The Five – "Chucking Schumer"
Podcast: The Five (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: November 12, 2025
Episode Overview:
This episode of "The Five" dives into the mounting political challenges facing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after a widely criticized government shutdown. The hosts scrutinize Democratic Party divisions, Schumer’s leadership, rising progressive voices, media theater in politics, free speech violence on college campuses, and the ongoing cultural divides. The panel also spotlights Veterans Day with Frank Siller, CEO of Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and closes out with lighter segments and quick-hit stories.
1. Main Theme and Purpose
The primary focus is on Chuck Schumer's embattled leadership in the Democratic Party following a government shutdown that failed to yield meaningful victories for Democrats. The hosts debate the future of Democratic leadership, dissect the fallout among liberals and progressives, and explore wider cultural and generational rifts. Alongside political analysis, the episode addresses political performativity, ideological conflict on campuses, and pays tribute to veterans’ causes.
2. Key Discussion Points and Insights
A. Chuck Schumer Under Fire
- Schumer’s Shutdown Fallout ([00:33–03:56])
- Democrats are turning on Schumer after a "shutdown mess" (missed paychecks, travel delays, hunger for SNAP recipients) with “no tangible Obamacare wins.”
- Trump is quoted as saying Schumer "went too far" and that “the Republicans broke him” ([01:10]).
- CNN pollster brands Schumer’s situation “terrible, terrible, terrible” – making him the least popular Democratic Senate leader since the 1980s ([02:01–02:14]).
- Dana Perino critiques Schumer’s floor speeches and leadership style, comparing his tactical and policy weaknesses to past and current leaders. She sees the party’s generational infighting as a sign it’s time for new leadership ([02:22–03:56]).
Notable Quote:
“When you gin up the base and convince them you can win something you do not have the votes to win…you are going to make them mad, you're going to lose. And when you cave, they're going to take it out on you.” – Dana Perino [03:44]
- The Language of “Caving”
- Greg Gutfeld objects to “cave” as a pejorative in political negotiations, saying it prevents compromise and entrenches division ([04:00–04:53]).
Notable Quote:
“That word creates a resistance to cooperation. And it's funny because the Republicans don't do it as much, but the Dems even do it to themselves.” – Greg Gutfeld [04:13]
- Democratic Messaging and Incoherence
- Harold Ford Jr. highlights the Democrats’ lack of unity and clear proposals during the shutdown but emphasizes their recent electoral victories as a sign of underlying party health ([06:52–09:24]).
Notable Quote:
“The problem Democrats had during the shutdown is they had no coherent message and they weren’t cohesive…At the end of the day, I think… affordability was the winner… If you can’t frame the victory, don't poo poo on it like you voted against it.” – Harold Ford Jr. [07:23–08:56]
- Generational and Ideological Rift
- Kennedy mocks establishment Democrats, stating, “I don’t know what these establishment Democrats stand for,” and suggests Schumer is out of touch. The only support he may have left is from “Rachel Maddow and Hakeem Jeffries” ([09:35–10:54]).
B. New Democratic Voices and the Party Base
- Rise of Jasmine Crockett & Progressive “Performance” ([13:24–20:54])
- Discussion of progressive Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who’s being boosted as a Senate candidate via performative activism, including a viral moment with a radio host kissing her sneakers (symbolizing “liberal foot-fetish culture” and performative politics).
- Dana Perino points out Crockett’s lack of legislative accomplishments and calls her a “perfect Democrat for this phase of the resistance—no substance, fights, no portfolio, all performance.”
- Hosts debate whether progressive performativity has substance or if it’s a symptom of wider party issues.
Notable Quote:
“When you've got the libs literally kissing your feet, Jassy's on a power trip like no other. She's eyeing a Texas Senate run while running interference for two Bullet J. Jones.” – Kennedy [14:05]
Notable Quote:
“The problem on the left is…if you climb the ladder of influence, not by accomplishment but by doing cool things…you're going to be the one that is talked about on these kooky podcasts.” – Dana Perino [21:00]
- Harold Ford Jr. on Party Fluidity
- Ford defends the idea of a “fickle electorate” as a sign of democratic health, saying nothing is inevitable in politics and leaders must earn support through results ([18:37–20:13]).
C. Culture Wars: Wine Moms, Performative Guilt, and Party Identity
- Greg Gutfeld on “Wine Moms” and Virtue Theatre ([22:19–24:38])
- Critiques the performative guilt and “white savior” complex among liberal suburban women, calling them a liability for modern Democrats.
- Suggests that clinging to these types “drives men away and women who are moderates and not crazy.”
