva). [02:13]
Diplomatic Warnings in Israel:
- U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged nonessential embassy staff and families to leave Israel.
  - Quote: “Now is the time to leave. While there are still commercial flights. ... This is what is known as an authorized departure … due to, quote, safety risks.” [02:37]
- Ship spotters observed the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group relocating toward Israel; seen as prepping for possible strikes on Iran. [02:37]
Hostage Search Continues:
- Day 27 of the search for missing Nancy Guthrie and daughter Savannah. Family re-shared video offering a $1 million reward. [03:09]

5. Tennessee Valley Power Line Controversy

[03:32 - 04:05]

Dispute over Land:
- The proposed Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power line may cut through John Gregory’s eighth-generation Gallatin, TN farm, in the family since 1787.
- John Gregory learned of the plan only when TVA crews arrived to survey. He met resistance from TVA until local leaders and country singer John Rich voiced support.
- TVA paused the project and formed a task force to revisit the route—an attempt to balance infrastructure with property rights.
- Quote (John Gregory paraphrased by C.J. Papa): “He says he got few answers when he fought the plan and that TVA only agreed to revisit the route after Sumner county leaders and country singer John Rich publicly opposed the plan.” [03:32]

Memorable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

Bill Clinton statement:
- Lisa Brady: “He did not know. … he saw nothing and did nothing wrong, saw no signs of Epstein's sexual abuse.” [00:03]
Chad Pergram:
- “This is all born out of a House effort last summer to compel the release of the Epstein files.” [00:19]
Nancy Mace on Hillary Clinton:
- “Hillary was, quote, screaming and unhinged during the deposition.” [00:37]
Delia Ramirez on DHS:
- “We brought the Department of Homeland Security into this world and we will. We can build a world without it.” [01:10]
Economic impact:
- Lisa Brady: “The inflation report, sinking stocks right now. The Dow is down 653.” [04:05]
Mike Huckabee (via Ainsley Earhart):
- “Now is the time to leave. While there are still commercial flights. … This is what is known as an authorized departure for non essential embassy staff and their families due to, quote, safety risks.” [02:37]

Notable Segments & Timestamps

Bill Clinton Epstein testimony: [00:03 - 00:47]
Shutdown and DHS/ICE debate: [00:47 - 01:39]
Inflation report and stock update: [01:39 - 01:59], [04:05]
Tensions with Iran and embassy warning: [02:13 - 02:37]
TVA power line land dispute: [03:32 - 04:05]

This update delivered a rapid-fire overview of consequential political and economic developments, providing succinct but pointed summaries, direct quotes, and the day’s tone—heightened by federal scrutiny, partisan divides, economic anxiety, and international uncertainty.

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Transcript16 lines

[00:03]
Lisa Brady
He did not know. On Lisa Brady, FOX News. That's what former President Bill Clinton is telling the House Oversight Committee in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, posting a statement as his deposition was beginning that he saw nothing and did nothing wrong, saw no signs of Epstein's sexual abuse.
[00:19]
Chad Pergram
This is an extraordinary moment, the testimony of a former president. Republicans don't think that Bill Clinton necessarily did anything wrong. This is all born out of a House effort last summer to compel the release of the Epstein files.
[00:32]
Lisa Brady
Chad Pergram in Chappaqua, New York, where the Clintons live and where Hillary Clinton testified yesterday.
[00:37]
Chad Pergram
Republican Nancy Mace says Hillary was, quote, screaming and unhinged during the deposition. Unlike Hillary Clinton, her husband associated with Epstein. He traveled with Epstein.
[00:47]
Lisa Brady
Democrats on the committee say the investigation can't be complete unless President Trump testifies. A partial government shutdown that started more than two weeks ago is about to hit home.
[00:57]
Jessica Rosenthal
Thousands of employees within the Department of Homeland Security, including at fema, the tsa, Secret Service and the Coast Guard are receiving no or partial pay as of today. And some Democrats, like Illinois Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, are okay with that.
[01:11]
Lisa Brady
We brought the Department of Homeland Security into this world and we will. We can build a world without it.
[01:21]
Jessica Rosenthal
The shutdown started after Democrats demanded changes to ICE operations in order to fund homeland security. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says there have been changes, including a deployment of body cameras and a renewed focus by ICE on undocumented criminals, but that now the shutdown is impacting the ability to prepare security for major events like World cup games.
[01:40]
Lisa Brady
Fox's Jessica Rosenthal. Inflation at the wholesale level higher than expected in January, rising a half point from December, 2.9% year over year, just as President Trump takes his economic agenda back on the road, visiting Texas later today, America is listening to FOX News.
[02:00]
Ainsley Earhart
This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of
[02:05]
C.J. Papa
Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you
[02:13]
Lisa Brady
listen to podcasts as he heads to Texas. President Trump just telling reporters he's not happy with Iran, but that more talks are expected after a third round mediated by Oman and held in Geneva yesterday. The Omani foreign minister holding a White House meeting with Vice President Vance today as the State Department tells nonessential embassy staff in Israel if they want to leave, now's the time.
[02:38]
Ainsley Earhart
The message from the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, was blunt. Now is the time to leave. While there are still commercial flights. This is what is known as an authorized departure for non essential embassy staff and their families due to, quote, safety risks. Ship spotters say they have seen the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group in the eastern Mediterranean heading east towards Israel. That is significant because it was the last piece of the puzzle needed to set the battle space for potential strikes on Iran.
[03:09]
Lisa Brady
Fox's Jennifer Griffin again. President Trump still emphasizing diplomacy for now. Day 27 of the search for Nancy Guthrie and daughter Savannah. Just reposting part of a video about the family's offer of a $1 million reward. Controversy brewing over a proposed power line route that could cut through a centuries old farm northeast of Nashville involves the Tennessee Valley Authority, nation's largest public power provider.
[03:33]
C.J. Papa
8th generation farmer John Gregory says his family their gallatin land since 1787. He says he learned a proposed Tennessee Valley Authority power line could cut through the property when a TVA crew arrived to survey it. Gregory says he got few answers when he fought the plan and that TVA only agreed to revisit the route after Sumner county leaders and country singer John Rich publicly opposed the plan. TVA says it has paused the project and formed the task force to review the route in an effort to balance infrastructure needs with property rights. C.J.
[04:06]
Lisa Brady
papa, Fox News, the inflation report, sinking stocks right now. The Dow is down 653. And Lisa Brady, FOX NEWS.