
6PM ET 05/19/2026 Newscast
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Tom Graham
Holding back for now. I'm Tom Graham, Fox News. President Trump once again pulling back on a threat and holding off on fresh military attacks on Iran, allowing more time for negotiations.
Fox News Reporter
The president says planned strikes on Iran for today were called off as Arab partners say a nuclear deal could be close.
President Donald Trump
We may have to give him another big hit. We may have to give him another big hit. I'm not sure yet. You'll know very soon.
Fox News Reporter
President Trump speaking with reporters outside the White House where construction is underway for a new ballroom in East Wing.
President Donald Trump
I think it's going to be potentially the most beautiful building in all of Washington.
Fox News Reporter
Congress is considering a $1 billion budget request from the Secret Service as part of the East Wing construction. President Trump says funding for the actual ballroom is coming from private donations. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.
Tom Graham
The Trump administration is asking for a 13% increase in the Justice Department's budget.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch
This is underscores our departments renewed focus on reducing violent crime, combating the fentanyl crisis, strengthening border and immigration enforcement, expanding fraud prevention and ensuring our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need.
Tom Graham
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch speaking before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. President Trump is wading into several primary races. He's now throwing his support behind GOP Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who's running against Republican incumbent Senator John cornyn. Vice President J.D. vance reacting.
Vice President J.D. Vance
I've known John Cornyn for a but unfortunately, you know, when, when it really counted, Ken Paxton was there for the country, was there for the president. And that's why he ultimately earned the president's endorsement.
Tom Graham
Following the president's endorsement, Senator Cornyn said Paxton would be a, quote, weak nominee on Wall Street. Stocks finishing in the red with A Dow falling 322 points. The Nasdaq off 220, while the S&P 500 dipped about 49 points. America is listening to Fox News. President Trump speaking outside a construction zone for his planned White House ballroom, saying the roof will be sturdy enough for military forces to keep a watch on events.
President Donald Trump
The roof is dead flat with absolutely nothing but strength on it. It's very strong steel. It's drone proof and it's meant for our military to be able to stay on it.
Tom Graham
President Trump also claims the project will be tax free and will be fully paid for by himself and donors. The Republicans have sought roughly a billion dollars in taxpayer money related to the security the project. Many Democrats are fuming over the planned ballroom for various reasons. Some critics of the president. Let's say he's building an eyesore at the historic White House site. Hell, there's a call for a college sports boycott in states accused of trying to restrict black voting rights.
Chris Foster
The NAACP is asking top black basketball and football recruits to avoid public universities in states with redrawn or proposed congressional maps that are expected to weaken black voting representation. And it's asking fans to stop supporting those schools financially with ticket and merchandise purchases. The civil rights organization's out of bounds campaign targets eight states, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Georgia. It also suggests that current black athletes at those schools consider transferring. NAACP President Derek Johnson says black athletes should not be asked to generate wealth, prestige and power for state institutions while those same states strip political power from black communities. Chris Foster, FOX News.
Tom Graham
More than 17,000 people in California facing evacuation orders as the so called Sandy fire threatens suburban homes in Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles. Wildfire consuming more than 2 square miles of dry brush with zero containment. Cause remains the cause. The fire remains under investigation. Evacuation orders warnings staying in place for several neighborhoods. And speaking of Mother Nature, severe weather threatening a large swath of the country today from Texas to New England. Extreme conditions Monday unleashing powerful wind gusts and tornadoes in Kansas and Nebraska. I'm Tom Graham of this.
Title: President Trump Still Holding Off on Additional Attacks Against Iran
Date: May 19, 2026
Host: Tom Graham (FOX News)
Theme: The episode delivers an hourly news update focused on President Trump's latest decisions regarding Iran, White House renovations, a Justice Department budget increase, political endorsements, an NAACP campaign, wildfire evacuations in California, and severe weather across the U.S.
"We may have to give him another big hit. We may have to give him another big hit. I'm not sure yet. You'll know very soon."
— President Donald Trump [00:20]
"I think it's going to be potentially the most beautiful building in all of Washington."
— President Donald Trump [00:34]
"The roof is dead flat with absolutely nothing but strength on it. It's very strong steel. It's drone proof and it's meant for our military to be able to stay on it."
— President Donald Trump [02:10]
"This is underscores our department's renewed focus on reducing violent crime, combating the fentanyl crisis, strengthening border and immigration enforcement, expanding fraud prevention and ensuring our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need."
— Todd Blanch [00:56]
"When it really counted, Ken Paxton was there for the country, was there for the president. And that's why he ultimately earned the president's endorsement."
— J.D. Vance [01:27]
"Black athletes should not be asked to generate wealth, prestige, and power for state institutions while those same states strip political power from black communities."
— Derek Johnson, paraphrased by Chris Foster [02:48]
President Trump on Iran:
"We may have to give him another big hit. We may have to give him another big hit. I'm not sure yet. You'll know very soon."
[00:20]
President Trump on White House construction:
"I think it's going to be potentially the most beautiful building in all of Washington."
[00:34]
"The roof is dead flat with absolutely nothing but strength on it. It's very strong steel. It's drone proof and it's meant for our military to be able to stay on it."
[02:10]
J.D. Vance on presidential endorsement:
"When it really counted, Ken Paxton was there for the country, was there for the president. And that's why he ultimately earned the president's endorsement."
[01:27]
This Fox News Hourly Update delivers a rapid-fire summary of major political, social, and environmental developments. President Trump’s approach to Iran, a controversial White House construction project, pressing justice and political contests, NAACP activism, and urgent disaster news all underscore the range and intensity of current events as of May 19, 2026.