Fox News Hourly Update: "Will Former President Biden's Chief of Staff Answer Questions?"
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Host: Dave Anthony
Produced by: FOX News Podcasts
1. Investigation into Former President Biden's Chief of Staff
The episode opens with Dave Anthony discussing the ongoing investigation into former President Joe Biden's mental fitness, focusing on whether Ron Klain, Biden's former White House Chief of Staff, will cooperate with the House Oversight Committee. Klain is expected to appear before the committee following other ex-Biden staffers who have invoked the Fifth Amendment.
Jim Jordan, a Republican Congressman, weighs in on the matter:
“[00:19] I think it's likely that Mr. Klain asserts some privilege today as well.”
Anthony elaborates on Jordan's perspective, highlighting Jordan's assertion that a whistleblower is necessary to substantiate claims that unauthorized actions were taken under Biden's administration:
“[00:27] ...we signed things the auto pin signed things that we had no authorization to sign, but someone else told us to do it, even though President Biden had.”
Former President Biden has categorically denied these allegations, labeling them as falsehoods.
2. Subpoena to Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein Investigation
The discussion shifts to the House Oversight Committee's subpoena of Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted for her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking scheme. Maxwell is set to speak with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at her Florida prison, amidst public demand for transparency regarding Epstein's clients.
Lucas Tomlinson reports on the legal proceedings:
“[01:07] ...a federal judge in Florida has denied one of three Justice Department requests to unseal grand jury records tied to Jeffrey Epstein.”
Judge Robin Rosenberg stated that only narrow exemptions allow for the release of such sensitive documents.
3. Settlement with Columbia University
Former President Donald Trump celebrates a settlement reached with Columbia University, following the revocation of federal funding due to pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Trump took to Truth Social to commend the university's decision to comply.
Alexis McAdams provides further details:
“[01:37] Columbia University agreeing to hand over $200 million to the White House over the next three years, paying up big in order to get their federal funding and grants back.”
Columbia University, in a statement, acknowledged the challenges faced by Jewish students due to anti-Semitism, deeming the financial settlement a necessary step to restore their federal support.
4. Plane Crash in Russia
Tragedy struck as a plane carrying 48 passengers and crew crashed in Russia under adverse weather conditions. Alexis McAdams reports:
“[01:47] They found no survivors in the burning wreckage of a plane that crashed today in Russia. The flight had 48 passengers and crew on board. It went down reportedly in bad weather, making another attempt to land.”
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about aviation safety in challenging environments.
5. Wall Street Market Overview
The financial markets presented a dichotomy with the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining by 166 points, while the Nasdaq surged by 31 points, reaching a new all-time high. The S&P 500 also climbed, adding 11 points, signaling varied investor sentiments across different sectors.
6. Economic Update: Job Market and Unemployment Claims
Jenny Costelda provides an analysis of the current employment landscape:
“[02:49] There was little change in the job market last week. New claims for unemployment Benefits declined by 4,000 to 217,000, a sign that layoffs remain subdued.”
Despite a slight decrease in new unemployment claims, the number of individuals continuing to receive benefits rose by 4,000 to 1.955 million, indicating a trend of prolonged unemployment periods. Economists describe this scenario as a "no hire, no fire" job market, where hiring is stagnant, but layoffs are minimal.
7. Public Concern and Presidential Approval
A recent FOX News poll reveals widespread anxiety about the economy, with only one in three respondents expressing a positive outlook. Concurrently, President Trump's job approval rating remains steady at 46%, unchanged from the previous month.
Later in the episode, Carmen Roberts discusses President Trump's plans:
“[03:43] The president will take a trip across town and go to the Federal Reserve just days after suggesting Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell could be fired over the costly renovation of two Fed buildings, which the president called disgraceful.”
Trump has voiced significant frustration with Fed Chair Powell's decision to maintain the benchmark interest rate at 4.3%, despite economic uncertainties and the impact of Trump's tariffs, which Powell argues may drive up inflation.
8. Oil Prices and Gasoline Costs
Oil prices experienced a modest increase, rising by 75 cents to reach $66 per barrel. Consequently, gasoline prices saw a minor uptick, with the national average for regular unleaded gasoline standing at $3.16 per gallon, according to AAA data.
9. Interactive Segment: The Quiz
The episode features an interactive quiz segment hosted by Jim Jordan:
“[04:28] It is time to take the quiz.”
Listeners are encouraged to participate by visiting thequiz.FOX and testing their knowledge on various topics, enhancing engagement with the audience.
This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update provides a comprehensive overview of current political investigations, legal proceedings, financial market trends, economic indicators, and public sentiment, all delivered with timely insights and authoritative commentary.