Podcast Summary: "The Five" – Episode: Libs On The Lam
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Release Date: August 4, 2025

Introduction
In the August 4, 2025 episode of The Five, hosted by Dana Perino and featuring panelists Emily Compagno, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Watters, and Greg Gutfeld, the hosts delve into pressing political maneuvers and cultural controversies shaping the American landscape. The episode, aptly titled Libs On The Lam, primarily focuses on the strategic moves of Texas Democrats amid redistricting efforts, the Republican response, and ensuing cultural battles involving high-profile figures like actress Sydney Sweeney.

Texas Democrats Fleeing Redistricting Votes
The episode opens with Dana Perino highlighting a contentious political strategy employed by Texas Democrats. A group of Democratic lawmakers, referred to colloquially as a "whole posse of Texas Democrats," allegedly fled the state on a private plane to avoid participating in a vote that would facilitate the GOP's redistricting plans.

• Dana Perino ([00:35]): "The Democratic Party is short on policy, but boy, oh boy, they are full of stunts."

Panelist Jessica Tarlov criticizes the maneuver, equating it to childish behavior.

• Jessica Tarlov ([01:38]): "They’re crying, they’re running, and they’re throwing a tantrum until they get what they want."

Jesse Watters emphasizes the legal implications, questioning the absence of felonies in Texas law regarding their actions.

• Jesse Watters ([01:46]): "There is no felony in the Texas penal code for what he says."

Greg Gutfeld underscores the seriousness of the situation, labeling it a war.

• Greg Gutfeld ([01:39]): "This is a war."

The discussion transitions to the potential consequences faced by the fleeing Democrats, including charges of bribery if they manipulated legislative duties for personal gain.

• Jessica Tarlov ([02:40]): "Any lawmaker took money to perform or... To refuse to perform an act in the legislature. And the reports are these legislators have been both. They sought money and they offered money to skip the vote."

Dana Perino draws historical parallels, referencing a similar incident from 2021 involving TikTok-trained Texans.

• Dana Perino ([03:13]): "In December of 2021, the TikTok Texans left... and now they're trying it again."

Redistricting and Gerrymandering Impacts
The panel delves deeper into the mechanics of redistricting and its implications on political power distribution. Greg Gutfeld discusses the complicity of both parties in gerrymandering, noting its historical prevalence.

• Greg Gutfeld ([06:29]): "So a lot of these places, when they gerrymander, it's almost. They're complicit with both parties."

Dana Perino highlights population shifts affecting congressional seats, pointing out that states like California and New York, despite having significant illegal immigrant populations, are losing seats due to residents migrating out, thereby diluting Democratic representation.

• Dana Perino ([07:10]): "But the idea that Republicans are cheating because they're doing what both parties have done since the inception of this country... It's not racist. It's a matter of fact."

The conversation addresses the strategic motivations behind redistricting, emphasizing the Republicans' pursuit of maximizing their seat gains.

• Dana Perino ([09:00]): "Donald Trump called up Greg Abbott and redistricting is supposed to happen once every 10 years... He wants a mid-cycle redistrict because he only have a three seat majority and I need a bigger cushion."

Sydney Sweeney and Cultural Backlash
Shifting focus to cultural issues, the hosts discuss actress Sydney Sweeney's political affiliations and the backlash she faced following her appearance in an American Eagle advertisement.

• Jesse Watters ([15:15]): "They're having another meltdown over Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle Great jeans ad... she was a Republican in Florida."

Greg Gutfeld praises Sweeney's representation and criticizes the liberal response.

• Greg Gutfeld ([16:21]): "Don't you just love that look of joy on her face as she's re holstering her gun?"

Jessica Tarlov mocks the liberal outrage, suggesting it mirrors past canceled campaigns without substantive impact.

• Jessica Tarlov ([19:38]): "They’ve called a blond-haired, blue-eyed actress a Nazi for a week... the Democrats lose another culture war battle."

