Podcast Summary: The Five — "Grammys Go Anti-ICE"

Date: February 2, 2026
Host & Panelists: Dana Perino, Emily Compagno, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Watters, Greg Gutfeld, Michael Malice
Podcast: FOX News Podcasts

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the politicization of the 2026 Grammy Awards, where high-profile musicians and celebrities used their platforms to protest ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and immigration policy, drawing both critique and satire from "The Five." The panel explores the effectiveness of celebrity activism, broader political and cultural impacts, and shifts into discussions about doxing of ICE agents, demographic changes threatening Democrats’ electoral prospects, and recent media coverage of political figures like Gavin Newsom and Melania Trump.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Grammys Turn Political: Anti-ICE Protests

Key Segment: [00:55–05:17]

• Greg Gutfeld opens with condemnation of the Grammys, calling the show "terrible" and the host "lousy," (00:55).

• The Grammys drew attention as stars including Justin Bieber and Billie Eilish wore "ICE OUT" pins or called for immigration reform and attacks on Trump’s policies.

• Memorable Quotes:

  • Emily Compagno: “No one is illegal on stolen land.” (01:33)
  • Jesse Watters: “Immigrants built this country.” (01:47)

• Bill Maher is invoked to warn Democrats: “You’re making independents vote Republican,” criticizing performative activism (02:01).

• Celebrities’ activism is depicted as ineffective, performative, and potentially counterproductive.

Satire & Sarcasm:

• Panelists mock celebrities as out-of-touch and privileged.
  • Michael Malice: "Liberals run the Grammys like Trump runs the border. You have to show an ID to get in… The audience is global. That’s where the money is." (04:32)

Jelly Roll’s Speech: A Contrast

Key Segment: [02:37–03:01]

• Singer Jelly Roll is praised for sincerity and faith:
  • Jelly Roll via Harold Ford Jr.: “Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by political party. Jesus is Jesus and anybody can have a relationship with him.” (02:52)
• Panelists contrast his authenticity and hard background with the privileged lecturing by other stars.

2. Effectiveness of Celebrity Activism

Key Segment: [05:17–08:58]

• Harold Ford Jr. reiterates free speech rights and tells offended viewers to "just turn the channel."
• Emily Compagno criticizes celebrities’ entitlement and lack of real-world experience:
  • “To be lectured by these people whose lives have been buffered and bloated with comfort and entitlement… and have the gall to think their pin's actually going to matter or change something… have they done anything worth of substance whatsoever?” (06:37)
• Dana Perino and panel discuss Hollywood’s affinity for trendy causes versus substantive action.

Notable Quote:
Emily Compagno: “...destroyed by the production and the theater, which is what it is. It's kabuki to me.” (06:37)

3. The Hypocrisy & Psychology of Hollywood

Key Segment: [09:05–12:19]

• Mockery over "stolen land" rhetoric as panelists accuse stars of hypocrisy (living behind gates yet decrying borders).
• Jesse Watters psychoanalyzes celebrities as insecure and desperate to fit in:
  • “They look like adults, but they're actually children... They're frightened and insecure.” (09:34)
  • "Their empathy is purely performative and it's not real." (11:02)
• Celebrities’ embrace of Don Lemon and “performative empathy” is critiqued.
• ICE Achievements vs. Protest:
  • “ICE found 2,700 exploited children. They located 145,000 missing migrant kids while they were doing Adderall and Pilates.”
    (Jesse Watters, 11:45)

4. Anti-ICE Activism Moves to Doxing

Key Segment: [22:02–29:08]

• Escalation in tactics as activists dox ICE agents, using encrypted apps and websites to leak personal info.
• Violent protest activities noted nationwide.
• Body Cameras on ICE:
  • Greg Gutfeld: “They generally tend to be good for law enforcement because people can't lie about what's happening.” (22:56)
  • Emily Compagno and Harold Ford Jr. call for federal anti-doxing laws to protect agents and urge accountability for illegal protest activity.
• Jesse Watters: “It's not a band, it's a crime family... It's extortion, pretending to be protest.” (25:52)
• Gutfeld explores how protests are designed to “goad” law enforcement or civilians for viral moments, creating dangerous escalation.

5. Blue State Exodus & Demographic Shifts

Key Segment: [30:41–38:12]

• New census data indicates blue states losing population, threatening Democratic electoral chances.
• CNN Data Nerd: “We got a red state boom going on, a blue state depression going on...” (31:06)
• Dana Perino notes migrants are leaving liberal states for affordability, not "weather" (31:54).
• Harold Ford Jr. pushes back, saying “performance trumps population patterns,” arguing political fortunes are based more on policy performance than migration (33:12).
• Panel explores urban vs. suburban/rural dynamics and the role of economic opportunity and safety.

6. The Gavin Newsom Media Treatment

Key Segment: [13:14–21:21]

• Satirical discussion of a Vogue puff piece on CA Governor Gavin Newsom.
• Described as “embarrassingly handsome... his hair seasoned with silver, at ease with his own eminence...” (14:29)
• Michael Malice: "They're treating Governor Newsom like a hot chick—writing about his hair, art, and feelings, instead of grilling him on policy." (14:27)
• Greg Gutfeld: “People lost their homes, they lost their lives. And this author's writing a piece with one hand... you didn't ask him about the fires.” (18:03)
• Dana Perino: "He could really benefit from tougher press… the best thing he'd get right now is tougher press because it would make him better." (20:13)

7. Melania Trump Documentary

Key Segment: [38:26–39:46]

• “Melania: The Movie” opens to box office success.
• Panelists praise Melania’s mystique and independence.
• Emily Compagno: “Whenever the Rotten Tomatoes are like a million and the critics are nothing, you know it's a good film.” (39:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bill Maher (via Dana): “Let me assure you, you are making independents vote Republican.” (02:29)
• Emily Compagno: “It's kabuki to me.” (06:37)
• Michael Malice: “Liberals run the Grammys like Trump runs the border.” (04:32)
• Jesse Watters: "It's not a band. It's a crime family... It's extortion, pretending to be protest." (25:52)
• Dana Perino: "[Newsom] could really benefit from tougher press because it would make him better." (20:13)
• Emily Compagno (on Melania doc): “Whenever the Rotten Tomatoes are like a million and the critics are nothing, you know it's a good film.” (39:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:55–05:17: Grammys go political; ICE protests; Bill Maher's critique
• 05:17–09:05: Effectiveness of celebrity activism, reactions to Jelly Roll vs. Billie Eilish
• 09:05–12:19: Panel skewers Hollywood hypocrisy and mindset
• 13:14–21:21: Vogue’s Gavin Newsom profile, discussion of press bias and political image
• 22:02–29:08: Doxxing ICE agents, escalation of protest tactics, legal implications
• 30:41–38:12: Demographic shifts, census data, implications for Democrats
• 38:26–39:46: Melania Trump documentary's success

Tone and Style

The episode is marked by biting sarcasm, sharp contrasts between political activism and performative gestures, and frequent humorous or mocking asides. The panel uses satire to critique celebrities' activism and mainstream media coverage of political figures, underscoring their arguments with a blend of mockery and pointed political commentary.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode offers a sharp, humorous, and at times scathing review of Hollywood’s foray into immigration politics, with particular ire for perceived celebrity hypocrisy and ineffectiveness. It further tracks the cultural, legal, and demographic battles that may shape the next decade’s politics—from doxing and law enforcement to shifting electoral maps and media portrayals of rising political stars. The Five’s signature banter and quick-witted style make for a lively interrogation of the week’s hot topics.