Podcast Summary: The Five – "Dem Party “A Cracked-Out Clown Car”"
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host/Authors: FOX News Podcasts (Jesse Watters, Katie Pavlich, Greg Gutfeld, Sandra Smith, Harold Ford Jr.)
Duration: Approximately 42 minutes

1. Democratic Party in Crisis: James Carville's Critique

The episode opens with a scathing critique of the Democratic Party's internal turmoil, highlighting James Carville's concerns about party disunity.

• James Carville's Assessment (00:00 - 01:06):
  • Quote: "Constipated, leaderless, confused, a cracked out clown car divided." – James Carville
  • Discussion: Carville criticizes the Democrats for their lack of cohesion, suggesting they are heading towards a "civilized civil war." This metaphor underscores the chaotic and disorganized state of the party.

2. Hunter Biden's Controversial Podcast Tour

The hosts delve into Hunter Biden's recent activities, particularly his "Pity My Dad" podcast tour, and its ramifications for the Democratic Party.

• Hunter Biden's Behavior (01:06 - 02:18):

  • Quote: "He flew around the world, basically the mileage that he could have flown around the world three times." – Greg Gutfeld (01:06)
  • Discussion: Hunter Biden is portrayed as erratic and attention-seeking, undermining the Democratic Party's image. His behavior during a debate, where he appeared disoriented, is criticized as unproductive and damaging to his father's campaign.

• Impact on Democrats (02:18 - 07:26):

  • Quote: "It's gonna take a year or so for the Democrats to feel normal again, to rediscover their balls." – Greg Gutfeld (05:49)
  • Discussion: The hosts argue that Hunter Biden's actions are symptomatic of deeper issues within the Democratic Party, including a "woke hangover" that has led to policy and ideological overreaches. This has resulted in the party's inability to effectively address key voter concerns.

3. The Detrimental Effects of Wokeism on the Democratic Party

A significant portion of the discussion centers on how "wokeism" has eroded the Democratic Party's foundational strengths.

• Wokeism as a Double-Edged Sword (02:47 - 09:56):

  • Quote: "Wokeism is destructive because it put everything into a simplistic equation of oppressor or victim." – Greg Gutfeld (03:58)
  • Discussion: The hosts argue that while wokeism initially provided clarity, its long-term effects have been detrimental, leading to oversimplification of societal issues and division within the party. This ideological rigidity has weakened the party's ability to communicate effectively with voters.

• Leadership and Change (09:56 - 10:03):

  • Quote: "We deserve what we get." – Greg Gutfeld (09:56)
  • Discussion: The consensus is that Democratic leadership has failed to adapt and address internal fractures, leaving the party vulnerable to external challenges and diminishing its appeal to the broader electorate.

4. Sanctuary Cities and Rising Crime Rates

The conversation shifts focus to immigration policies, particularly the concept of sanctuary cities, and their alleged role in increasing crime rates.

• Case Study: Police Officer Shooting (11:35 - 21:57):

  • Quote: "These sanctuary city policies protect perpetrators and make our streets less safe." – Katie Pavlich (18:23)
  • Discussion: The hosts cite specific incidents, such as the shooting of an off-duty CBP officer by illegal immigrants, to argue that sanctuary cities contribute to higher crime rates. They blame Democratic policies for hindering effective law enforcement cooperation with federal authorities.

• Policy Solutions and Criticisms (16:01 - 22:32):

  • Quote: "We can probably for one issue here when regarding what we do with people who are gardeners, people who are... who own businesses..." – Katie Pavlich (15:46)
  • Discussion: The panel proposes stringent immigration enforcement, emphasizing the deportation of violent offenders while acknowledging the complexity of handling non-violent immigrants. They criticize Democrats for enabling sanctuary city practices that, in their view, compromise public safety.

5. Department of Transportation's DEI Policies Under Pete Buttigieg

The hosts critique former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's Department of Transportation (DOT) policies, focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

• Allocation of Funds (30:33 - 36:19):

  • Quote: "$80 billion on DEI grants, which delayed air traffic control upgrades." – Sandra Smith (31:16)
  • Discussion: The allocation of substantial funds towards DEI programs is criticized for diverting resources from critical infrastructure upgrades, leading to operational inefficiencies like air traffic control delays.

• Impact on Safety and Efficiency (35:00 - 36:13):

  • Quote: "DEI contaminated every industry by calling into question the experience and competence of people who attained that certain status." – Greg Gutfeld (32:59)
  • Discussion: The hosts argue that DEI initiatives have compromised the merit-based selection and training processes in industries where safety is paramount, such as aviation. They assert that these policies have eroded public trust in professionals' qualifications.

6. Celebrities and the "Woke" Culture: Alec Baldwin's TikTok Trend

Shifting gears, the episode discusses recent celebrity behaviors perceived as emblematic of excessive "woke" culture.

• Alec Baldwin's Baby Trend (38:18 - 40:26):
  • Quote: "Dressing up like a baby in a bizarre TikTok trend... It's absurd." – Katie Pavlich (38:22)
  • Discussion: The hosts express disdain for TikTok trends involving celebrities dressing as babies, viewing them as trivial and indicative of misplaced cultural priorities. This segment underscores concerns about celebrities prioritizing viral trends over substantive issues.

7. In Memoriam: Ozzy Osbourne

The podcast concludes with a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, celebrating his legacy and impact on the music industry.

• Ozzy Osbourne's Legacy (40:55 - 41:56):
  • Quote: "He inspired thousands of metal bands and a lot of those bands are good." – Greg Gutfeld (41:16)
  • Discussion: The hosts honor Ozzy Osbourne's contributions to music, highlighting his role in shaping the metal genre and his influence on upcoming artists. They extend condolences to his family, emphasizing his lasting impact on the cultural landscape.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, The Five provides a critical analysis of the Democratic Party's internal struggles, the repercussions of certain Democratic policies on national security and infrastructure, and broader cultural phenomena they perceive as detrimental. The hosts consistently advocate for conservative viewpoints, emphasizing the need for party unity, effective policy-making, and resistance against what they term as "wokeism." Notable moments include James Carville's vivid metaphors for party disarray, the ongoing controversy surrounding Hunter Biden, and stringent critiques of DEI initiatives within governmental departments.

Key Takeaways:

• The Democratic Party is portrayed as fragmented and ineffective, struggling with internal divisions and ideological excesses.
• Hunter Biden's actions are seen as harmful to the party's image and electoral prospects.
• Sanctuary city policies are criticized for compromising public safety and law enforcement efficacy.
• DEI initiatives are viewed as detrimental to essential services and infrastructure, diverting critical resources.
• Cultural trends, especially those endorsed by celebrities, are scrutinized for promoting triviality over substance.
• The episode closes with a respectful tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, acknowledging his influential legacy.

Notable Quotes:

• "Wokeism is destructive because it put everything into a simplistic equation of oppressor or victim." – Greg Gutfeld (03:58)
• "You can never forget it." – Greg Gutfeld (20:27)
• "If Democrats were out on tours across the country... trying to figure out why that is the case, learning how AI can reduce the cost of health care..." – Greg Gutfeld (05:11)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the primary discussions and viewpoints presented in the episode, providing a clear understanding for those who have not listened to it.