Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: "Frantic New Search For Nancy Guthrie"
Date: February 12, 2026
Host/Panel: Kayleigh McEnany, Kennedy, Jesse Waters, Dana Perino, Greg Gutfeld, Paul Morrow (contributor)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on developing updates in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, with the panel analyzing law enforcement actions, potential evidence, and public response as the search intensifies in Arizona. The hosts also touch on major political and societal trends, spanning economic achievements under President Trump, Democratic Party shifts, marijuana legalization backlash, and youth culture changes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Developments in the Nancy Guthrie Case

(01:09 – 16:05)

Latest Law Enforcement Activity

• Investigators returned to homes of both Nancy and her sister Annie Guthrie; officials were seen leaving Annie's house with bags, possibly related to the investigation.
• The FBI found a black glove roughly a mile and a half from Nancy's residence, possibly resembling the one seen on surveillance footage.
• Law enforcement detained Carlos Palos for questioning, later releasing him. Digital leads may have informed his questioning.

Panel Analysis & Law Enforcement Expert Commentary

• Paul Morrow: Noted the possibility of extracting DNA from the found glove and the use of IGG DNA for broader familial matching. He expressed skepticism:

  "He was robed up foot to head to make sure…he didn't leave any DNA. He throws one glove out the window as he leaves the scene. It's a little bit much to believe at this point." (04:40)

• Morrow also speculated on private investigators' involvement at Annie Guthrie’s home, suggesting recent activity may be more about personal security than evidence collection.

Polygraph and "Tickling the Wire" Techniques

• Kennedy: Proposed Savannah Guthrie (Nancy's daughter) offer a polygraph to press others around her to do the same (11:01).
• Paul Morrow: Argued a large reward could be more effective than polygraphs, especially so long after abduction.
• Greg Gutfeld: Asked about "tickling the wire," to which Morrow explained both the traditional and current usage:

  “They were probably hoping to tickle the bitcoin wire, so to speak, to get him either reaching in for…the money or maybe seeing an alert go out…" (13:37)

Ransom Note Doubts

• Dana Perino: Questioned the legitimacy of ransom notes going to TMZ, especially with requests for Bitcoin.
• Paul Morrow: Was skeptical, comparing it to typical cyber scammers and noting no real evidence any were from actual kidnappers.

2. Politics & Economy: Trump Era Success and Messaging

(16:44 – 23:10)

Record Jobs and Crime Drop

• U.S. economy reportedly added 130,000 jobs in January, doubling expectations; unemployment at 4.3%.
• Jesse Waters:

  "He has now slashed the federal workforce to levels not seen since 1966. Slash crime to levels not seen since 1900. And now I think all time illegal alien crossings at a record low... if he was a Democrat, the media would cover this guy as like this economic miracle." (18:22)

• Discussion covered how messaging shapes perceptions and the challenge for Trump to "sell" his successes in spite of media framing ("crime plunges in major cities despite Trump's crackdown rhetoric"—Axios).

School Safety and Crime Stats

• Kayleigh McEnany: Noted the lowest rate of school shootings in four years, credited strong law enforcement partnerships, and lamented lack of media coverage:

  "As a mom…I think I speak for every mother in America when I say thank you for making a difference there." (23:26)

Importance of Targeted Political Messaging

• Panel stressed the need for clear, strategic communication from the White House, focusing on concrete, feelable benefits like tax refunds, gas prices, school safety.

3. Democratic Party: Socialist Surge and Intra-Party Tensions

(25:04 – 30:58)

Socialist Candidates Ascendant

• Discussion of Democratic Socialists gaining ground in local and congressional races—from New Jersey to California.
• Kennedy:

  "Not all Democrats are socialists, but all socialists are Democrats." (25:56)

• Dana Perino: Cautioned about Republican strategies that could backfire by promoting socialists in primaries.
• Kayleigh McEnany:

  "66% of Democrats have a favorable view of socialism. That's Gallup. But…Democrats are going to be eaten by their own." (30:03)

Los Angeles Mayoral Race

• Debated the implications of socialist city council members challenging moderates like Karen Bass, including radical proposals (e.g., turning golf courses into public housing).
• Panel joked about the "turlet," with Gutfeld deriding current mayoral leadership.

