The Five – Podcast Summary

Episode: FAA Flight Cuts Begin As Shutdown Drags
Date: November 8, 2025
Host & Panel: Martha MacCallum, Paul Morrow Kennedy, Jesse Watters, Greg Gutfeld, Kennedy

Episode Overview

This episode of The Five carries the lively roundtable’s signature mix of serious political analysis and irreverent banter, centering on the escalating pain points of the ongoing government shutdown—particularly FAA-induced air travel disruptions, the gridlocked standoff in Congress, and the resulting political posturing from both parties. The latter half of the show transitions into an energetic discussion about the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, culture and merit, New York politics shifting left, as well as lighter segments exploring quirky holiday shopping frenzies and fun audience Q&A.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FAA Flight Cuts & Government Shutdown Fallout

(Timestamps: 00:00–12:10)

• Painful Flight Reductions:
  The panel opens with details on the FAA’s phased reductions: a 4% cut in air traffic, jumping to 6% by Tuesday, 8% by Thursday, 10% by Friday, and with warnings up to 20%. Secretary Duffy is cited as warning about escalating impacts.

• Political Blame Game:

  • Donald Trump is aired criticizing Democrats for blocking efforts to end the shutdown, asserting they're “crazy, but they don't care if they hurt the country.”

    “Americans have voted 14 times to open up the country and the Democrats have voted 14 times to hurt the country.” — Trump (as recapped by panel, 01:41)

  • Democrats, according to Martha, see the shutdown as working in their favor and are pushing for a longer extension of Obamacare subsidies.

• Branding, Filibuster, & Senate Dynamics:

  • Senator Chris Murphy’s candid worry about the party’s image is highlighted:

    “There will be some pretty substantial damage done to a Democratic brand that has been rehabilitated if … we immediately stop fighting.” — Senator Murphy (02:32)

  • Paul argues for reviving the “talking filibuster,” to create public accountability:

    “Make them do it. Make them suffer. … Right now, it’s all being done in a very anodyne, way off stage.” (04:35)

  • Kennedy expresses concerns about abolishing the filibuster, fearing loss of compromise and future repercussions. She also personalizes the shutdown’s effect:

    “My brother is in town from Portland … he's worried he's not going to get a flight on Sunday… timing is curious because we're creeping up on Thanksgiving… the one holiday we have to… bring people together.” (06:02)

• Pressures, Precedent, & Public Perception:

  • Jesse disputes that Democrats are united, indicating moderate Dems may soon yield:

    “My sources in the Senate are saying the moderate Democrats are about to cave. They need five more…” (07:25)

  • He warns against Republicans caving:

    “If they cave and give them all these Obamacare goodies, they're going to come back next year … for twice as much. It sets a terrible precedent.” (08:01)

  • Greg strikes a sarcastic note, suggesting the shutdown is a minor blip for most—another excuse to skip Thanksgiving flights:

    “What a great excuse to skip Thanksgiving. There are a lot of people that … can't make it. … Flying sucks… The FAA has always been a mess.” (09:20)

  • The discussion highlights the disconnect between politicians’ protected status and ordinary Americans' headaches.

2. FOX Nation Patriot Awards & Positive American Culture

(Timestamps: 12:37–22:23)

• Celebrating Heroes:

  • The segment turns upbeat as the hosts discuss the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, lauding everyday heroes and First Lady Melania Trump, who received the “Patriot of the Year” award.
  • Notable moment: Erica Kirk’s moving speech about legacy and moral courage:

    “He knew that evil wins when good people stay silent. … Let's embrace the spirit of ambition. Embrace different perspectives, even opposing ones. Open your mind, then change the world…” — Erica Kirk (13:18)

  • Pete Hegseth, “Secretary of War,” makes headlines by rebuking progressive agendas:

    “No more gender quotas, no more DEI, no more climate change… No more dudes in dresses.” (14:12, 14:25, Hegseth and Gutfeld)

• Panel Reactions & Cultural Commentary:

  • The panel gushes over DJ Daniel, a young, inspirational law enforcement advocate.
  • Fox’s role in creating “their own culture” is explored:

    “It’s an example of making your own culture… Culture shapes your thoughts and you are what you think. … You need positive and uplifting stuff.” — Greg Gutfeld (18:08)

  • Melania Trump’s advocacy is described as “pro-capitalism, pro-ambition,” contrasted with anti-meritocratic trends the panel associates with New York left-leaning candidates.

