President Trump's nominee for U.S. Surgeon General faces a Senate panel.

Summary

Podcast Summary: Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: President Trump's nominee for U.S. Surgeon General faces a Senate panel
Date: February 25, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts (Lisa Brady, Ainsley Earhart, Chris Foster, Tanya J. Powers)

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on Dr. Casey Means, President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Surgeon General, as she faces a Senate confirmation hearing. Key topics include public health policy debates, government roles in nutrition and agriculture, Means’ background, and high-profile news updates including economic commentary from Vice President J.D. Vance and significant legal and legislative developments.

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Main Topic: Surgeon General Nominee Dr. Casey Means Faces Senate Panel

1. Debate Over Junk Food Advertising

• Senator Bernie Sanders (00:11): Pressed Dr. Means on whether she would attempt to ban TV ads for junk food.
• Dr. Casey Means (00:17):

  "The surgeon general's office does not have the purview to ban this."

  • Asserts the limitations of her office’s powers on direct policy action.
• Ainsley Earhart (00:21):
  Urges that the Surgeon General "has a voice."
• Dr. Casey Means (00:22):

  "Absolutely. And that's a voice I would absolutely lend to talking about the dangers of ultra processed food."

  • States her commitment to public advocacy on the dangers of ultra-processed food.

2. Questions on Agricultural and Health Policy

• Republican Senator John Husted, Ohio (relayed by Sanders, 00:27):
  Raised concerns about potential bans on pesticides, noting their necessity to farmers.
• Dr. Casey Means (00:34):

  "Eventually, we are going to need to move towards a more sustainable way of growing our food that decreases our reliance on toxic chemicals that are hurting human health."

  • Stresses need for sustainability and reducing harmful chemical use in agriculture.

3. Vaccines and Autism

• Bernie Sanders (summary, 00:43):
  Notes Means' stance: vaccines save lives, though she remains "open to the results of studies… on the increasing autism rate and environmental factors.”

4. Dr. Means' Background and Credentials

• Jessica Rosenthal (00:50):

  "Means is a wellness influencer and entrepreneur whose medical license lapsed more than two years ago. She says that's because she's no longer seeing patients."

  • Reveals Means’ unorthodox background and current lack of active medical licensure.

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News Update Highlights

5. Larry Summers Retiring from Harvard (00:53)

• Lisa Brady: Reports on Larry Summers' retirement amid scrutiny over ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

6. FBI Investigates LA School District (01:02)

• Lisa Brady: Announces FBI search at LA Unified School District offices and superintendent’s home, with the probe’s focus undisclosed.

7. Economic Update from Vice President J.D. Vance

• J.D. Vance (01:34):

  "We've actually seen the average American gain about $1,200 in take home pay. But if you're sitting at home from the perspective of the Biden administration, you are still worse off than you were when Joe Biden took over. So we are absolutely pushing that car uphill."

  • Highlights perceived economic challenges despite income gains.
• Lisa Brady (01:49):
  Reports Vance's optimism about overcoming these challenges with Trump policies.

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Legal Update

8. Vehicular Homicide Case: Sean Higgins (02:26 - 03:09)

• Ainsley Earhart:
  Reports on defense requests to dismiss charges against Sean Higgins due to new blood alcohol evidence in the case involving the deaths of NHL player Johnny Goudreau and his brother.

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Legislative News

9. Proposal to Ban "Rap" Restraints on Detainees (03:09 - 03:57)

• Chris Foster:
  Details a new House bill from Rep. Delia Ramirez to outlaw Homeland Security’s use of full-body restraints (“raps”), citing AP investigative findings of misuse and related fatalities.
• Safe Restraints Inc. (03:50):
  States the device is "safer, more humane, pain free," but improper use is possible.

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International & Economic Round-Up

10. Ukraine-Russia-U.S. Trilateral Talks (03:57)

• Ukrainian delegation to meet Trump envoys ahead of nuclear negotiations with Iran in Geneva.

11. Stock Market Update

• The Dow is up by 307 points at the time of reporting.

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Notable Quotes & Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Insight | |-----------|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:17 | Dr. Casey Means | "The surgeon general's office does not have the purview to ban this." | | 00:22 | Dr. Casey Means | "Absolutely. And that's a voice I would absolutely lend to talking about the dangers of ultra processed food." | | 00:34 | Dr. Casey Means | "Eventually, we are going to need to move towards a more sustainable way...that decreases our reliance on toxic chemicals..." | | 01:34 | J.D. Vance | "We've actually seen the average American gain about $1,200 in take home pay..." |

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Tone and Commentary

• The episode maintains a fast-paced, concise news briefing typical of Fox News Radio.
• Dr. Means comes across as candid about her office's limits but proactive in advocacy.
• The Senators’ questions reflect partisan divides over government regulation and public health.

