The Five – "Greasy Savior"
FOX News Podcasts
Date: December 12, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode of "The Five," panelists Jesse Watters, Kennedy, Harold Ford Jr., Dana Perino, and Lawrence Jones dive into the surging prominence of California Governor Gavin Newsom as the Democratic "frontrunner" amid critiques of his record, particularly regarding California’s affordability crisis and homelessness. The discussion transitions to immigration controversies, including Illinois Governor Pritzker's new policies and the Democrats’ general approach to border security and crime. They also touch on the media’s focus on President Trump’s health (versus Biden’s), growing impeachment talk in Congress, and end with a mix of lighter news and personal announcements.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Gavin Newsom: The "Greasy Savior" and Democratic Frontrunner
- Newsom's Rise: The New York Times puts Newsom in the Democratic spotlight. The panel debates if media softball coverage can withstand the reality of his gubernatorial record.
- Jesse Watters: “Looks like the Democrats’ greasy savior has risen to the top of the pack.” (00:33)
- Newsom’s Own Words:
- Gavin Newsom: “Trump is one of the most destructive presidents and human beings in my lifetime. I think this republic is at real risk...” (01:11)
- Affordability and Homelessness: Newsom admits his state struggles and calls poverty “the poster child of our failure as a state.” (01:52)
- Panel’s Take: Slippery Substance
- Kennedy: Criticizes Newsom for being politically expedient and lacking authenticity. Cites an anecdote about him dodging a tough question in crisis. (02:57)
- Lawrence Jones: Compares Newsom’s “word salad” rhetoric to cotton candy: “It melts on contact.” (04:10)
- Harold Ford Jr.: Wants real solutions, like a national crime bill and federal permitting reform, but dings “politicians who lie.”
- Dana Perino: Warns Newsom’s “superficiality is absolutely not enough.” Looks forward to a primary where other Democrats will “dismantle his record so quickly.” (08:09)
Notable Quote
- “He comes across…as slippery. He's very defensive, and he's talking so quickly. It's like he's trying to get at us, saying what he really thinks.”
— Jesse Watters (03:56)
2. Immigration, Borders, and Law Enforcement
- Crisis in Illinois: Governor JB Pritzker signs legislation creating more obstacles for ICE, intent on “resisting” federal enforcement.
- Jesse Watters: Lampoons the “sanctuary apartment” loophole: “A migrant can just lease an apartment 500ft from a courthouse…live in a little sanctuary apartment. It’s insane, and it’s gonna get knocked down.” (15:05)
- Debate Over Policy and Reality:
- Harold Ford Jr.: States can’t “usurp federal law” but hopes for nuanced legal debate and bipartisan cooperation.
- Kennedy: Highlights that migrants might attend asylum hearings while facing criminal charges, favoring tough enforcement.
- Partisan Gridlock:
- Dana Perino: “Neither party wants to do [immigration reform] when they've got the presidency and both houses of Congress…So what we're stuck with is a shifting set of rules based on executive order and immigration trends.” (20:21)
- Jesse Watters: Emphasizes the challenges caused by sanctuary policies—“New York has released 7,000 criminal migrants into the streets.” (22:14)
- Harold Ford Jr.: Reiterates consensus around targeting “the worst of the worst” but notes a lack of follow-through from city governments.
Notable Quote
- “If they came in and said, we want the worst of the worst, we'd have every mayor.”
— Harold Ford Jr. (23:22)
3. Media Coverage: Presidential Health and Authenticity
- Late Night Attacks on Trump:
- Lawrence Jones: Skewers Kimmel and the “resistance” for suddenly caring about Trump’s health after ignoring concerns about Biden.
- Kennedy: Observes the double standard—“You cannot say anything about it…because they said absolutely nothing until the President…fell apart on a stage.” (25:36)
- Harold Ford Jr.: Praises Trump’s energy (“98% of the time this guy is available”), says critiques should focus on policy substance, not personal traits. (27:53)
- Memorable Moments:
- Dana Perino shares an anecdote about Trump not allowing rest for staff on overseas flights. (27:10)
- Panelists riff on Gavin Newsom putting “his legs behind his head” for a photo and poke fun at notable politicians’ eyebrows. (29:59)
Notable Quotes
- “The pettiness of the personal stuff I just don't get.”
— Harold Ford Jr. (28:44) - “He’s flexible…That’s a Kama Sutra position.”
