Podcast Summary: The Five – “Jim Crow 2.0” (August 12, 2025)

In the August 12, 2025 episode of The Five titled “Jim Crow 2.0,” hosts Emily Compagno, Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Joey Jones, and Harold Ford Jr. delve into pressing issues surrounding crime, race relations, and the shifting dynamics within the Democratic Party. The discussion is rich with analysis, debates, and poignant quotes that shed light on the current political and social climate in the United States.

1. Trump’s Crackdown on Crime in Washington, D.C.

The episode opens with a robust discussion on President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce crime in Washington, D.C. The hosts critique the liberal media's portrayal of the situation and the Democratic Party's response.

• Greg Gutfeld highlights the disparity between public safety rhetoric and actual crime statistics:

  "The liberal media was somehow more ridiculous. One D.C. resident telling the Washington Post that the city is safe, but they wanted to remain anonymous, saying that over concerns of personal safety." [02:19]

• Joey Jones criticizes the Democrats for what he perceives as their inability to effectively address crime:

  "The left is losing their minds. Can they please just lose their voice?... This is like mass deportations, where the announcement of the policy does most of the heavy lifting." [04:00]

Emily Compagno underscores the administration's commitment to public safety:

"Criminals see the extra attention paid to criminality and they lose the incentive to create crime." [04:20]

2. “Jim Crow 2.0” and the Fear of Civil War

The conversation shifts to Emily Compagno’s characterization of contemporary policies as “Jim Crow 2.0,” suggesting a regression to divisive racial policies reminiscent of the Jim Crow era.

• Emily Compagno introduces the theme:

  "You may recall at the Democratic Convention, I spoke one evening and I said that Project 2025 is Jim Crow 2.0." [01:31]

• Harold Ford Jr. warns of the president leading the nation towards civil unrest:

  "This president is trying to lead us into what could be called a civil war." [01:43]

The hosts debate the implications of these policies, with Greg Gutfeld questioning the media's contradictory narratives on crime in D.C. and the effectiveness of Trump’s strategies.

3. Democrats’ Shift Away from the Working Class

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the Democratic Party’s alienation of the working class and the rise of a “blue-collar revolution.”

• Joey Jones laments the Democratic focus on identity politics over tangible working-class issues:

  "The Democrat party, you don't see blue collar. You see the polar opposite... luxury beliefs held together with rage speak and victimhood." [24:00]

• Emily Compagno emphasizes the need for Democrats to reconnect with working-class voters:

  "The Democratic Party in many, many respects has turned its back on the working class of this country." [17:28]

• Chris adds that Democrats are against the methods Trump uses to address crime, without providing alternative solutions:

  "Democrats are against any of the how he wants to fix it. And yet they don't offer any solutions." [13:28]

Harold Ford Jr. contrasts Trump’s direct approach with what he perceives as Democrats' reliance on identity to connect with voters:

"Donald Trump connects with people... because he says the things they want to hear and does the things they want done." [22:58]

4. Case Study: Transgender Sex Offender in Colorado

The hosts discuss a specific case highlighting the challenges of current legislative approaches to criminal justice and mental health.

• Harold Ford Jr. presents the case of Solomon Gilligan, a transgender registered sex offender released under Colorado law:

  "A transgender registered sex offender... is set to escape prosecution... the court says he can't face charges because he's mentally ill." [26:42]

• Greg Gutfeld expresses outrage and calls for legislative reform:

  "Legislation needs to be passed to get the unrestorable human off the streets once and for all." [28:04]

• Emily Compagno stresses the urgency of amending the flawed laws:

  "This needs to be changed... hope they just do it on their own." [32:12]

The discussion critiques the balance between mental health considerations and public safety, advocating for stricter measures to prevent repeat offenses.

5. Media and Celebrity Commentary

Towards the episode's conclusion, the hosts shift to lighter topics, including commentary on celebrities' political stances.

• Emily Compagno mentions Jimmy Kimmel’s thoughts on leaving the country, reflecting on the broader implications of celebrity opinions on politics:

  "Late night host Jimmy Kimmel could be ready to follow in Rosie o' Donnell's footsteps and leave the country over President Trump." [33:37]

• Joey Jones mocks the seriousness with which some celebrities handle political discourse:

  "That was a pretty easy answer... They reaped the benefits of this amazing country is now seeking to, without knowing history at all, compare this current situation to anything that our relatives underwent, to me is laughable." [35:08]

Additionally, a brief segment humorously touches on Taylor Swift, showcasing the hosts' mix of serious political discourse with lighthearted banter.

6. Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode wraps up with a reminder of upcoming segments and a teaser for future discussions. The hosts emphasize the ongoing struggle between policy-making, public perception, and the quest for effective governance.

Notable Quotes:

• Emily Compagno on Project 2025:

  "Project 2025 is Jim Crow 2.0." [01:31]

• Greg Gutfeld on media narratives:

  "The libs are so absurd. Like, it's laughable. But there's nothing laughable about the D.C. crime rate." [03:18]

• Joey Jones on the effectiveness of Trump’s policies:

  "Crime is a choice. It's not caused by anything but the lack of will to stop it." [04:00]

• Harold Ford Jr. on the Democratic Party's strategy:

  "Democrats still hold onto this idea that you can use your identity to connect to voters." [22:49]

This episode of The Five presents a critical view of current political strategies, emphasizing the interplay between crime, race relations, and the evolving priorities of political parties. Through incisive commentary and robust debate, the hosts encourage listeners to reflect on the direction of American politics and societal values.