The Five: “Shutdown Surrender”

Date: November 11, 2025
Podcast: The Five (FOX News Podcasts)
Hosts: Dana Perino, Kellyanne Conway, Jessica Tarlov, Joey Jones, Greg Gutfeld

Overview

This episode of “The Five” centers on the fallout from the recent government shutdown, the rift within the Democratic Party, the role of Chuck Schumer, broader themes of party leadership, masculinity in American culture, political polarization within families, and light-hearted discussion about the media and pop culture. The panelists, representing diverse political viewpoints, discuss the implications of the bipartisan deal to end the shutdown, the Democratic Party’s identity crisis, Trump’s media maneuvers, and societal dynamics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Fallout and Democratic Civil War

Timestamps: 00:17–04:55

• Democratic Party Fractures:

  • Eight Senate Democrats joined Republicans to pass a bipartisan bill ending the government shutdown in exchange for a promised future vote on Obamacare (ACA) subsidies.
  • Widespread anger and blame within the Democratic caucus. Schumer viewed as scapegoat, potential calls for his resignation.
  • Greg Gutfeld: “This is the end of Chuck Schumer.” (02:09)
  • Kellyanne Conway: “They cave, they capitulated. They should claim strategic bankruptcy. This is a party bereft of leadership, a vision of ideas...” (02:37)
  • Media and progressives blame strategists for lack of unity, with some suggesting no clear party identity beyond “get Trump.”

• Electoral Implications:

  • Democrats worry the deal undermines unity and makes them vulnerable in upcoming elections.
  • Jessica Tarlov: “If they are on the record again as not wanting to extend these ACA subsidies... that is something that Democrats will be very willing and able to run on in 2026, and that'll spell electoral disaster for them.” (06:21)
  • Schumer’s leadership is under scrutiny as moderates and progressives alike are dissatisfied.

2. The Broader Impact on Americans

Timestamps: 06:56–09:16

• Public Frustration:

  • Impact of the shutdown on everyday Americans—delayed flights, unpaid military, and economic anxieties.
  • Joey Jones: “Just the stress and anxiety of should I go on this flight? ... a lot of people didn’t have the anxiety of missing a flight because they just decided not to go.” (07:33)
  • Discussion about the limited number of Americans (about 28 million) directly impacted by Obamacare subsidies and whether this is a potent electoral wedge.

• Republican Perspective:

  • Panelists argue Republicans now hold the “hot potato” and Democrats used the shutdown for an ACA messaging opportunity.

3. Political Strategies & Breakdown of Persuasion

Timestamps: 09:18–12:15

• Lack of Persuasion:

  • Greg Gutfeld: Criticizes Democrats’ inability to persuade, arguing they have become reactionary. “They live on the surface level of politics. No depth, no nuance... What's missing is persuasion.” (10:13)
  • Panel highlights repetitive, performative strategies and lack of meaningful debate.

• Panel Consensus:

  • Agreement that unity, as shown by Trump and GOP leaders, was key to their legislative win.
  • Dana Perino: "Unity beats disunity every single time. And Trump, Thune and Johnson showed that they can stay together and they hung tight. And so they are the winners in this." (12:04)

4. Trump, Pop Culture, and Masculinity

Timestamps: 13:37–22:24

• Trump’s NFL Appearance:

  • Trump’s surprise color-commentary stint at an NFL game prompts a segue on masculinity and the Democratic Party’s perceived alienation of men.
  • Greg Gutfeld (on Trump): “While Trump makes masculinity look effortless, ... Gavin Newsom wants to win back the men who walked away from the Dems.” (14:31)
  • Gavin Newsom’s Comments: Newsom’s admission that Democrats have ignored the crisis among men is dissected, with panelists debating party and societal narratives around men.

• Masculinity & Democratic Messaging:

  • Kellyanne Conway: “He [Newsom] admitted we probably went too far with the men and women’s sports thing... Problem is, he’s just a bad messenger for it.” (18:36)
  • Dana Perino: Laments cultural stigmatization of traditional male traits. “Young men, they're tired of being told they're a problem...” (19:29)
  • Greg Gutfeld: “Do not put the crisis on men, put the crisis on your party.” (16:46)
  • Jessica Tarlov: Counters with recent electoral shifts, emphasizing Democratic outreach is seeing some success among male voters (21:35).

