Podcast Summary: The Five – "Open Mic At The Rose Garden"

Date: October 21, 2025
Podcast: The Five
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Panelists: Jesse Watters, Kayleigh McEnany, Jessica Tarlov, Dana Perino, Greg Gutfeld

Overview

In this episode, the hosts of "The Five" dive into the hottest political stories dominating the week. They tackle President Trump’s approach to the ongoing government shutdown, his controversial drug interdiction campaign in the Caribbean, the uproar over his planned White House ballroom, and weigh in on the state of Democratic Party messaging and media coverage. Throughout, the panel keeps the tone lively, blending punchy commentary, heated debate, humor, and their trademark banter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump and the Government Shutdown

Main Points:

• Trump is framed as winning the shutdown battle, with the panel noting that his approval rating remains steady or has slightly improved.
• Democrats are accused of stalling and drawn out "optional suffering" while Trump is depicted as wanting to reopen the government.
• Disagreement over public polling: McEnany highlights mixed poll results on Trump’s standing and challenges the narrative that the shutdown is helping Democrats.
• Dana Perino and Greg Gutfeld lampoon the idea that shutdowns show the government as largely non-essential.

Notable Quotes:

“The first shutdown...was hurting Donald Trump. This one is not hurting him at all.” – Greg Gutfeld [02:00]

“The American public blames them [Republicans] for it because they are the ones that are in charge.” – Kayleigh McEnany [03:39]

“Polls are for nerds and strippers, and I’m fresh out of nerds.” – Greg Gutfeld [07:58]

Timestamps:

• [00:34–07:54] Shutdowns, poll results, and political messaging
• [07:55–10:26] The clean CR and the debate over government essentials

2. Trump’s Drug Interdiction Campaign in the Caribbean

Main Points:

• Trump’s aggressive bombing operations against narco-trafficers is discussed, with panelists split on legality and effectiveness.
• Dana Perino supports the strategy, emphasizing the magnitude of the opioid crisis.
• Jessica Tarlov raises due process and humanitarian concerns, referencing potential collateral damage and lack of evidence for some killings.
• Broader geopolitical implications: Jesse Watters ties Colombia’s alignment with China to U.S. drug enforcement posture.

Notable Quotes:

"I am totally in agreement...We should bomb the crap out of Colombia and take their cocaine and Cuba’s next." – Greg Gutfeld, tongue-in-cheek [12:01]

"This is such a winning issue. And Trump is always smart in taking the position and forcing the left to take the opposite position." – Dana Perino [13:26]

"Drug traffickers also have rights. The law applies. We should have the evidence. They should be charged with something..." – Jessica Tarlov [15:37]

Timestamps:

• [11:13–18:17] Bombings, Colombia and the China angle, due process concerns

3. Karine Jean-Pierre’s Media Tour and Democratic Messaging

Main Points:

• White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s new book and TV blitz are mocked for “gaslighting” and perpetuating false narratives around Biden’s presidency.
• The panel criticizes the media’s belated scrutiny of Biden and the supposed lack of candor from both media and Democratic spokespeople.
• The group discusses Kamala Harris’s positioning for a 2028 run and internal Democratic grievances.

Notable Quotes:

“KJP is expected to lie and cover for her boss. That’s her job. That wasn’t the media’s job from 2020 to 2024. Yet they did it anyway.” – Greg Gutfeld [23:44]

“You don’t get it in advance for an op-ed...but I don’t feel like it’s telling you anything about the party or the direction of where we’re going.” – Kayleigh McEnany [22:10]

Timestamps:

• [18:50–27:30] KJP, Biden’s media coverage, Kamala’s book, 2028 ambitions

4. White House East Wing Demolition & The New Ballroom

Main Points:

• Trump’s decision to build a $250 million White House ballroom sets off a firestorm of criticism and parody, including musical skits on "The View."
• Some panelists lament the loss of historical integrity, while others highlight positive precedents and stress that donors—not taxpayers—are footing the bill.
• The debate spirals into Trump’s legacy and broader questions about presidential power, ambition, and symbolism.

Notable Quotes:

"He’s pooping on the American people, literally.” – Greg Gutfeld, mocking the outrage [28:42]

“If every single Trump action is the end of the world and the end of history...then really nothing is.” – Jessica Tarlov [30:27]

“Democrats are upset because Trump is so unconstrained and he’s so ambitious, and he’s wielding executive power so confidently, and none of their presidents ever did...” – Jesse Watters [30:34]

Timestamps:

• [27:30–34:28] Ballroom construction, historical analogies, fundraising questions

5. Lighter Segment: Travel Hacks for Couples

Main Points:

• A trending “airport divorce” travel hack suggests couples split up after clearing security to reduce stress, which the panel generally ridicules.
• Panelists joke about traveling with spouses, kids, and the actual sources of travel arguments.

Notable Quotes:

“The issue isn’t after security, you moron. It’s before security. It’s the trip to the airport, waiting in line. That’s where all the fights happen.” – Greg Gutfeld [35:37]

Timestamps:

• [35:03–37:02] Travel hacks, family life, panel banter

6. One More Thing: Human Interest & Upcoming Guests

Highlights:

• Dana plugs the "Go Pink" charity event for breast cancer survivors.
• Greg shares a humorous wildlife clip.
• The group recaps oddball news: Oregon’s pumpkin regatta, Madrid’s sheep parade, travel with kids, and plugs for other FOX shows.
• Dana announces an upcoming interview with Senator John Fetterman, praising his independent streak.

Notable Quotes:

“He recently said, ‘I know and love people who voted for President Trump. They are not fascists, they’re not Nazis. They’re not trying to destroy the Constitution.’” – Dana Perino on Sen. Fetterman [40:18]

Timestamps:

• [37:25–40:48] Human interest, charity, show promotions

Notable Moments & Quick Hits

• Panel humor: Regular barbs and running jokes, e.g., “Polls are for nerds and strippers” (Gutfeld [07:58]), mocking "The View"’s protest songs, and playful digs at each other's “meanest” comments yet ([26:16]).
• Pop culture references: Trump’s comparison to "Weekend at Bernie’s," references to bowling alleys, pool parties, and reality TV.
• Cultural critique: Gutfeld and Watters frame “media bias” as a reason why Democratic strategies are failing.
• Historical perspective: Dana Perino recounts prior structural changes to the White House to put Trump’s project in context ([34:12]).

Tone and Style

The episode maintains an irreverent, sarcastic, and quick-fire style, characteristic of "The Five," with panelists frequently layering policy critique with banter, pop cultural jabs, and humorous analogies. The tone moves quickly between serious analysis and tongue-in-cheek commentary, giving equal space to political developments and lighter lifestyle topics.

For New Listeners

This episode showcases "The Five" blending political analysis with lively conversation and humor. If you missed it, expect sharp opinions, memorable quips, and a mix of earnest critique with playful ribbing, all focusing on the week’s most controversial headlines.