Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: “Amazing Military Feat”

Host: Jesse Watters, Kennedy, Harold Ford Jr., Dana Perino, Greg Gutfeld
Date: January 6, 2026

Overview

This energetic episode focuses on the aftermath and implications of a bold U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, as well as a wide-ranging discussion of U.S. foreign policy, domestic corruption scandals, American politics, and new “woke” controversies. The hosts blend sharp analysis, political banter, and cultural references in their signature unscripted style.

Main Topics & Discussion Points

1. “Amazing Military Feat”: U.S. Captures Maduro

Time: 00:04 – 04:37

• Breaking News: President Trump lauds the U.S. operation removing Maduro, calling it, "an amazing military feat" (00:33).
• Rules for Venezuela: Trump’s demands for new interim leader Delsey Rodriguez: fight narco-trafficking, expel hostile foreign agents, halt oil sales to U.S. adversaries, and plan for free elections (01:20).
• International Law Debate: Kennedy and Harold Ford Jr. caution about the legality and global precedent of kidnapping heads of state, drawing parallels to U.S. leadership being abducted (02:05–02:37).
• Latin America’s Reaction: Ford points out surprising approval in the region, saying, “Costa Rica, there’s an 80% approval rating for the action” (02:44).
• The Politics: Democrats accused of inaction; the panel jokes about “paying the $25 million” reward to Delta Force instead (04:06).
• CIA Praise: Ford highlights John Ratcliffe’s low-key CIA leadership as a factor in the mission’s success.

Memorable Quotes:

• Trump: “He tries to imitate my dance a little bit. ... I want their sign maker. The guy is great.” (00:33)
• Kennedy: “We are supposed to be a nation of laws. The way we did that was against international laws, against the United Nations.” (02:09)
• Ford: “Certainly the policeman of the hemisphere. I’m for it.” (02:58)

2. Trump's Foreign Policy Philosophy

Time: 04:38 – 07:56

• Trump’s Unconventionalism: Greg Gutfeld calls Trump “our first non-binary president ever” because he defies traditional neocon or isolationist labels, focusing simply on “America first” (04:47, 05:09).
• Ideology vs. Pragmatism: The group discusses how Trump’s approach is pragmatic rather than ideological. Gutfeld asserts: “He zigs and he zags ... ideology and systems like that make you feel smarter because you don’t have to think too hard” (06:46).
• Debating Rewards: Ford suggests that if anyone gets the $25 million for Maduro, it should be Delta Force (04:06).

Memorable Quotes:

• Gutfeld: “He’s our first non binary president ever. ... He’s just got one filter and that is America first.” (04:47–05:09)
• Ford: “But he has principle. The principle is America first.” (07:31)

3. Democratic Response and Future Concerns

Time: 07:59 – 10:45

• Mixed Reactions: Kennedy notes even some Democrats, like Wasserman Schultz, praised the mission, but party hardliners still oppose it reflexively (08:04).
• Proxy War Worries: Kennedy warns, “Worst case scenario, a proxy war with Iran and China” (08:42).
• Stability and Principles: She urges a plan for peace/prosperity, not military entanglement: “I would not do as much as I could militarily ... if we can somehow turn this into stabilization ... that’s ideal” (10:11).

4. What’s Next for Venezuela and U.S. Doctrine

Time: 10:45 – 12:32

• Transition Needs: Ford emphasizes the need for a clear transition plan and doctrine beyond “mess around and find out” in Latin America (10:57).
• Rule of Law, Drug Flows: Key future challenges are restoring order, reducing trafficking, and promoting legitimate governance.

5. Minnesota Scandal: Tim Walz Fallout

Time: 13:15 – 18:29

• Fraud Fallout: The panel discusses Minnesota Governor Tim Walz not seeking re-election amid a welfare fraud scandal, with Tim Walz defending himself publicly (13:27–14:17).
• Corruption and Politics: Gutfeld and Watters claim these kinds of scandals reflect a deeper national issue with government corruption and unqualified leadership, not just isolated mismanagement (15:14–16:43).
• Federal Spending Critique: Focus shifts from “spending” to “corruption,” with the assertion that high spending is often a veil for theft (15:14).

