The Five – Episode Summary

"At Least 15 Killed In Australia Hanukkah Attack"
Date: December 16, 2025
Podcast: The Five | FOX News Podcasts

Overview

This episode centers on two major breaking news stories:

1. A tragic mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, which claimed the lives of at least 15 people, including children, in what authorities and panelists label a clear anti-Semitic terror attack.
2. An evolving investigation into a deadly mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, featuring a live press conference with local officials, law enforcement, and FBI representatives as they update the public.

The Five hosts—Emily Compagno, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Watters, Dana Perino, and Greg Gutfeld—engage in a wide-ranging discussion on the state of anti-Semitic violence globally, security lapses, rising radical Islamist terrorism, failures in law enforcement communication, and the societal and governmental responses to such tragedies. The panel also touches on a separate headline: the murder of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, bringing commentary on personal tragedy, crime, and leadership responses.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Australia Hanukkah Attack: Immediate Reactions and Political Implications

• Summary of Events

  • Two gunmen, a father and son, attack a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, Sydney.
  • 15 people killed, with children as young as 8 among the victims.
  • President Trump praised a bystander who tackled one attacker ([01:34]).

• Global Context and Antisemitism

  • The panel connects this attack to a rising tide of antisemitism and calls for stronger responses, especially from political leaders and institutions.
  • Emily Compagno criticizes U.S. politicians for failing to forcefully condemn antisemitism within their ranks ([02:11]).
  • Greg Gutfeld: “Just call it what it is.” ([02:27])
  • Dana Perino frames the attack as part of a global pattern:

    "This is what globalizing the Intifada looks like." ([03:37])

  • Discussion of recent intelligence and foiled attacks in Europe and the U.S.

• Motivations & Security Failures

  • Noted how attacker was on a terror watchlist, issues with gun control and law enforcement oversight ([06:43]).
  • Jesse Watters points out the gap between gun restrictions and actual enforcement when attackers are known risks.

2. Domestic Terror Plot Foiled (U.S.)

• FBI Arrests

  • Compagno updates: Four arrested on suspicion of planning bomb attacks in Southern California, driven by “pro-Palestinian, anti-law enforcement, and anti-government ideology” ([03:06]).

• Implications for U.S. Security

  • Panel underscores the need for vigilance and proactive offense against radicalization and terrorism.
  • Dana Perino emphasizes moral clarity and “staying on offense” in confronting terror threats ([03:37]-[06:00]).

3. Brown University Mass Shooting Press Conference (Live Segment)

Major Updates

• Law Enforcement Response

  • Mayor Smiley, Governor McKee, Colonel Oscar Perez (Police Chief), and FBI Special Agent Ted Docks lead the briefing ([08:24]-[23:11]).
  • Key Announcements:
    • Schools remain open, with increased police presence ([08:24]).
    • Statewide mental health and social support being mobilized ([10:34]).
    • FBI offers a $50,000 reward for information on the suspect ([18:40]).

• Investigative Progress

  • New videos and images of the suspect released, encouraging the public to assist via tip lines ([13:57], [18:40]).
  • Timestamps and locations for images clarified after some confusion ([22:13]-[22:51]).
  • Weapon used: 9mm firearm, several rounds fired ([28:43]).
  • No clear motive established yet; possibility of both random and targeted victims is being considered ([31:06]-[31:14]).

Press Conference Critiques

• Panel Reaction:
  • Harold Ford Jr.: Press conference "could have been a little more organized" and lacked clear communication ([36:00]-[38:07]).
  • Dana Perino: Calls it “a hot mess of a press conference” ([38:07]).
  • Jesse Watters: Criticizes authorities for not sharing the suspect's description live ([39:10]).
  • Greg Gutfeld: Critiques the mayor’s lack of confidence and overemphasis on optics ([40:59]).

Community Reactions & Security Measures

• Mayor Smiley candid about the fear and anxiety in Providence, the challenge of restoring a sense of safety, and the community coming together at vigils ([24:44]-[26:43], [26:43]).
• Governor McKee: “Providence remains a very safe city,” despite hardship ([26:43]).

4. Reflections on Rob Reiner’s Murder

• Incident Recap

  • Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Singer Reiner found murdered; their son Nick arrested for the crime ([45:39]).

• Personal Tributes and Reflections

  • Harold Ford Jr.: “My heart goes out to his family and his loved ones…” ([46:21]).
  • Emily Compagno: Comments on the limits of wealth and fame to shield families from tragedy ([48:02]).
  • Panel discusses addiction, mental illness, and the pain of families enduring violent loss ([49:55]).
  • Dana Perino offers prayers for the survivors ([49:21]).

• Political Response Critique

  • Panel criticizes President Trump’s reaction, with Harold Ford and Greg Gutfeld debating the politics of empathy and public statements ([51:14]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Antisemitism:
  • Dana Perino ([03:37]):

    “There is only one way to beat back radical Islamic terrorism and antisemitism, and that is to be on offense and to have moral clarity... The only way to protect our Western way of life that they would like to destroy is to stay on the offense.”

• On Security Failures (Australia):
  • Jesse Watters ([06:43]):

    “What the hell good is the watch list if you’re going to allow that? ... [They] have an arsenal. What the hell good is the watch list if you’re going to allow that?”

• On Press Conference:
  • Dana Perino ([38:07]):

    “This was... a hot mess of a press conference. First of all, you could barely hear them. It’s disorganized. The shot looked terrible. ... That none of that to me said, we’ve got confidence here.”

  • Jesse Watters ([39:10]):

    “You have millions of people watching the press conference live, and you don’t want to tell anybody... This is stupid. I feel bad for the people of Providence.”

• On Rob Reiner’s Death:
  • Harold Ford Jr. ([46:21]):

    “My heart goes out to his family and to all of his loved ones and people who knew him extremely well.”

  • Greg Gutfeld ([49:55]):

    “It is hell on earth. Just imagine a person you know as a child who’s no longer that person... It’s got to be the worst thing ever. ... It’s an equal opportunity tragedy.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Australia Hanukkah Attack & Political Reactions: [00:00]-[08:16]
• Fox News Alert – Providence, RI / Brown University Shooting Press Conference: [08:16]-[35:43]
• Panel Critiques of Law Enforcement / Press Conference: [35:58]-[44:26]
• Reflections on Rob Reiner’s Death / Social Commentary: [45:39]-[52:01]

Panel’s Tone & Language

• Unvarnished and urgent: Hosts speak frankly about security failures, antisemitism, and terrorism, and are openly critical of both authorities and political leaders.
• Sympathetic: Reflections on loss (victims of attacks, Rob Reiner’s family) are earnest and compassionate.
• Impatient and critical: With law enforcement communication failures and perceived lapses in leadership during crisis press conferences.

Conclusion

This episode of The Five blends intense breaking news coverage of two mass shootings—one terrorism-driven, one under investigation domestically—with broader debate about our societies' readiness and willingness to confront radical antisemitism, terrorism, and public violence. Leaning on their backgrounds and viewpoints, the hosts call for stronger political, institutional, and personal resolve, lament leadership shortcomings, and repeatedly urge clear-eyed, morally unambiguous responses to global and domestic threats. The panel tempers their take with moments of empathy for victims and a sober recognition of the toll such events take on ordinary lives.