4. Marijuana Legalization: New Scrutiny and Social Backlash

(31:28 – 36:57)

New York Times Op-Ed and Real-World Effects

• NYT op-ed highlights rising daily marijuana use and growing public health concerns.
• Panel Tone: Generally critical and skeptical of mass legalization, emphasizing neglected problems such as addiction and increased street psychosis.
• Kennedy:

  "The wild wild west of THC potency is adding a whole fresh layer to the psychosis that's on the street." (34:48)

• Greg Gutfeld:

  "Because it hadn't been studied, because you didn’t know the effects…when the market was flooded…these horrible laws…really didn't do anything about the black market." (33:45)

• Noted absence of effective regulatory moderation and failure of promised positive effects.

Personal Takes and Societal Impact

• Dana Perino: On legalization advocates:

  "It was a very unpopular opinion at the time. And now I'm in agreement with the New York Times." (34:41)

• Panelists agreed both marijuana and alcohol can induce psychosis, but public attitudes differ starkly.

5. Gen Z Culture Shift: Driving, Independence, and Mobile Living

(37:52 – 39:58)

• Gen Z is less likely to get a driver's license at 16, attributed to expense, digital connection, urban living, and parental caution.
• Jesse Waters:

  "If you don’t have a license by 16, you’re basically deportable." (38:32)

• Dana Perino: Laments social changes, noting kids now “visit” friends digitally rather than in-person.
• Kennedy: Points to the loss of 'cool' affordable cars due to past government incentive programs, e.g., "cash for clunkers."

6. "One More Thing" – Rapid-Fire Closing Comments

(40:15 – End)

• Panel closes with brief asides: emus at the Oakland Zoo, Trump's EPA rollback, Fox Nation specials, and a juggling unicyclist—typical light banter to wrap up.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paul Morrow (on the glove):
  "If it is, in fact, one of the gloves that the perpetrator wore at the scenes, then of course, this would be a very, very big break…" (04:40)

• Greg Gutfeld (on media narrative):
  "They admit that the crime is dropping, but then they add that word 'despite.' So they note the numbers, they change the story with the hope that that becomes the narrative…" (19:23)

• Kennedy (on the left's direction):
  "Not all Democrats are socialists, but all socialists are Democrats." (25:56)

• Kayleigh McEnany (on socialism in the party):
  "66% of Democrats have a favorable view of socialism. That's Gallup. But…Democrats are going to be eaten by their own." (30:03)

• Greg Gutfeld (on marijuana policy):
  "Because it hadn't been studied…when the market was flooded and Pandora’s box opened…it was ripe for people to go and abuse it because it’s no longer illegal." (33:45)

• Kennedy (on addiction’s root):
  "Addiction takes you away from life, it takes you away from God, it takes you away from any kind of connection…every time you get high, ask yourself why you're doing it." (36:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Nancy Guthrie Case Updates: 01:09 – 16:05
• Trump Era Economic/Crime Stats: 16:44 – 23:10
• Democratic Party, Socialism: 25:04 – 31:07
• Marijuana Legalization Backlash: 31:28 – 36:57
• Gen Z and Driving: 37:52 – 39:58
• Closing Comments & Banter: 40:00 – End

Recap

This episode offered a deep dive into the ongoing Nancy Guthrie disappearance, with law enforcement insights and critical speculation about investigative leads, public pleas, and theories around digital evidence and ransom notes. The latter half saw the panel pivot to vibrant commentary on the Trump administration's economic triumphs, the shifting ideological landscape within the Democratic Party, the pitfalls of mass marijuana legalization, and distinct generational trends, all while maintaining the program's characteristic blend of sharp debate and energetic banter.