Summary of "The Five" Episode: "Israel & Iran Trade Blows As War Intensifies"

Release Date: June 20, 2025
Host/Panelists: Greg Gutfeld, Kayleigh McEnany, Mary Katharine Ham, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Watters

1. Escalation of the Israel-Iran Conflict

The episode opens with Kayleigh McEnany introducing the heightened tensions in the Middle East as missile strikes between Israel and Iran enter their second week. She highlights President Trump's recent actions, including his meeting with the national security team and his firm stance on negotiating with Iran.

Notable Quotes:

• Kayleigh McEnany [00:04]: "President Trump met with his national security team today at the White House and then he spoke with reporters after landing in New Jersey where he doubled down on his two-week deadline for the mullahs to come to the negotiating table."
• Greg Gutfeld [00:41]: "Israel is doing well in terms of war and I think you would say that Iran is doing less well."

2. President Trump's Strategy and Negotiations

Greg Gutfeld discusses Trump's approach to the Iran negotiations, emphasizing strength and toughness as essential for peace. He expresses confidence in Trump's judgment and leadership, noting Trump's unwavering support for Israel.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Gutfeld [01:04]: "President Trump will do what's best for America. I trust his judgment. He's a tremendous friend, a tremendous world leader, a tremendous friend of Israel and the Jewish people."
• Kayleigh McEnany [02:08]: "So here's how the posture of the negotiations began. We all remember the truth. Social post unconditional surrender. Khamenei responded saying, we will never surrender."

3. European Negotiations and Iran's Stance

Kayleigh McEnany provides an update on the European negotiations in Geneva, noting that Iranian negotiators have rejected discussions with the U.S. and refused to abandon nuclear enrichment, especially under Israel's strikes.

Notable Quotes:

• Kayleigh McEnany [02:32]: "The readouts that I'm getting from these European negotiations, they've rejected talks with the U.S. not only that, when asked about zero enrichment, Iran said, undoubtedly we reject this, especially now under Israel's strikes."

4. Internal Dynamics and Trump’s Independence

Greg Gutfeld delves into the internal factions within the Republican Party, both pro and con, and asserts that Trump remains independent and not easily swayed by others. He praises Trump's consistency across various issues, from crime to tariffs.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Gutfeld [03:00]: "I don't see him being swayed. The isolationists think, you know, somebody's doing this. The interventionists say the other thing."
• Greg Gutfeld [04:32]: "I have a feeling this is gonna go on for a while. I like watching people talk about it."

5. Potential Outcomes and Concerns

Jesse Watters and Jessica Tarlov discuss the possible military actions and their ramifications. They express concerns about the effectiveness of airstrikes and the potential for a clandestine nuclear program. The discussion also touches on the possible aftermath of regime change in Iran and its implications for regional stability.

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Watters [05:09]: "They could hit more targets, they could hit electrical transmission sites around Fordeau, they could assassinate more commanders."
• Jessica Tarlov [10:11]: "Our intel community is saying that it could be several months to a year, which is what Tulsi Gabbard testified to in March."

6. Critique of Democratic Leadership

The panel shifts focus to domestic politics, criticizing Democratic figures and their strategies. Jesse Watters and Jessica Tarlov specifically target Democrat rising star Jasmine Crockett for her controversial remarks, arguing that her approach is detrimental to the party's image and electoral prospects.

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Watters [12:25]: "Rising star Jasmine Crockett thinks she can unite our bitterly divided country by smearing Trump supporters as mentally ill."
• Kayleigh McEnany [12:37]: "It is sick. It is really sick."

7. Media and Judicial Commentary

Mary Katharine Ham discusses the conflict between President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom following a court ruling on the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles. The panel criticizes Newsom's handling of the situation and lauds the judiciary's support for Trump's actions.

Notable Quotes:

• Mary Katharine Ham [19:34]: "Mary Katharine Ham: A war of words erupting between President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom..."
• Kayleigh McEnany [21:14]: "He has a record of appealing to Democrats from across the aisle to bring those voters over into the Republican coalition."

8. Public Sentiment and Polling Insights

The conversation includes an analysis of public opinion polls, indicating declining support for Trump despite his actions. The panelists debate the implications of these trends for upcoming elections.

Notable Quotes:

• Jessica Tarlov [24:00]: "51 to 49 cherry picked that poll and earlier this week we did it as well."
• Mary Katharine Ham [25:03]: "Donald Trump might very well win again if it was."

9. Light-hearted Segments and Audience Interaction

The latter part of the episode transitions to lighter topics, including fan mail and humorous exchanges among the panelists. They discuss personal anecdotes, favorite field trips, and engage in playful banter, maintaining an entertaining atmosphere.

Notable Highlights:

• Fan Mail Segment [33:45]: Discussions about borrowed items not returned.
• Favorite Field Trips [35:03]: Sharing nostalgic school experiences.
• Music Preferences [37:37]: Debating favorite songs for the green room.

10. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Segments

As the show nears its end, the panelists give brief mentions of upcoming shows and segments, maintaining the episode's engaging and dynamic flow.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Gutfeld [39:47]: "Great song. But she looks great here."
• Jesse Watters [39:05]: "This is the best bird. Buffs battle it out for top pigeon."

Conclusion:

This episode of "The Five" provides a robust discussion on the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict, President Trump's foreign policy strategies, and internal U.S. political dynamics. The panelists offer a blend of serious analysis and light-hearted interaction, delivering a comprehensive overview of current events and political discourse. Notable moments include strong affirmations of Trump's leadership, critiques of Democratic strategies, and engaging audience interactions that add depth to the conversation.

Note: All timestamps correspond to segments within the provided transcript.