Memorable Quotes:

• Walz: “You can make all your requests for me to resign—over my dead body will that happen. ... God help me, I don’t want to be judged against [Trump].” (13:27–14:17)
• Watters: “They want dumb people in charge so their interest groups can steal from you. That’s the whole problem.” (17:10)
• Kennedy: “Whenever you have that kind of taxation and that kind of spending, that’s what it’s there for ... to enrich their cronies.” (19:29)

6. Housing, Social Policy, and “Woke” Debates

Time: 29:32 – 36:09

• NYC Housing Czar Controversy: The hosts discuss Zoran Mi appointing a far-left official who previously called homeownership a “weapon of white supremacy” (29:32).
• Backlash: The hosts mock and criticize this ideology as “ignorant,” “racist,” “dangerous,” and “nonsense”, arguing that such views undermine the American Dream and are politically toxic (30:56–36:09).
• Satirical Takes: Multiple pop culture references detail the show’s satirical tone, e.g., “You start with one dry cleaner, all of a sudden you own half the city.” (30:57)

Memorable Quotes:

• Kennedy: “What an ignorant racist moron.” (30:56)
• Gutfeld: “This person is a racist bitch. ... They see you as expendable.” (34:54)

7. Insurance, Wildfires, and Government Accountability

Time: 24:56 – 28:13

• California Wildfires: Kennedy shares her personal struggle with insurance and recovery post-wildfire, blaming California’s leaders for shielding insurers and failing homeowners (24:56).
• Policy Suggestions: Watters suggests Trump federalize disaster recovery in California: “You bring in the Army Corps of Engineers, you bring in the National Guard ... and just start building homes” (28:25).

8. Media, Messaging, and 2026 Midterms

Time: 22:03 – 24:55, 26:32 – 28:13

• Trump’s Playbook: Trump tells Republicans to focus their midterm message on prior successes in border security, the economy, and attacking Democratic inaction (22:17).
• Media Distrust: Gutfeld complains mainstream media will “muck it up” for Republicans (23:36).
• Democratic Strategy: Ford critiques Democrats for focusing solely on Trump-bashing, saying the party needs “a message” about enabling communities, safety, and prosperity (26:32).

9. Pop Culture & “One More Thing” Segment

Time: 36:44 – End

• Lighthearted End: The crew discusses a viral theory relating childhood #1 movies to forecasting 2026, with jokes about aliens, The Towering Inferno, Rain Man, and The Empire Strikes Back (36:44–38:40).
• Signature Banter: The segment “Gorilla News” and Fox Shop Gym gear plugs provide comic relief (38:54–39:55).

Quotes & Timestamps

• Trump: "It was an amazing military feat that took place yesterday." (00:33)
• Greg Gutfeld: "He’s not a neocon, but he’s not an isolationist. He’s our first non-binary president ever." (04:47)
• Kennedy: "We are supposed to be a nation of laws. The way we did that was against international laws, against the United Nations." (02:09)
• Harold Ford Jr.: "Costa Rica, there’s an 80% approval rating for the action." (02:44)
• Jesse Watters: "They want dumb people in charge so their interest groups can steal from you." (17:10)
• Kennedy: "What an ignorant racist moron." (30:56)
• Greg Gutfeld: "This person is a racist bitch... They see you as expendable." (34:54)
• Kennedy: "The American dream is not dead, but it will be dead if this witch beats that horse." (31:12)
• Jesse Watters: “He should declare a disaster zone and say, ‘Gavin, if you can’t do it, I will. I’m a builder.’” (28:25)

Tone and Style

The episode is fast-paced, witty, and often irreverent. The hosts blend serious analysis with satire, sarcasm, and banter. Political points are interspersed with personal anecdotes, cultural references, and rapid-fire exchanges.

Conclusion

This episode of “The Five” offers lively, partisan analysis of major headlines—from Trump’s Venezuela operation and its global reverberations to domestic corruption in Minnesota and culture war skirmishes in New York. The discussion pulls no punches, with the panel both celebrating and problematizing American assertiveness, critiquing political corruption, questioning radical policy ideas, and pushing for strategic clarity on the world stage.

Major Segments & Timestamps

• Venezuela Military Operation & Trump’s Demands: 00:04–04:37
• Trump 'Non-Binary' Foreign Policy: 04:38–07:56
• Democratic Response & Proxy War Fears: 07:59–10:45
• Planning for Venezuela’s Future: 10:45–12:32
• Tim Walz Minnesota Scandal: 13:15–18:29
• Corruption and Covid Dollars: 19:29–21:28
• California Wildfires & Insurance: 24:56–28:13
• NYC Housing Czar Controversy: 29:32–36:09
• Culture & Comedy Segments: 36:44–End