Podcast Summary: The Five — "Awaiting DNA Results"

Date: February 16, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode centers on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, with discussion focusing on the awaited DNA results, law enforcement updates, and public appeals from the family. The panel then shifts to other current political topics, including President Obama’s recent remarks, intra-party Democratic divisions, the government shutdown over DHS funding, border security, voter ID laws, immigration debates, and notable performances by figures like AOC at the Munich Security Conference. The tone remains conversational, sharp, and at times combative, mixing news analysis with opinion and debate.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Nancy Guthrie Investigation & DNA Awaited (00:41–09:37)

• Latest Updates (00:41–03:28):

  • The Pima County Sheriff officially cleared the Guthrie family as suspects.
    • Notable Quote (Sheriff Statement):
      "The Guthrie family ... has been cleared as possible suspects in this case. The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case. To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel." (01:33)
  • DNA testing is pending on a glove found near Nancy’s home; the clothing on the suspect may be from Walmart.
  • Savannah Guthrie made a public appeal to the perpetrator to "do the right thing."
    • Notable Moment: Emotional public plea by Savannah Guthrie (02:39–03:08).
  • The President has threatened to seek the death penalty if Nancy isn’t found alive.

• Panel Analysis (03:28–09:37):

  • Emily Campagno: Questions the sheriff’s timing and communication, noting the shift in public DNA database access post-Golden State Killer case (03:47–05:24).
    • Quote: “Overnight, it went from millions of profiles to thousands...this is an uphill battle for these investigators.” (04:44)
  • Tyrus: Criticizes lack of joint FBI/sheriff communication, suggesting internal division and unprofessionalism may hinder the investigation (05:29–06:44).
  • Charlie Hurt: Finds the case baffling, both due to its lack of information and the strange choices made by the perpetrator (06:52–08:04).
  • Richard Fowler: Emphasizes the human toll on the family and the challenge for the media to focus on the victim rather than the investigation's mechanics (08:28–09:28).
    • Quote: “As a member of the media, we often get caught up in the mechanics … there is an 84-year-old woman missing.” (08:28)
  • The segment ends acknowledging intense public interest due to family prominence.

2. Obama’s Critique of Democrats & Speculation on Aliens (10:56–17:31)

• Obama’s Recent Podcast Interview (11:13–12:27):

  • Criticizes Democrats for poor messaging around homelessness and disconnect with everyday struggles.
    • Obama Quote:
      "The average person doesn’t want to have to navigate around a tent city ... That’s a losing political strategy." (11:13)
  • Hints at a generational leadership need, noting he considers himself "past his prime."
  • Jokingly addresses alien conspiracy theories:
    "Are aliens real? They're real, but I haven't seen them ... unless there's this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the President." (12:08)
  • Later walks back the alien comments:
    "I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us." (12:27)

• Panel Reactions (12:42–17:31):

  • Tyrus: Praises Obama’s candor but notes it’s too little, too late; criticizes media obsession over the alien slip (12:42–14:01).
  • Dana Perino: Questions whether Obama’s emphasis on youth is a subtle critique of Democratic frontrunners (14:03–15:14).
  • Charlie Hurt: Criticizes Obama’s political legacy, labeling his governance “lecturesome,” and blames him for Democratic losses and failed health care promises (15:29–17:29).
  • Richard Fowler: Defends Obama’s Affordable Care Act, affirms the need for generational change, and highlights Obama’s campaign energy as a blueprint for Democrats (17:38–18:54).
    • Quote: “The team around me were all 20-somethings and 30-somethings ... that's how we won. They had energy.” (18:13)
  • Tyrus: Draws parallels between Obama and Trump as communicators; laments lack of comparable new leaders in either party (19:04–20:02).
  • Continued debate on health care, with focus on shifting from insurance to system reform (20:02–20:32).

3. Border Security, Government Shutdown, & Voter ID Laws (21:16–32:02)

• Partial Government Shutdown (21:16–24:52):

  • Democrats have partially shut down the government over DHS funding, making demands on ICE enforcement.
  • Dana Perino: Points out the shutdown harms TSA and FEMA workers without making real policy changes, calling it performative (23:15–24:32).

• Schumer, Voter ID, and Jim Crow 2.0 (21:52–25:08):

  • Chuck Schumer likens proposed voter ID laws to “Jim Crow 2.0,” despite broad bipartisan public support for voter ID (21:52–22:33).
  • Tyrus: Criticizes the racism accusation as overblown, noting everyone needs ID for daily life (25:08–26:43).

• Hillary Clinton on Deportations & Internal Party Conflict (22:33–29:06):

  • Clinton brags about higher deportation rates during Clinton and Obama administrations versus Trump’s.
    • Hillary Quote:
      "More people were deported under my husband and Barack Obama ... than ... Trump's term." (22:33)
  • Charlie Hurt: Highlights contradiction between established Democrats supporting border enforcement and progressive activists pushing to abolish ICE (26:43).
    • Quote: "You have somebody like Hillary Clinton making these, you know, extraordinary claims about how no, we're, you know, we're the party of border security. And then ... the energy in the party is all about sanctuary cities..." (26:43)
  • Richard Fowler: Defends the push for law enforcement accountability; recounts high-profile immigration enforcement controversies (27:11–28:53).
  • Emily Campagno: Points out contradictions in pausing immigration processing during the shutdown and the need for coordination between federal and state law enforcement (29:06–31:11).
    • Quote: “…aiming to talk about protecting immigrants, they're doing anything but with this very childish and reprehensible sort of stall warning going on." (29:18)
  • Tense exchange between Richard and Tyrus over ICE actions caught on video (31:11–32:02).