Dana Perino contrasts Sweeney's actions with Democratic initiatives, arguing that Republican support for her undermines cancel culture.

• Dana Perino ([17:47]): "But Sydney Sweeney hasn't said anything either. I also believe that good for her for registering however she wanted to."

Kamala Harris and the 2028 Presidential Race
The panel transitions to internal Democratic dynamics, particularly focusing on Vice President Kamala Harris and her potential candidacy for the 2028 presidential election.

• Jessica Tarlov ([23:29]): "One strategist saying this, I wouldn't want her in my district. And other Democrats are giving Kamala a collective sigh."

Dana Perino expresses skepticism about Harris's prospects, citing her perceived lack of connection with voters.

• Dana Perino ([25:04]): "She has to get a real connection with the people. I think that's something that she's always been missing."

Jessica Tarlov anticipates internal conflicts and potential scandals that could arise if Harris attempts to challenge President Biden's reputation.

• Jessica Tarlov ([27:01]): "She's not up to this. I cannot wait for Biden world to drop that dirty bomb on Harris."

Donald Trump's Legacy and Influence
A significant portion of the discussion centers on former President Donald Trump's impact on American politics and his enduring influence.

• Dana Perino ([33:30]): "President Trump started something early on in his career... He has timing, he has convictions."

Greg Gutfeld compares Trump's executive orders to those of Franklin D. Roosevelt, suggesting Trump is "stress testing" governmental systems.

• Greg Gutfeld ([37:11]): "All right, the amount of EOs that he's executed, comparable only to FDR."

Jesse Watters emphasizes Trump's direct approach to voters and his subversion of traditional political bodies.

• Jesse Watters ([38:02]): "He hasn't just sort of paid homage to these bodies, he's subverted them completely."

Emily Compagno critiques Trump's "war on truth," underscoring the erosion of public trust in governmental institutions.

• Emily Compagno ([36:00]): "Trump's most lasting impact or his biggest influence has been on Americans' ability to actually know what is true and what is honest."

Presidential Fitness Test Controversy
The hosts briefly touch upon President Trump's introduction of a presidential fitness test, a nod to past physical assessments, and the ensuing criticism from outlets like The New York Times.

• Dana Perino ([39:19]): "I think I still hold the record for Ellis elementary in Denver for the sit-up test."

Greg Gutfeld and Jessica Tarlov humorously discuss the practicality and public reaction to the fitness test, contrasting it with Democratic opposition.

• Greg Gutfeld ([40:24]): "I don't know anything about adversity. I think this is fantastic."

Conclusion
In Libs On The Lam, The Five provides a robust analysis of the strategic political maneuvers in Texas, the cultural battles epitomized by figures like Sydney Sweeney, and the lasting influence of Donald Trump on American politics. The panelists offer a critical perspective on Democratic strategies and underscore the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party, setting the stage for anticipated shifts in the upcoming 2028 elections.

Notable Quotes

• Dana Perino ([00:35]): "The Democratic Party is short on policy, but boy, oh boy, they are full of stunts."
• Jessica Tarlov ([01:38]): "They’re crying, they’re running, and they’re throwing a tantrum until they get what they want."
• Greg Gutfeld ([01:39]): "This is a war."
• Jesse Watters ([01:46]): "There is no felony in the Texas penal code for what he says."
• Dana Perino ([07:10]): "But the idea that Republicans are cheating because they're doing what both parties have done since the inception of this country... It's not racist. It's a matter of fact."
• Jessica Tarlov ([19:38]): "They’ve called a blond-haired, blue-eyed actress a Nazi for a week... the Democrats lose another culture war battle."
• Dana Perino ([25:04]): "She has to get a real connection with the people. I think that's something that she's always been missing."
• Emily Compagno ([36:00]): "Trump's most lasting impact or his biggest influence has been on Americans' ability to actually know what is true and what is honest."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a clear understanding of the topics covered and the viewpoints expressed by the panelists.