Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: Day 32 Of Operation Epic Fury
Date: March 31, 2026
Host: Greg Gutfeld
Co-hosts: Emily Compagno, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Watters, Dana Perino

Overview

This episode of The Five dives into the ongoing Operation Epic Fury in the Middle East, exploring President Trump’s military strategy against Iran, public and political reactions, and the challenges of information in times of war. The hosts further debate domestic controversies: the politicization of victimhood, progressive tax proposals, issues surrounding the role of women, and presidential legacy projects. The dialogue is spirited, opinionated, and at times, humorous, true to The Five's characteristic tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Operation Epic Fury and U.S.–Iran Tensions

Segment: 00:00–11:50

• Explosive Updates: The episode opens with updates on escalating U.S. military operations against Iran, including massive airstrikes and reports of significant Iranian losses.
• Trump’s Stance: President Trump claims rapid military progress and hints at imminent withdrawal, emphasizing his willingness to negotiate "with bombs if necessary."
  • Quote: “President Trump doesn't bluff and he does not back down. ... If Iran is not willing, then the United States War Department will continue with even more intensity." (A, 00:50)
• Media and Political Rhetoric: The hosts criticize Democratic responses and media coverage, accusing some commentators of extreme analogies, such as likening the U.S. military to Nazis.
  • Quote: "Making the military to be a white nationalist organization is absolutely reminiscent of Germany 1933 through 1939." (B, 02:12)
• Information Overload & Trust: Dana Perino raises concerns about whom to trust for insights, referencing the lack of credible voices from Iran and highlighting complexity in the situation.
  • Quote: "If you think it's won or you think it's lost, you are not telling the truth." (D, 04:53)
• Military Strategy: Discussion of strategic developments—dynamic targeting, increased tempo, possible involvement of foreign navies, and uncertainty over the next moves in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Quote: “We’re starting to hit nuclear R and D site storage facilities. We're really starting to step it up...” (B, 05:30–06:30)

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Opening and Trump’s position
• 03:00 – Information, trustworthiness
• 05:09 – Military strategy update

2. Navigating Uncertainty: Who Can You Trust?

Segment: 08:02–13:45

• Faith, Facts, and Filling the Gaps: The hosts discuss their approaches to uncertainty—relying on credible reporters (Jessica), faith in leadership and demonstrated actions (Emily), and openness to not knowing (Dana, Greg).
  • Quote: "The sign of a smart person is the ability to say, I don't know." (A, 04:58)
  • Quote: “What I fill the gaps in with is a faith that this president has my best interest in mind both in that macro and in that micro sense...” (E, 13:05)

Timestamps:

• 08:35 – Jessica on sourcing
• 11:55 – Emily on presidential trust

3. The Politics of Victimhood and Public Mourning

Segment: 14:26–24:32

• Mural Controversy: Democrats in Rhode Island cancel a mural honoring a Ukrainian murder victim; hosts criticize selective victim narratives.
  • Quote: “In a correct world, every female politician would have marched for ARENA and demanded justice reform legislation...But no, even AOC wouldn't speak for the girl who was murdered from her own high school. This is how ideology trumps compassion.” (A, 17:20)
• Liberal Hypocrisy Alleged: Accusations that those on the left erase tragedies that do not fit their ideological narratives, while amplifying others.
  • Quote: “Liberals will step over syringes ... But someone puts a mural of a dead woman ... and all of a sudden there’s this, like, groundswell...” (B, 22:31)
• Cultural Erasure: Emily and Dana point to examples of perceived erasure of viewpoints or heroism not aligned with progressive causes (e.g., J.K. Rowling omitted from exhibits, police ostracized).