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Summary

This episode offers a whirlwind overview of key political, legal, health, and economic stories, anchored by the contentious Senate hearing for Dr. Casey Means as nominee for Surgeon General. The coverage showcases high-stakes debates on junk food advertising, sustainable agriculture, the role of wellness leaders in government, and the broader political environment—from economic recovery conversations to international and legislative developments. The core message is one of ongoing political contention and the evolving expectations for public health leaders in the U.S.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

A clash of ideas on Capitol Hill. Lisa Brady, FOX News. As the health secretary's nominee for surgeon general faces a Senate panel, independent Vermont

[Senator Bernie Sanders]

Senator Bernie Sanders asked Dr. Casey means if she would follow through on trying to ban TV ads for junk food.

[Dr. Casey Means]

The surgeon general's office does not have the purview to ban this.

[Ainsley Earhart]

But you have a voice.

[Dr. Casey Means]

Absolutely. And that's a voice I would absolutely lend to talking about the dangers of ultra processed food.

[Senator Bernie Sanders]

Republican Senator John Husted of Ohio asked about efforts to ban pesticides. Means that farmers are in an impossible situation.

[Dr. Casey Means]

Eventually we are going to need to move towards a more sustainable way of growing our food that decreases our reliance on toxic chemicals that ever are hurting human health.

[Senator Bernie Sanders]

Means that she believes vaccines save lives but is open to the results of studies that examine the effects of many environmental factors on the increasing autism rate.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jessica Rosenthal Means is a wellness influencer and entrepreneur whose medical license lapsed more than two years ago. She says that's because she's no longer seeing patients. Just getting word Former Clinton Treasury Secretary Larry Summers is retiring from Harvard University, calling it a difficult decision to give up his professorship at the end of the school year. He's been on leave at Harvard since November facing scrutiny over ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Also getting word the FBI is serving search warrants at the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters and the school superintendent's home as well. A source telling the Associated Press it's part of an ongoing investigation but no word on specific allegations. Vice President J.D. vance acknowledging an uphill battle on the economy but blaming a inherited issues.

[Vice President J.D. Vance]

We've actually seen the average American gain about $1,200 in take home pay. But if you're sitting at home from the perspective of the Biden administration, you are still worse off than you were when Joe Biden take took over. So we are absolutely pushing that car uphill.

[Lisa Brady]

Vance tells FOX he thinks we're about to get over the hump with Trump policies that Democrats say are making life less affordable. America is listening to FOX News.

[JPMorgan Chase Representative]

How can we help make stronger communities happen? Well, at JPMorgan Chase, we invest in what? Working in businesses that create more jobs in hospitals delivering care where it's needed the most, in workers building new buildings, bridges and roads connecting what we need to where we live.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Make the green grass grow all around, all around. Make the green grass grow all around.

[JPMorgan Chase Representative]

Make momentum happen. Learn more at jpmorganchase.com impact

[Lisa Brady]

the man accused in the deaths of an NHL star and his brother wants charges tossed out.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Lawyers for Sean Higgins are asking for charges against their client to be dismissed based on new blood alcohol. Higgins is charged with two counts each of reckless vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter in the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Goudreau. Police say Higgins was drunk when he hit the brothers as they rode their bikes in August 2024. During a virtual court hearing on Tuesday, Higgins defense team argued that a new toxicology report showing a blood alcohol level below the legal limit should affect the charges their client faces. Johnny Goudreau played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Goudreau family was honored on the ice following Team USA's Olympic hockey gold medal.

[Lisa Brady]

Tanya J. Powers There's a new proposal in the US House that would outlaw Homeland Security's use of full body restraints, known as raps.

[Chris Foster]

Illinois House Democrat Delia Ramirez introduced the bill, citing an Associated Press investigation finding several examples of the RAPP devices being used, sometimes for hours, on deportation flights going back to 2020. Detainees say ICE officers used the full body restraints as intimidation or punishment after they were already shackled. The investigation identifies a dozen fatal incidents in the last decade where police or jailers used wraps and autopsies determined restraint played a role in the deaths. The rap's manufacturer, Safe Restraints Inc. Based in California, says in a statement it provides a safer, more humane, pain free alternative to other restraint methods, but that using it on people who aren't being violent could be considered improper use. Chris Foster, Fox News.

[Lisa Brady]

Ukraine's president says a Ukrainian delegation is set to meet tomorrow with President Trump's envoys ahead of another round of trilateral talks with Russia. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be in Geneva for another round of nuclear talks between the US And Iran to be held on the same day. A rally continues on Wall street right now The Dow's up 307 points. I'm Lisa Brady, Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of

[Chris Foster]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide

[JPMorgan Chase Representative]

hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcast.