The Five – "Election Day In America" (November 5, 2025)

Episode Overview

This Election Day special of The Five dives into the high-stakes gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, and the dramatically polarized mayoral contest in New York City. The panel—Dana Perino, Kayleigh McEnany, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Watters, and Greg Gutfeld—debate the national significance of these races, the ideological realignment within both parties, and the social, economic, and political flashpoints electrifying the 2025 elections. Key stories include the rise of Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani, Trump's surprising Cuomo endorsement, the state of American cities, and partisan attacks from figures like Nancy Pelosi.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The New York City Mayoral Showdown

• The Candidates: Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo (D), and Republican Curtis Sliwa compete for the mayoral seat.

• Trump's Role: President Trump endorses Cuomo, threatening fund cuts if Mamdani wins, signaling a direct Republican strategy to paint Mamdani as a "face of Democratic socialism."

• Concern Over Socialism: Kayleigh McEnany criticizes Mamdani’s promises of "free stuff," pointing out the financial strain and exodus of high-income taxpayers from the city ([03:00]):

  “You are promising free stuff… it sounds harsh, lying to your voters who are not going to wake up tomorrow with free child care, city run grocery stores and the like.” – Kayleigh McEnany [03:16]

• Panel Response: Harold Ford Jr. acknowledges Mamdani’s appeal but positions him as a symptom rather than the center of Democratic identity ([04:37]):

  “Mondami won't be the face of the Democratic Party… he has touched on the issue that… has animated this race not only in New York, but all across the country.” – Harold Ford Jr. [05:28]

• Greg Gutfeld’s Perspective: Frames Mamdani’s rise as a "hangover of wokeism," suggesting he is more a repercussion of movement excess than a herald of the party's future ([10:46]):

  “Zoran may be not a harbinger of the future, but a result of the past… like the tail at the comet of wokeism.” – Greg Gutfeld [10:46]

2. National Consequences of State Elections

• Local Races, National Stakes: The panel describes the Virginia and New Jersey elections as bellwethers for both parties, particularly in the context of shifting demographics after COVID.
• Recurring Themes: McEnany identifies issues like parental rights, "woke" ideology, and economic anxiety as animators for both past Trump victories and today's races ([02:16]):

  “Parents having rights in schools... animated the election that won Donald Trump the White House.” – Kayleigh McEnany [02:16]

3. Polarization and Vitriol: The Pelosi Segment

• Nancy Pelosi Goes "Beast Mode": Pelosi calls Trump "the worst thing on the face of the earth," prompting reactions from the panel ([16:35-16:56]).
• Panel Rebuke: McEnany calls Pelosi’s statement “asinine,” comparing it to geopolitical atrocities and highlighting hyperbolic rhetoric ([21:13]):

  “Worst person on planet earth, really. Worse than Hamas, who killed children. Worse than Putin, who abducted children...” – Kayleigh McEnany [21:13]

• Harold’s Call for Civility: Advocates for passionate disagreement but condemns personal hatred ([22:16]):

  “You can have rabid and massive disagreements… that doesn't mean that you have to hold hate in your heart for someone.” – Harold Ford Jr. [22:16]

4. Economic Anxiety and Everyday Politics

• Quality of Life Campaigns: In New Jersey, taxes and household economics dominate, with plastic bags becoming a surprising symbol ([27:36]):

  “At the supermarket you can have back your plastic bags.” – Jack Cittarelli (quoted by Kayleigh McEnany at [27:36])

• Panel Humor and Frustration: Dana connects plastic bag debate to “politically correct” overreach, while Gutfeld and Jesse lament the lack of bold energy policy, mocking candidates with frivolous names ([30:10], [30:16]).

5. Energy and Climate Policy Debates

• Republican Pushback: Gutfeld rails against “fraudulent climate agenda” and advocates for nuclear energy innovation, criticizing both parties for past neglect ([30:28]):

  “The country with the most energy wins. And this stuff is going to be really expensive until we start embracing nuclear, which we have basically shunned for decades because we were lied to.” – Greg Gutfeld [31:28]

6. Political Violence and Candidate Controversy in Virginia

• Jay Jones Scandal: Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones faces heat for violent, explicit texts about murdering a Republican colleague.
• Panel Disgust: McEnany and Gutfeld highlight the moral and political hypocrisy, noting a lack of Democratic calls for his withdrawal ([36:14]):

  “Jay Jones should have been forced out of the race. Abigail Spamberger could have put a stop to it.” – Dana Perino [34:04] “He threatened to murder a family. In any arena, think about this, you would not hire him… yet you would have him as attorney General.” – Greg Gutfeld [35:12]

7. Realignment, Apathetic Electorate, and Final Poll Numbers

• Voter Priorities: Fox polling shows economy remains the top issue in both Virginia (49%) and New Jersey (taxes, 34%), with Trump less of a direct factor ([38:33-40:20]).
• Panel Reflection: Repeated critiques of candidates who define themselves by opposition rather than positive policy, and speculation on the future directions of both parties.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Choices Facing Voters:

  “We're being told we have to vote for a guy who killed our grandparents so the other guy doesn't win and kill their grandchildren. This is like saying to a guy on death row, how do you want to die?” – Jesse Watters [07:57]

• On Left-Wing Candidates:

  “He is a 34-year-old with no experience. He's like slotted into a role like an actor chosen for a part.” – Greg Gutfeld [12:11]

• On Nancy Pelosi's Outburst:

  “She has got spurs on her tongue because she's got a sharp one…” – Dana Perino [17:14]

• On Morality in Politics:

  “Put aside the economy, crime, everything, that's morality issues.” – Kayleigh McEnany [36:14]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Start Time | |----------------------------------------------|-------------| | NYC Mayoral and National Ramifications | 00:53 | | McEnany on Welfare and Tax Flight | 03:00 | | Ford on Mamdani's Role/Party Realignment | 04:37 | | Gutfeld: Mamdani as Woke “Hangover” | 10:46 | | The Panel on Pelosi's Trump Attacks | 16:35 | | McEnany Rebukes Pelosi, Ford Calls for Civility | 21:13 | | NJ/VA Governors, Plastic Bags as a Symbol | 27:36 | | Gutfeld on Energy Policy & Nuclear | 30:28 | | Political Violence: Jay Jones Scandal | 34:04 | | Fox Voter Poll Results and Panel Analysis | 38:33 |

Final Thoughts

The episode captures Election Day’s feverish blend of high drama, deep polarization, and everyday anxieties. Panelists oscillate between caustic humor and genuine worry about the direction of America’s cities and parties. Through spirited debate, pointed zingers, and a parade of memorable soundbites, The Five distills the turbulent mood of 2025: a tense crossroads for public policy, party identity, and American civic life.

For more detailed coverage, see the referenced timestamps for in-depth discussion of each major segment.