Timestamps:

• 14:26 – Mural canceled
• 17:20 – Victimhood “scorecard” (Greg)

4. Progressive Wealth Tax and Economic Freedom

Segment: 25:27–33:37

• Policy Debates: Bernie Sanders and 2028 progressives push for a wealth tax; hosts claim such policies will drive prosperous individuals out of states and curb economic freedom.
  • Quote: “If we want to keep this republic going, we should talk a lot more about freedom, individual freedom and economic freedom. ... The gold rush is over. Because there’s no value proposition to encourage the people to stay.” (D, 26:25–28:42)
• Wealth Tax Critique: Hosts frame wealth taxes as economic tyranny and an affront to foundational principles.
  • Quote: “A wealth tax is a tax on their total value. That's a third layer … That is tyranny.” (A, 28:53)
• International Comparisons: Jessica notes that European countries largely abandoned wealth taxes, focusing instead on closing loopholes and budget priorities.

Timestamps:

• 25:27 – Sanders’ advocacy
• 28:42 – Dana on freedom and mobility
• 32:43 – Jessica on failed wealth taxes abroad

5. Women's Roles, The View, and Demographic Debates

Segment: 33:49–38:03

• Social Media & Public Discourse: The View reacts to discussions suggesting young women should get married/have families for societal benefit.
  • Quote: "What wraps a woman's worth up in her ovaries?" (C, 34:31)
• Hosts’ Takes: The panel agrees the U.S. faces a declining birthrate ("population crisis"), and debate the politicization/narrativization of these gender-related issues.
  • Quote: “We do objectively have a population crisis. The world—yeah, we do.” (C, 34:47)
  • Quote: "There is never going to be an ideal time for [having kids]... because you're going to regret it. Why do you think they made sex so pleasurable? It was to draw us in, to trick us into having kids." (A, 37:04)

Timestamps:

• 34:09 – The View’s reaction
• 37:04 – Greg on the benefits/challenges of family

6. Presidential Libraries: Trump vs. Obama

Segment: 38:18–39:34

• Comparison: Trump’s Miami library is likened to an inviting attraction versus Obama’s, described as standoffish.
  • Quote: “Compare this to Obama's library. So you have this which is like attracts people. ... And then you look at Obama’s and it’s like, please stay away from me.” (A, 38:31)
• Fundraising & Popularity: Discussion turns humorous as the hosts debate donor sources and popularity.

Timestamps:

• 38:18 – Trump library preview

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Greg Gutfeld (on trusting sources): “The sign of a smart person is the ability to say, I don't know.” (04:58)
• Emily Compagno (on presidential trust): “What I fill in the gaps with is a faith that this president has my best interest in mind…” (13:05)
• Greg Gutfeld (on victimhood): “We need a scorecard for victims. ... In a correct world, every female politician would have marched for ARENA and demanded justice reform legislation.” (17:20)
• Dana Perino (on economic freedom): “The gold rush is over. Because there’s no value proposition to encourage the people to stay.” (28:42)
• Jessica Tarlov (on population crisis): “We do objectively have a population crisis. ... We need more people.” (34:47)
• Greg Gutfeld (on parenthood): “There is never going to be an ideal time for [having kids]... because you're going to regret it. Why do you think they made sex so pleasurable? It was to draw us in, to trick us into having kids...” (37:04)

Episode Flow & Tone

• The episode features robust debate, sharp humor, and forceful critiques of both political opponents and the media.
• Hosts are candid about knowledge gaps, skeptical toward official narratives, and generally align with conservative skepticism toward progressive policies.
• Issues are often personalized, drawing on hosts’ backgrounds and direct experiences.

Useful Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps (MM:SS) | |------------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Operation Epic Fury/Trump-Iran | 00:00–11:50 | | Navigating Uncertainty | 08:02–13:45 | | Victimhood/Mural Controversy | 14:26–24:32 | | Progressive Wealth Tax Debate | 25:27–33:37 | | Women’s Roles & The View | 33:49–38:03 | | Trump vs. Obama Libraries | 38:18–39:34 |

This summary captures the episode's main themes, highlights, quotes, and structure for easy reference—especially for those who haven't listened.