Notable Quote:
“White liberal guilt is more addictive to wine moms than Botox. And it paralyzes them like Botox into this frozen state of needy, groveling…they sell out their ancestry just to appear virtuous.” – Greg Gutfeld [22:25]
- Moderate Democratic Wins
- Ford notes that big recent Democratic victories went to moderates, not progressives, reinforcing the idea that the voter base is less radical than media performances suggest ([24:38–25:15]).
D. Campus Free Speech and Violent Protests
- UC Berkeley Turning Point USA Event ([27:05–34:26])
- Rob Schneider’s speech on the importance of free speech is quoted: “If free speech means anything, it’s the right for me to say something that pisses you off.”
- The panel discusses violence and attempts to shut down conservative events, blaming the left for “the rioter’s veto.”
- Ford urges all sides to reject violence, arguing “violence is the work of the weak, not the strong” ([30:19]).
Notable Quote:
“Violence is what's resorted to when you run out of ideas and you run out of ways to improve outcomes…anti-Semitism and racism and violence are just wrong. We have to be willing to teach that.” – Harold Ford Jr. [30:19–32:08]
- Security and Safety Lapses
- Jesse Walters expresses concern over on-campus security and possible bureaucratic sabotage of conservative events ([33:16–34:14]).
E. Tribute to Veterans—Frank Siller Interview
- Tunnel to Towers Foundation ([35:00–38:58])
- Frank Siller shares stories from Veterans Day at Arlington and details how his foundation is helping homeless veterans through supportive housing and services.
- Tunnels to Towers has helped 17,500 homeless veterans, impacting 8,700 children, and has paid off 2,000+ mortgages for Gold Star widows.
- He credits the foundation's effectiveness to comprehensive support services and the generosity of high-profile donors.
Notable Quote:
“There's a big price paid for us here in America to live free and to be around them reminds me of what we do, the reason why Tunnel to Towers exist, to take care of these great heroes.” – Frank Siller [35:14]
F. Lighter Segment: Showers in the Dark
- A tongue-in-cheek discussion about a health study encouraging people to take showers in the dark for better sleep ([40:02–41:28]).
- The segment becomes a running joke about accidental darkness, modern distractions, and “eating apples in the shower.”
- Emphasis on the need to disconnect from screens before sleep.
G. Rapid-Fire Final Stories (“One More Thing”) ([41:41–43:11])
- Dana highlights Fox’s efforts to support veteran homelessness.
- Jesse shares a viral video of a criminal defeated by overeating and poor hiding skills.
- Harold praises a Michigan police officer who helped deliver a baby during a traffic stop, showcasing positive policing.
3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps):
- “He thought he could break the Republicans and the Republicans broke him.” – Jesse Walters quoting Trump, [01:10]
- “The word of the day is terrible, terrible, terrible. To quote another Charles Barkley.” – Greg Gutfeld, [01:55]
- “When you gin up the base…you are going to make them mad, you're going to lose. And when you cave, they're going to take it out on you.” – Dana Perino, [03:44]
- “That word creates a resistance to cooperation…It creates that prison of two ideas.” – Greg Gutfeld, [04:13]
- “He caved. You caved?” – Greg Gutfeld to Harold Ford Jr. (running gag), [11:49]
- “White liberal guilt is more addictive to wine moms than Botox.” – Greg Gutfeld, [22:25]
- “Violence is the work of the weak, not the strong.” – Harold Ford Jr., [30:19]
- “Rob Schneider was keeping Charlie’s legacy of free speech alive.” – Greg Gutfeld, [27:05]
- “There's a big price paid for us here in America to live free and to be around them reminds me of what we do, the reason why Tunnel to Towers exist.” – Frank Siller, [35:14]
4. Important Segments with Timestamps
- Schumer’s Troubles & Party Turmoil: [00:33–10:54]
- Jasmine Crockett & Democratic Identity Crisis: [13:24–21:00]
- Wine Moms and Virtue Theatre: [22:19–25:15]
- Campus Free Speech, Violence at Berkeley: [27:05–34:26]
- Veterans Day & Frank Siller Interview: [35:00–38:58]
- Showering in the Dark (Comic Relief): [40:02–41:28]
- Quick End Stories (“One More Thing”): [41:41–43:11]
5. Tone and Style
The episode’s tone is lively, irreverent, and deeply opinionated, defined by the panel’s trademark banter, running jokes about “caving,” and sharp political quips. It mixes serious critiques about current events with lighter moments and pop culture references, keeping the pace energetic and engaging for listeners.
This summary provides a comprehensive guide to the episode, capturing major controversies, quotable lines, and pivotal moments—offering a full sense of "The Five" for those who missed the broadcast.