5. Familial and Cultural Polarization

Timestamps: 25:28–32:35

• Politics Dividing Families:
  • Jimmy Kimmel’s wife publicly discusses cutting ties with Trump-supporting family members, sparking a heated panel discussion on intolerance and political tribalism.
  • Jessica Tarlov: “I actually understand where she's coming from... Donald Trump has personally come after her husband.” (29:54)
  • Kellyanne Conway: Warns about dehumanization and self-absorption. “When your hatred for Trump outvalues your love for your family, you really need to take a look in the mirror.” (32:24)
  • Greg Gutfeld: “She realized she was exhausted, exhausted by being angry all the time. But that's on her. ... You have a choice of putting these things in your head...” (27:40)
  • Panel agrees that political divides shouldn’t overshadow family ties.

6. Joe Biden’s Public Return

Timestamps: 33:58–37:03

• Biden’s Fundraiser Appearance:
  • Former President Biden denounces Trump at a fundraiser, claiming Trump is “taking a wrecking ball ... to the Constitution, to the rule of law, to our very democracy.” (34:07)
  • Kellyanne Conway: Suggests Democrats are moving beyond Biden with newer figures gaining traction.
  • Greg Gutfeld: Mocks the situation, implies Democrats quickly forget past leaders: “The moment he's outside the door, goodbye. We knew you were demented, you had problems. See you later, alligator.” (35:59)

7. Greg Gutfeld’s NYT Profile & Media Satire

Timestamps: 37:42–40:51

• Greg Gutfeld’s Interview:
  • Gutfeld recounts his experience being profiled by The New York Times, emphasizing his self-deprecating humor and the uniqueness of “The Five.”
  • Notable moment: “What upsets a Fox viewer? ... It's not difference in opinions. It's when you use the Lord's name in vain, that's when you get a lot of letters.” (38:22)
  • Panel agrees the humor and camaraderie of the show make it unique among news panels.

8. Lighter Fare & Show Wrap

Timestamps: 41:09–42:50

• Animal Sounds Game & Uplifting Stories:
  • The panel tries to guess animal sounds (including a porcupine eating a pumpkin).
  • Shout-out to the Marines on the Marine Corps birthday and inspiring news from the Canine Companions Program.

Notable Quotes

• “They cave, they capitulated. They should claim strategic bankruptcy. This is a party bereft of leadership, a vision of ideas.”
  — Kellyanne Conway (02:37)

• “It doesn't feel like a gentleman's agreement. It feels like Lucy in the football.”
  — Jessica Tarlov (02:02)

• “Unity beats disunity every single time. And Trump, Thune and Johnson showed that they can stay together and they hung tight. And so they are the winners in this.”
  — Dana Perino (12:04)

• “No depth, no nuance. If the Republicans are for X, we have to be Y. ... What's missing is persuasion.”
  — Greg Gutfeld (10:13)

• “Young men, they're tired of being told they're a problem, that they're the problem, that the traits they uniquely possess are somehow inherently toxic.”
  — Dana Perino (19:29)

• “When your hatred for Trump outvalues your love for your family, you really need to take a look in the mirror.”
  — Kellyanne Conway (32:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:17] – Democratic Party split over shutdown deal
• [02:09] – Calls for Chuck Schumer’s ouster
• [06:21] – ACA subsidies as an electoral issue
• [09:18] – Public grievances over the shutdown’s impact
• [10:13] – Gutfeld on the Democrats’ lack of persuasion
• [12:04] – GOP unity and legislative strategy
• [14:41] – Newsom’s comments on Democratic messaging to men
• [19:29] – Perino on the cultural messaging to men
• [27:40] – Political polarization tearing families apart
• [32:24] – Conway’s warning about hating Trump more than loving family
• [34:07] – Biden’s critique of Trump and the Constitution
• [38:22] – Gutfeld’s NYT interview and Fox audience
• [41:09] – Animal sounds game and closing stories

Tone & Style

The tone is lively, sarcastic, confrontational, yet often humorous, in keeping with “The Five’s” signature style. Panelists frequently trade barbs, crack jokes, and engage in playful banter even when debating heated topics.

For Listeners

Whether or not you side with the analysis, this episode offers a fast-paced, multifaceted look at contemporary political debates, party fractures, the ways culture wars permeate personal lives, and the strategic implications for the 2026 electoral cycle. The panel’s range of ideologies provides substantive debate and spin in equal measure, making it both engaging and, at times, provocative.