3. New York City, Mamdani, and The Democratic Party’s Left Turn

(Timestamps: 23:37–31:47)

• Mamdani's Rise & Party Identity Crisis:

  • Panel discusses the ascendance of Zoran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders-aligned progressives, warning of a “commie revolution” in New York.
  • Paul dryly notes national Democratic leadership is in flux:

    “The top result is a person called don’t know, followed by Kamala, then another person called Nobody, then Schumer and Jeffries.” (24:16)

  • Kennedy critiques the left’s “class warfare” and dismissal of innovation:

    “They want to convince you that billionaires have taken all of your stuff… they need as much money and as much power concentrated in their leadership as possible...” (24:47)

• Anti-American Sentiment & International Socialism:

  • Martha remarks the trend is more about tearing down American/global power than strictly economics.

    “He didn’t say anything about… the greatness of America. He talked about what he wanted to tear down.” (26:43)

  • Paul frames socialism/communism as a borderless movement, pointing toward its global history.

• Crime, Fairness, and Political Blinders:

  • Greg analyzes the left as obsessed with “unfairness” above other factors, highlighting trade-off blindness in crime and economic policy:

    “Hundreds of variables… but they only focus on unfairness… When you get mugged… it’s an unfairness problem.” (30:15)

  • Jesse outlines a blunt Republican answer for affordability:

    “If rent’s too high, deport the illegals and build more apartments. It’s like so stupid, obvious even I understand it.” (28:14)

4. Lighter Fare: Cup Mania, Karaoke, and Animal Antics

(Timestamps: 32:05–41:00)

• Starbucks Barista Cup Craze:

  • The panel riff on the mania for Starbucks’ collectible “bearista” cups, likening the craze to America’s “Labubu mania.”

    “They stuck a straw in the honey bear’s head and called it a bearista.” — Jesse Watters (33:12) “This is not about coffee. This is about sugar. … Starbucks… is a candy store for adults.” — Greg Gutfeld (34:08)

• Fan Mail & Panelist Antics:

  • The panel reveals which magazine cover they’d want and their go-to karaoke songs, sharing playful jabs and mock boasts.
  • Martha: “Town and Country.”
  • Jesse: “Playgirl.”
  • Kennedy: “Ebony.”
  • Paul: “American Billionaire.”
  • Greg: “Woefully Underappreciated Monthly.”

• ‘One More Thing’ Fun:

  • Greg shares “Sexy Wallaroo News.”
  • Paul tells a story of a woman saving a shark.
  • Jesse covers volcanic eruptions and jokes, “Who does that? Seven and a half hours?”
  • Kennedy recounts an officer wrestling a hostile swan.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You don't want FAA guys looking at their phones, worrying about their mortgages. … This is a procedural thing.” — Paul Morrow Kennedy (03:22)
• “It is supposed to be the upper chamber, but they are acting like they're swilling whatever is left over in a chamber pot.” — Kennedy on Senate decorum (05:30)
• “The Dems picked the wrong bird to play chicken with. Trump's solution is to always go harder.” — Greg Gutfeld (10:58)
• “Let's embrace different perspectives, even opposing ones. Open your mind, then change the world…” — Erica Kirk, Patriot Awards (13:18)
• “No more dudes in dresses. We're done with that.” — Greg Gutfeld paraphrasing Pete Hegseth (14:25)
• “[Mamdani] wants to dismantle the very conditions that allowed Donald Trump to become a real estate tycoon and then president.” — Martha MacCallum (21:55)
• “If rent's too high, deport the illegals and build more apartments. … So stupid, obvious even I understand it.” — Jesse Watters (28:14)
• "Culture shapes your thoughts and you are what you think." — Greg Gutfeld (18:08)

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• FAA shutdown/air travel: 00:00–12:10
• Patriot Awards/FOX culture: 12:37–22:23
• NYC, Mamdani, Left politics: 23:37–31:47
• Light banter, holiday cups, karaoke, animal news: 32:05–41:00

Tone & Language

As always, The Five delivers lively, punchy, and sometimes sardonic debate, with Greg Gutfeld and Jesse Watters injecting wry humor and mock provocation, Kennedy offering acerbic wit, Martha MacCallum pivoting between moderation and sharp analysis, and Paul Morrow Kennedy giving procedural and big-picture context.

Conclusion

The episode tackles real-time developments in the shutdown and air travel, frames them as chess pieces in wider political and cultural conflicts, and uses humor and audience engagement to keep the discussion accessible and relatable. The interplay between earnest concern (for workers, for governance, for American character) and satire (on everything from Senate antics to viral Starbucks cups) is quintessential The Five.