Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: TDS Liberals Refuse To Acknowledge Trump’s Wins

Date: December 30, 2025
Host & Panel: Joey Jones, Paul Morrow, Richard Fowler, Kellyanne Conway, Tyrus

Overview

In this episode, the panel discusses the ongoing phenomenon of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS) among liberals, the refusal to acknowledge President Trump's reported policy wins, and the broader state of partisan discourse in the U.S. The group also covers controversies around fraud in Minnesota's social programs, the early jostling for the 2028 presidential race, and local political moves such as the "Abolish ICE" snowplow naming in Chicago. Throughout, the panel maintains its signature mixture of sharp criticism, sarcastic asides, and banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump's Wins and TDS Among Liberals

• Trump's Record (00:33–01:11):
  Joey Jones sets the stage, summarizing Trump's year as one of strong economic growth, lower inflation, reduced crime, and a "secure border," noting liberal refusals to credit these points.

• Bill Maher’s Observation (01:11–01:34):
  Maher's critique that for some, hating Trump has become a defining personality trait.

  “If that’s your whole personality… the first thing out of your mouth is ‘What are we gonna do about Donald Trump?’ — I just can’t.” — Bill Maher [01:11]

• Rosie O’Donnell & Social Media Outrage (01:34–02:24):
  Rosie O’Donnell's renewed call for Trump’s removal via the 25th Amendment – and her hyperbolic language:

  “He needs to be stopped. So 25th amendment. Come on, people... It is not a good man. It's hardly even a human.” — Rosie O'Donnell [02:09]

• Eric Swalwell’s Impeachment Threats (02:24–02:46):
  Swalwell ramps up rhetoric, telling Trump officials to “save your emails, your text messages. We’re not going away.” [02:34]

• Tyrus’ Spin on Media Outrage (03:01–04:08):
  Tyrus questions why fringe figures like Rosie O’Donnell are given any attention at all:

  “If Rosie O’Donnell speaks in a forest and Fox doesn't pick it up, nobody hears it… This is the problem of being in a very successful year and a very successful administration.” — Tyrus [03:01]

  He lampoons the TDS phenomenon and advocates moving on:

  “You're never going to get a chance to beat President Trump. He's done. He won. Game over. Move on.” — Tyrus [03:42]

2. Democratic Messaging & Electoral Strategy (04:10–07:55)

• Kellyanne Conway’s Critique (04:10–05:45): She argues that “Trump is bad” is an insufficient message for Democrats, highlighting tangible policy accomplishments:

  “Is it his historic tax relief? The dereg on small businesses? Is the peace deals he's making?... I've tried every which way in the 10 years of Trump… don't you like this policy?... Are you done defending Biden and Harris? You're indefensible.” — Kellyanne [04:21]

  She also questions the emotional state of critics:

  “Don't you have anybody who loves you? You need a hug or a husband or a hobby or a hairy dog?” — Kellyanne [05:32]

• Richard Fowler’s Pushback (06:24–07:48): Richard refocuses on “real problems” facing Americans, like healthcare and the nursing shortage:

  “Trump Derangement Syndrome is a luxury that is afforded to those who aren't worried about their grocery bills... For America's registered nurses that can't afford to move, they're dealing with the real ramifications of Medicaid cuts and healthcare premiums going up.” — Richard [06:24]

• Debate Over Issues vs. Obsession (07:55–11:15): Paul Morrow underscores energy policy and immigration as Trump's core wins, while noting Democrats lack a compelling messenger:

  “We are a carbon-based system. We are carbon-based people. That matters. That's the domestic situation. To me that's his most important accomplishment.” — Paul [09:45]

  "...in this era... it's about the messenger as much as it is the issues. And the Dems just don't have the messenger... He lives in their heads. It's a fatal attraction." — Paul [10:49]

3. Minnesota Fraud Scandal & Political Blowback (11:54–16:19)

• Outline of the Scandal (11:54–13:34): Panel discusses reporting by Nick Shirley on a childcare and nutrition aid fraud in Minnesota allegedly tied to Somali-American migrants. Governor Tim Walz faces pressure as federal investigators dig in.

