Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode Title: Socialism Spreading In Democratic Party
Date: November 13, 2025
Host & Panelists: Kayleigh McEnany, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Waters, Dana Perino, Greg Gutfeld

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the perceived growth of socialism within the Democratic Party, sparked by recent political developments such as Zoran Mamdani's win in New York City and the election of a socialist mayor in Seattle. The panelists discuss the implications of these shifts, the role of identity politics, the party’s approach toward Trump supporters, the recent government shutdown, and party messaging issues. Social and cultural controversies, such as trans rights and women's spaces, are also debated, culminating in lighter commentary on Kamala Harris, AI in daily life, and other news.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Socialism’s Growing Influence within the Democratic Party

Timestamp: 00:35–08:30

• Kayleigh McEnany opens the discussion by noting socialist successes in urban politics, specifically in NYC (Zoran Mamdani) and Seattle (Katie Wilson), highlighting the perceived radicalism fueling these wins.
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) is cited for her outreach to Trump voters, with skepticism expressed by panelists about the authenticity and success of her efforts:
  • Greg Gutfeld: “I love. She says, ‘I can’t tell you how many times Trump supporters have come up to me and said, yes, yes, on Democrats, socialism...’ Well, I can tell you how many. Zero. Didn’t happen.” [03:16]
  • Gutfeld also compares the embrace of socialism to being “lab rats in their experiment,” adding historic warnings about socialism evolving into authoritarianism (referencing Venezuela).
• The panel argues that established Democrats are now losing ground not to Republicans, but to ideologically purist socialists:
  • Jesse Waters highlights the methodical organizational skills of groups like the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America):
    “The DSA has been quietly and systematically working to build their troops... They know how to organize. They have classes where you can learn how to speak better.” [06:09]
  • Dana Perino frames this as a generational and ideological shift, with younger, farther-left candidates replacing moderate, experienced Democrats.

2. Democratic Party Identity: Elites, Snobbery, and the Loss of the Working Class

Timestamp: 02:11–11:15

• Chris Matthews is cited for his critique that Democrats have become a “party of snobs.”
• Discussion of how the party’s base has shifted from non-college-educated, working-class support to being more elite and highly educated, alienating rural and middle-class voters:
  • Harold Ford Jr.: “20 years ago, you’d probably do your best to hide your snobbery. Today you broadcast it... It’s so alienating...that you feel like you’re living in another country.” [08:30]
• Reflections on AOC’s approach as an attempt to diversify the party’s appeal, but the panel remains skeptical of its efficacy and authenticity.

3. Party Factionalism, Social Media Hatred, and Intra-Party Smears

Timestamp: 02:23–05:50

• Senator John Fetterman’s experiences with online vitriol from his own party are discussed. The panel distinguishes between right-wing personal attacks and the more violent rhetoric received from the left.
  • Greg Gutfeld: “The right would say really rough things... But, on the left, it was like they want me to die or that they’re cheering for your next stroke.” [02:40]
• Gutfeld comments on the “hierarchy of smears,” suggesting left-wing insults can be more personal and harmful than political attacks.

4. Government Shutdown Aftermath and Intra-Party Democratic Turmoil

Timestamp: 13:47–25:55

• The panel analyzes the recent government shutdown, its political aftermath, and Democratic internal strife:
  • Greg Gutfeld: Points out the high cost of the shutdown and the lack of tangible gain for Democrats.
  • Jesse Waters: “By shutting the government down, we were able to focus on and get everybody else to focused on the unaffordability of health care… The Democrats are saying that you are expendable, that it was okay, it was worth it.” [17:06]
  • Dana Perino raises concern that health care policy debates were mishandled during the shutdown, calling for more nuanced leadership.
  • Discussion about potential Democratic leadership changes, especially scrutiny of Chuck Schumer.