4. AOC at Munich and Political Competency (33:13–38:38)

• AOC’s Floundering Munich Appearance (33:13–35:58):

  • Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez is mocked for her incoherent answer on US military support for Taiwan at the Munich Security Conference.
    • Memorable Moment:
      ”This is, of course, a very long-standing ... policy.” (AOC, 33:41)
  • Panel compares AOC’s gaffe to past political missteps (ex: Sarah Palin) and argues she did herself no favors on a global stage.

• Comparisons and Analysis (35:58–38:38):

  • Emily Campagno: Highlights value of real experience over social media popularity, praises Rubio’s performance in Munich as a contrast.
    • Quote: “Essentially a TikTok influencer...asked a substantive question...failed on.” (36:06)
  • Richard Fowler: Notes difficulty answering war hypotheticals; says AOC missed the opportunity to pivot to real geopolitical issues, like Canada’s side deals with China (37:47–38:26).
    • Tyrus: "If you would have gave that answer, you would be the star of the Democratic Party right now." (38:14)
  • Dana Perino: Wishes AOC had given such a substantial answer (38:23).

5. Quirky News: AI Dating (38:52–40:02)

• Wine bar in NYC allows patrons to bring their AI chatbots on dates.
• Tyrus: "Stay home." (39:04)
• Richard: Calls the concept sad, suggests people need to interact with real humans (39:40–39:59).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

| Time | Speaker | Quote/Context | |-----------|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:33 | Sheriff (read by Alicia) | "The Guthrie family ... has been cleared as possible suspects in this case...To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel.” | | 04:44 | Emily Campagno | "Overnight, it went from millions of profiles to thousands...this is an uphill battle for these investigators." | | 08:28 | Richard Fowler | "There is an 84-year-old woman missing. She's a mother, she's a grandmother..." | | 11:13 | Barack Obama | "The average person doesn’t want to have to navigate around a tent city ... That’s a losing political strategy." | | 12:08 | Barack Obama | "Are aliens real? They're real, but I haven't seen them ..." | | 15:29 | Charlie Hurt | "[Obama] presented himself as he was going to be this new kind of politician. It turned out that ... what he turned into was a free stuff guy..." | | 17:38 | Richard Fowler | "The team around me were all 20-somethings and 30-somethings ... that's how we won. They had energy." | | 21:52 | Dana Perino | "About 83% of the American people, including majority Democrats, support voter ID laws." | | 22:33 | Hillary Clinton | "More people were deported under my husband and Barack Obama ... than ... Trump's term." | | 26:43 | Charlie Hurt | "You have somebody like Hillary Clinton making ... claims about ... border security. And then ... the energy in the party is ... sanctuary cities ..." | | 29:18 | Emily Campagno | “…aiming to talk about protecting immigrants, they're doing anything but with this very childish and reprehensible sort of stall warning going on.” | | 33:41 | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | "You know, I think that this is a...This is, of course, a...very long standing...policy." | | 36:06 | Emily Campagno | “Essentially a TikTok influencer...asked a substantive question...failed on.” | | 39:04 | Tyrus | ”Stay home.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:41–03:28] Guthrie family cleared as suspects; public/emotional appeals
• [05:24–09:28] Media, investigation, and human element perspectives
• [11:13–12:27] Obama’s podcast interview: homelessness, messaging, and aliens
• [15:29–17:29] Criticism of Obama’s legacy and health care
• [21:16–24:32] Shutdown politics, ICE, and performative government standoffs
• [25:08–26:43] Voter ID as “Jim Crow 2.0” debate
• [29:06–31:11] Contradictions in party approach to immigration enforcement
• [33:13–35:58] AOC’s stumble at Munich; global policy credibility
• [38:52–40:02] Quirky segment: AI dating in NYC

Summary Flow & Tone

The episode moves fluidly from hard news stories and ongoing investigations to lively, at times contentious, political debate. The tone regularly swings from serious concern (Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance) to pointed satire (Obama, Democrats, and AOC) to outright mockery (AI dating). The panel’s signature style is present: rapid-fire insights, sharp critique of political adversaries and media narratives, and the occasional personal anecdote or moment of levity.

Conclusion

This episode of "The Five" provides a snapshot of the week’s hot-button issues, blending breaking news analysis (Nancy Guthrie disappearance) with critiques of political communication, party infighting, and government dysfunction. Notable moments include Savannah Guthrie’s emotional plea, critique of Obama’s political legacy, heated exchanges about immigration enforcement, and the viral clip of AOC in Munich, offering listeners sharp perspectives on current events from across the political spectrum.