The Five: Israel-Iran Conflict Rages for 5th Day
Released on June 17, 2025 by FOX News Radio
In this intense episode of The Five, host Greg Gutfeld and his panelists—Emily Campagno, Jessica Tarlock, Jesse Waters, and Kayleigh McEnany—delve deep into the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, now enduring its fifth day. The discussion navigates the complexities of international relations, U.S. involvement, and domestic policy debates, providing listeners with a comprehensive analysis of the unfolding crisis.
1. Escalation of the Israel-Iran Conflict
The episode kicks off with a live report from Trey Yingst in Tel Aviv, highlighting the dire situation on the ground.
- Trey Yingst [00:35]:
"The Israeli security cabinet is meeting, trying to determine the next steps in the war against Iran... Iranian ballistic missiles targeting cities across Israel, sending millions to bomb shelters."
Yingst details Israel's aggressive offensive against Iran, emphasizing the strategic strikes on ballistic missile launchers near critical facilities like Isfahan and Fordo. He notes that while Israel claims to have neutralized around 40% of Iran's missile launchers, the threat remains persistent, with the potential for continued missile attacks on major population centers.
2. U.S. Involvement and President Trump's Dilemma
Greg Gutfeld steers the conversation towards the United States' potential role in the conflict, focusing on President Trump's strategic decisions.
- Greg Gutfeld [01:41]:
"President Trump is now facing a big choice. Either help Israel destroy Iran's nuke facility or continue to negotiate."
The panel discusses reports from Axios indicating Trump's contemplation of a direct strike on Iran's nuclear sites, juxtaposed with his openness to negotiation, albeit indelicately phrased as being dependent on his "mood."
- Kayleigh McEnany [02:59]:
"He is a Churchill. He is not someone who sits in a beach chair and lets history happen to him. He makes history."
McEnany defends Trump's assertive foreign policy, contrasting it with previous administrations' approaches, highlighting his decisive actions against figures like Soleimani and Al Baghdadi.
3. Divergent Opinions Within the MAGA Movement
The panel examines the varying perspectives within the MAGA base regarding potential military intervention.
- Jesse Waters [04:49]:
"President Trump has the opportunity to become the greatest peacemaker of this century because everyone else just tried to curb the nuclear threat. But here we're trying to potentially totally eradicate it."
Waters underscores the strategic window the U.S. holds, suggesting that decisive action could prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities further.
- Emily Campagno [04:49]:
"Option number one is you come right to the negotiating table... or we take them out with bunker busters."
Campagno outlines the stark choices facing the U.S., emphasizing the risks and potential repercussions of military intervention versus negotiation.
4. Domestic Policy Debates: Immigration
Shifting focus, the conversation pivots to the contentious issue of immigration, dissecting President Trump's policies and their reception.
- Greg Gutfeld [04:33]:
"But unlike the left, we're not afraid to show it... Should it matter that the mood of America... How do you explain that?"
The panelists debate the complexities of immigration policy, highlighting internal disagreements within the MAGA movement and contrasting Republican and Democratic approaches.
- Jessica Tarlock [15:56]:
"If somebody is going about this the right way, if they have been in this country and they have not committed a crime... they should be able to stay here or at least to get their due process."
Tarlock advocates for a more measured approach to immigration, focusing on legal processes and the protection of individuals' rights.
- Greg Gutfeld [18:10]:
"The Democrats almost single-handedly destroyed the appeal and necessity of legal immigration... It kills me. You guys made this mess."
Gutfeld critiques Democratic policies, arguing that they have undermined the system of legal immigration and contributed to chaos at the borders.
5. New York City Mayoral Race and Socialist Policies
The discussion turns to local politics, specifically the New York City mayoral race, examining the rise of socialist candidates and their proposed policies.
- Kayleigh McEnany [23:39]:
"AOC and Bernie backed Zorin Mamdani... Among Zorin's biggest socialist promises are freezing the rent, city-run grocery stores, and social workers to replace the police."
McEnany criticizes the platform of Democratic Socialist Zorin Mamdani, expressing concern over his proposals and their implications for the city's governance and safety.
- Jesse Waters [28:25]:
"He is a blatant anti-Semite... he is really dangerous for this city. So everyone needs to... vote for anyone like Cuomo over him."
Waters warns against electing Mamdani, citing his controversial views and questioning his capacity to effectively manage the city's challenges.
6. Live Update from Tel Aviv Amid Ongoing Missile Strikes
Returning to the international crisis, Trey Yingst provides a live update amidst continued missile threats.
- Trey Yingst [30:44]:
"There are sirens sounding as ballistic missiles are fired at this city... Understanding that this is a volatile situation that is changing each and every minute."
Yingst describes the current state of defense measures in Israel, the ongoing missile attacks, and the resilience of the Israeli defense systems. He reiterates the strategic importance of potential U.S. involvement at this critical juncture.
Conclusion
As the episode concludes, the panelists reiterate the gravity of both the international conflict and domestic policy challenges facing the United States. They emphasize the need for informed decision-making and strong leadership to navigate these multifaceted issues effectively.
Note: This summary excludes non-content segments such as advertisements, personal anecdotes unrelated to the main topics, and off-topic banter to maintain focus on the critical discussions presented during the episode.