Podcast Summary: The Five – “Race Against The Clock”

Date: February 6, 2026
Hosts: Jillian Turner, Kayleigh McEnany, Kennedy, Jesse Watters, Greg Gutfeld
Guest/Correspondent: Jonathan Hunt

Overview

This episode of "The Five" pivots around urgent developments in the Nancy Guthrie kidnap-for-ransom case, the surging anti-ICE and sanctuary campus protests across the U.S., and cultural/political debates gripping the country. The hosts debate heated current issues with their usual irreverent rapport, offer pointed analysis, and highlight breaking information.

Main Topics and Key Discussion Points

1. Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping – Escalating Ransom Crisis

[01:12–04:41, 15:08–28:24]

• Situation Update: Jonathan Hunt reports from Tucson as the search for Nancy Guthrie reaches day six. A new, potentially consequential ransom deadline is approaching. Authorities are in near-total silence publicly.
  • "[There is] almost complete silence from the sheriff's office ... very little investigative activity that we have seen..." (Jonathan Hunt, [01:47])
• Details of Ransom Notes: The investigation revolves around the authenticity and intentions behind several emailed ransom notes, some of which were sent to media outlets (TMZ, local stations KOLD and KGUN).
  • Harvey Levin (via Greg) notes that the “return radius” described in a note is vast—a detail that doesn't actually narrow the search.
    • "This is Tucson right here... this red circle, that is the radius of the maximum amount of time it would take to get her back to Tucson. All around this circle." (Greg Gutfeld/Harvey Levin, [02:53])
  • A damaged floodlight at the Guthrie home is being considered as possibly relevant to note authentication.
• Family and Investigation: Authorities have not confirmed the last person to see Nancy; investigations include neighborhood canvassing.
• Breaking Update: During the show, news breaks that a new message has been received and is being vetted for authenticity. This could signal movement or a response to public pleas for proof of life.
  • "This is the first time outside a press conference we've gotten a breaking development... makes it seem as if maybe there's a response to that inquiry about the ransom." (Kayleigh McEnany, [15:45])
• Ransom Communication Methods: All notes so far have been via untraceable email; the FBI continues to analyze for connections and authenticity.
  • "All the messages received so far...were all sent via email, and it was an untraceable email address..." (Jonathan Hunt, [18:28])
• Skepticism about Motives: The unusual step of sending ransom notes to media is discussed.
  • "It makes it really hard to pay a ransom when you make it that public. That's why I think this is a red herring." (Jesse Watters, [22:44])
  • The possibility of imposters or hoaxes is considered, as is the notion that sending to media might be due to a lack of personal contact info for the Guthrie family.
• Optimism, Anxiety, and Hope:
  • "This is the best development that we've had so far. And it gives you hope that Ms. Guthrie might be alive..." (Greg Gutfeld, [20:01])

2. Anti-ICE Protests & Sanctuary Campus Demonstrations

[04:41–14:15]

• Events in NYC & Minneapolis: Protests escalate outside Columbia University and in Minneapolis, including roadblocks and civil disobedience aimed at impeding ICE agents.
• Columbia University’s Shift:
  • Turner laments radical changes at her alma mater, noting an absence of anti-Semitism during her time and greater inclusion of Israeli students.
    • "Things have changed." (Jillian Turner, [06:37])
  • Gutfeld argues that a radical faction has eroded Columbia’s reputation.
    • "Now there's this hardcore radical hostile faction that has destroyed the reputation of the university." (Greg Gutfeld, [07:12])
    • He further blames “a hardcore group of women” who “don’t love men, they don’t love America… sometimes I wish they could find Jesus.”
• Minneapolis ‘Border’ Tactics: Gutfeld satirically likens protesters’ creation of neighborhood checkpoints to pretend border agents, highlighting the irony.
  • "They're now enforcing a border and have checkpoints about who they can let in and who they can't..." ([08:32])
• Political Analysis:
  • Kayleigh argues that Democrats face a political conflict between their core base (anti-ICE) and the broader Democratic electorate, which is not supportive of abolishing ICE.
  • The imminent DHS funding deadline and internal party tensions are cited.
    • "There is a wing of Chuck Schumer's party... that is saying, we want the cessation of ICE operations entirely..." (Kayleigh McEnany, [09:41])

3. High School Protests and Education Concerns

[10:52–14:16]

• School Walkouts: Turner worries about impact of protests on struggling high schools with abysmal academic performance and rampant absenteeism.
  • "They really need to invert some of those scores ... What they really don't need to be doing... is letting kids out of school and encouraging them to protest..." (Kennedy, [11:11])
• Broader ‘Indoctrination’ Claims: Watters and Gutfeld liken campus activism to “brain-snatching,” arguing protests are now targeting students at younger ages, laying groundwork for lifelong activism.
  • "They're going after these kids and they're intercepting them before they ever get to make a decision about their lives." (Jesse Watters, [13:14])
  • Gutfeld calls protestors “human car alarms,” set off with a single disruptive function.