5. Identity Politics and the Women’s Locker Room Confrontation

Timestamp: 27:12–33:16

• The viral confrontation between activist Tish Hyman and CA State Senator Scott Wiener over policies allowing trans women (biological men) in women’s spaces is discussed:
  • Jesse Waters: “She confronted one of California’s top liberal leaders…at a town hall” [27:24].
  • Greg Gutfeld: “She threw their one weapon, which is identity politics, back in their faces. She said, don’t use my civil rights story…to protect a biological fiction that allows women to be hurt…” [31:27]
  • Panelists strongly criticize Senator Wiener’s response and Democratic Party messaging for alienating women and the broader electorate.

6. Kamala Harris and Democratic Leadership Mocked

Timestamp: 33:32–37:40

• Kamala Harris claims on a book tour that she "outsmarted" Donald Trump:
  • Kayleigh McEnany: “For her to say she’s played three dimensional chess, she’s never even played checkers.” [34:44]
  • Panel unanimously mocks her assertions, suggesting her political strategy has been a failure.
  • The point is made that celebrating strategy after losing is unconvincing and counterproductive for future ambitions.

7. AI’s Role in Everyday Life and Game Night Cheating

Timestamp: 38:04–40:09

• ChatGPT and AI tools entering social spaces (like trivia nights and research) spark mixed reactions:
  • Kayleigh McEnany: “One of my favorite activities is research. And my friend was like, you got to use AI… I’ve just been thoroughly unimpressed.” [38:58]
  • Greg Gutfeld speculates if AI will become less reliable as it replaces its own data sources.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Greg Gutfeld (on AOC and socialism):
  “That’s like her, that's like a dog saying, ‘I can't believe how many times a fire hydrant has come up to me and said, hey, I really like getting peed on.’” [03:16]

• Harold Ford Jr. (on Democratic elitism):
  “...It’s so alienating...that you feel like you’re living in another country. And at a certain point, a lot of the middle and working class, they do feel like they’re living in another country.” [08:30]

• Jesse Waters (on the Seattle mayoral race):
  “The DSA has been quietly and systematically working to build their troops...they know how to organize. They have classes where you can learn how to speak better.” [06:09]

• Kayleigh McEnany (on health care and shutdown):
  “This was never about principle, it was about fighting...They don’t care about the federal workers, they care about the fight.” [21:20]

• Dana Perino (on party strategy and voters):
  “Politics is about looking at what happened most recently and what happened most recently. Candidates all across this country...from Democratic socialists to moderates...this is not what voters want.” [36:26]

• Greg Gutfeld (on locker room controversy):
  “Her name is Hyman and his name is Weiner...Hyman won, which is, you know, that's a shock, but it did. It exposed the woke pyramid of preferences.” [31:26]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:35–03:13 – Socialists' wins in NYC and Seattle, AOC's outreach claims, introduction of intra-Democratic snobbery
• 03:13–05:50 – Panel skepticism toward AOC; personal attacks over politics, Fetterman’s social media experiences
• 06:09–08:23 – Detailed discussion of DSA's success and leftist organizational skill
• 13:47–18:33 – Government shutdown fallout, party division, backlash, and implications for upcoming elections
• 27:12–33:16 – Trans rights and women’s spaces, viral confrontation in California, identity politics paradoxes
• 33:32–37:40 – Kamala Harris’ book tour and panel lampooning
• 38:04–40:09 – AI invading daily and social activities, skepticism, and anecdotes

Themes and Tone

• Tone: Sharp, satirical, openly partisan; predominantly skeptical and critical of progressive trends, often mocking progressive leaders and ideas; sprinkled with humor and pop culture references.
• Main Themes:
  • Anxiety about the Democratic Party’s leftward movement
  • Concerns over elitism, snobbery, and alienation of working-class voters
  • Intense intra-party tension and personal attacks
  • The cultural impact of identity politics
  • Skepticism toward tech (AI) and progressive social change

Conclusion

This episode of "The Five" offers a critical, often humorous take on the Democratic Party’s relationship with socialism, the impact of intra-party divisions, and the tensions between progressive leaders and mainstream voters. Through discussion of political events, personal anecdotes, and viral controversies, the panel argues that Democrats risk further alienation from key voter groups, with the specter of ideological purity and identity politics looming large ahead of upcoming elections.