— Panel banter on Newsom’s photo (30:01)
4. Impeachment Mania: Cabinet Showdowns
- House Democrat Pushes Impeachment of RFK Jr.:
- Clip from Rep. Haley Stevens: “RFK Jr. has got to go. Enough is enough…to protect the health, safety and future of every Michigander.” (32:59)
- Panel: Questions the seriousness and wisdom, viewing impeachment as a political tool; sees RFK Jr. as popular (even among skeptics) and warns such moves inflame rather than unite.
- Jesse Watters: “He’s fixing the food pyramid…He’s getting the food dyes out…He’s taking away the COVID mandate…loves this guy and we love his pull up form.” (35:11)
- Harold Ford Jr.: Impeachment should be reserved for the president, not secretaries carrying out executive policy. (36:43)
- Dana Perino: Thinks this sort of impeachment talk is token PR for primary campaigns, not real legislative action. (34:11)
Notable Quote
- “If you don’t like them, they’re enacting the policies of the President…you don’t punch down in Congress. You impeach presidents, you don’t impeach secretaries.”
— Harold Ford Jr. (36:43)
5. Lighter Fare: Workplace Culture, Personal News, and More
- Workplace Oddities:
- Story of a Spanish worker fired for arriving too early, which led to debate about work culture, gaming the system, and clocking in genuinely versus clocking in fraudulently. (39:00)
- Lawrence Jones: “If you’re not early, you’re late.” (40:04)
- Panel Banter: Jokes about Spanish women staying late vs. coming in early—playful, tongue-in-cheek.
- Personal Announcement:
- Kennedy reveals her engagement, sparking heartfelt congratulations from the panel. (41:01)
- Miscellaneous:
- Dana Perino shares a story of a plane crash survivor and touts Toyota’s safety. (41:42)
- Light banter about Fox News swag and Major League Soccer MVP Lionel Messi.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:33 — Gavin Newsom as Democratic frontrunner discussion starts
- 01:11 — Newsom’s quote on Trump as “destructive”
- 01:52 — Newsom admits California’s affordability and homelessness failures
- 02:57 — Kennedy questions Newsom’s authenticity
- 04:10 — Lawrence Jones: Newsom’s “word salad” communication style
- 08:09 — Dana Perino on Democratic primary challengers
- 15:05 — Jesse Watters critiques Illinois “sanctuary” rules
- 20:21 — Perino on immigration gridlock
- 22:14 — Watters on sanctuary city fallout
- 27:10 — Perino’s anecdote about Trump never letting staff rest
- 29:59 — Panel jokes about Newsom’s flexibility
- 32:59 — Dem Rep. Haley Stevens introduces RFK Jr. impeachment articles
- 35:11 — Watters lists RFK Jr.’s popular cabinet actions
- 39:00 — Spanish woman fired for arriving early; panel riffs on work and responsibility
- 41:01 — Kennedy announces engagement
Memorable Quotes
“He comes across…as slippery. He's very defensive, and he's talking so quickly. It's like he's trying to get at us, saying what he really thinks.”
— Jesse Watters (03:56)
“It’s a different version of a word salad…It melts on contact.”
— Lawrence Jones (04:10)
“Neither party wants to do [immigration reform] when they've got the presidency and both houses of Congress…that is what is so incredibly necessary here.”
— Dana Perino (20:21)
“The pettiness of the personal stuff I just don't get.”
— Harold Ford Jr. (28:44)
“If you don’t like them, they’re enacting the policies of the President…you don’t punch down in Congress. You impeach presidents, you don’t impeach secretaries.”
— Harold Ford Jr. (36:43)
Tone and Style
The show maintains a fast-paced, combative, and at times irreverently humorous tone. Panelists frequently use colorful language (“greasy savior,” “cotton candy,” “Kama Sutra position,” etc.), cut each other off, and pivot quickly between scathing critiques, policy debate, and outright banter.
Takeaway for Non-Listeners
This episode of "The Five" provides a critical look at the Democratic party’s possible 2028 frontrunner, Governor Gavin Newsom, by highlighting his political flaws and the skeptical view held by conservatives regarding his authenticity and leadership record. The conversation weaves in current hot-button topics—immigration, crime, impeachment politics, and media coverage—while emphasizing the gap between political theater and substantive solutions. The panel’s mix of directness and banter makes clear their distaste for what they see as opportunism, performative resistance, and superficiality in today’s politics. The episode is punctuated with personal moments and satirical jabs, closing with a genuine celebration of Kennedy’s engagement.