4. Democratic Party Culture Debates (and Litmus Tests)

[29:13–36:36]

• James Carville’s Criticism: Hosts discuss Carville’s complaints that Democratic culture has become “very feminized and very judgmental,” pushing men away.
  • "Democratic culture became very feminized and very judgmental and that is why we push so many of these males away." (Greg Gutfeld quoting Carville, [29:33])
• Questionnaire ‘Industrial Complex’: Focus on the burdens of advocacy group questionnaires for Democratic candidates; some see potential value in vetting substance.
• Woke Litmus Test Issues: Discussion about how questions on gender identity and related issues confound candidates.
  • "A good credible news organization will make one of the questions... 'can a man become a woman? Raise your hand if the answer is yes.' ...Axios asked 20 Democrats; only three answered." (Kayleigh McEnany, [34:54])

5. Super Bowl Goes ‘Maha’ (Health & Weight-Loss Theme in Ads)

[37:19–40:28]

• Ad Shifts: Panel jokes about this year’s Super Bowl ad trend—less junk food, more health/weight-loss products, GLP-1 drugs, fiber sodas, prostate screening, etc.
  • "Super bowl is turning into Fox. You know, who got there first with relaxium and super beets and super Beta prostate?" (Jesse Watters, [38:12])
• Nostalgia for Super Bowl Gluttony: Panelists argue some holidays—like the Super Bowl—should be “carved out” for indulgence.
  • "There has to be days that are carved out to gluttonously eat my five Crunchwrap Supremes... I want to see the Pizza Hut going like this with those beautiful little brown dots on the cheese." (Kayleigh McEnany, [39:36])

6. Lighter Segments & Banter

[40:51–46:08]

• Returning to Childhood Homes: Each host shares anecdotes about revisiting (or not) their childhood home; humorous and sentimental moments.
• Quick Hits: Jokes about Real Housewives, babies with hair extensions, winter ice boating, and “Teletubby” outfits for Russian ice floating.
  • "I try to get a prostate exam every day, usually downstairs." (Jesse Watters, [38:05])
• Show Plugs: Promotions for their other FOX News programs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Columbia’s Radicalization:
  • "Now there's this hardcore radical hostile faction that has destroyed the reputation of the university." – Greg Gutfeld ([07:12])
• On Modern Protests:
  • "If you have a sanctuary city or neighborhood. They're now enforcing a border and have checkpoints...I don't think they understand the irony." – Greg Gutfeld ([08:32])
• On Indoctrination in Schools:
  • "They're going after these kids and they're intercepting them before they ever get to make a decision about their lives." – Jesse Watters ([13:14])
• On the Proof-of-Life Hope:
  • "This is the best development that we've had so far...it gives you hope that Ms. Guthrie might be alive..." – Greg Gutfeld ([20:01])
• On Democratic Woes:
  • "Democratic culture became very feminized and very judgmental and that is why we push so many of these males away." – Greg Gutfeld quoting James Carville ([29:33])
• On Super Bowl Food:
  • "There has to be days that are carved out to gluttonously eat my five Crunchwrap Supremes... while drinking IPAs and chugging them." – Kayleigh McEnany ([39:36])

Key Timestamps

• [01:12–04:41]: Initial deep-dive into Nancy Guthrie's case.
• [15:08–28:24]: Breaking news and analysis of the new ransom message.
• [04:41–09:41]: Anti-ICE protests and Columbia debate.
• [10:52–14:16]: High school protest segment.
• [29:13–36:36]: Carville quote/party culture litmus test discussion.
• [37:19–40:28]: Super Bowl ad ‘Maha’ (wellness) segment.
• [40:51–46:08]: Lighter “one more thing” banter.

Conclusion

“Race Against The Clock” mixes fast-breaking developments in a high-profile kidnapping with debates over political culture, protest movements, and American cultural touchstones like the Super Bowl. With a blend of hard news, hot-take banter, and humor, the episode offers both insight and entertainment, anchored by the hosts' dynamic chemistry and distinctive perspectives.

For listeners eager for in-depth updates on the Nancy Guthrie situation or a sense of the national conversation on activism, party politics, and pop culture, this episode delivers a lively, informative ride.