• Politico Reporter’s “Stand Your Ground” Tweet (12:48–14:18): The team derides Politico reporter Josh Gerstein’s suggestion that reporters could be shot while investigating the scandal, seeing it as both hyperbolic and revealing of media bias.

• Cultural Sensitivity and Systemic Claims (19:26–21:51): Richard Fowler urges distinguishing individual wrongdoers from whole immigrant communities:

  “When you talk to the Somali community... what they're saying is you are trying to... blame our entire community for one or two or three bad actors... There's 80,000 Somalis who live in Minnesota… There should not be a wholesale attack against the Somali community or immigrant communities in general.” — Richard [19:26]

  Joey Jones pushes back:

  “If you have a community that comes here to this country so tight knit and so still adhere to the country they came from, that they don’t have any sort of allegiance… that's the problem.” — Joey [21:15]

4. 2028 Race: Early Horse-Race Talk (22:47–29:56)

• Early Democratic Field and GOP Strength (22:47–23:56): Politico touts Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and AOC, while J.D. Vance leads New Hampshire polling for Republicans.

• Paul Morrow on the Power of Stories in Politics (24:19):

  “His story of coming off a mountain in Appalachia, had a very hard scrabble beginning... Goes to Yale Law School, now he's the vice president…” — Paul [24:19]

  Paul warns both parties’ front-runners must “own” both successes and failures of their respective brands.

• Tyrus’ Take on Political Speculation (26:14–27:53):

  “This is what happens when things are good in the country. You talk about the future when it's three years away… You can never beat President Trump again... He won. Game over.” — Tyrus [26:14]

• Kamala Harris’ Weakness (28:20–28:52): Discussion turns to the lack of visible support for Kamala Harris as a Democratic kingmaker:

  “Nobody is asking Kamala, including the two women who just won the governorships in New Jersey and Virginia, to campaign with her. She seems like a punchline.” — Kellyanne [28:03]

5. Chicago’s “Abolish ICE” Snowplow & Crime Policy (30:25–34:10)

• Brandon Johnson Endorses “Abolish ICE” as Snowplow Name (30:25–31:10): The panel ridicules the symbolism, with Paul Morrow suggesting Chicago could better focus on addressing homicides.

  “How about we name the thing... ‘Abolish dead young men in the streets every weekend?’ That might be a good idea.” — Paul [31:18]

• Debating Crime Stats (32:44–33:50): Richard Fowler notes crime and homicide rates are falling in Chicago and other cities due to direct community intervention by mayors.

  Joey dismisses the snowplow stunt as meaningless and criticizes attacking law enforcement as bad optics.

6. Rapid-Fire “Fastest” Round (34:54–37:55)

• California man has a 550-pound bear living under his house (34:54–36:37): Light-hearted banter with tongue-in-cheek suggestions for resolving the bear problem.

• Speeding tickets by drone (36:43–37:55): The group debates surveillance and public safety vs. Big Brother concerns.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Don't you have anybody who loves you? You need a hug or a husband or a hobby or a hairy dog?” — Kellyanne Conway [05:32]
• “Trump Derangement Syndrome is a luxury that is afforded to those who aren't worried about their grocery bills...” — Richard Fowler [06:24]
• “We are a carbon-based system. We are carbon-based people. That matters.” — Paul Morrow [09:45]
• “If Rosie O’Donnell speaks in a forest and Fox doesn't pick it up, nobody hears it…” — Tyrus [03:01]
• “He won. Game over. Move on.” — Tyrus [03:42]; “This is what happens when things are good in the country. You talk about the future when it's three years away.” — Tyrus [26:14]
• “How about we name the thing... ‘Abolish dead young men in the streets every weekend?’” — Paul Morrow [31:18]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction & TDS Topic: 00:33–04:08
• Democratic Messaging & Strategy: 04:10–11:15
• Minnesota Fraud Scandal: 11:54–21:51
• 2028 Horse-Race Politics: 22:47–29:56
• Chicago & ICE/Snowplow Debate: 30:25–34:10
• “Fastest” Round (Bear, Drones, Fun): 34:54–37:55

Conclusion & Tone

The episode is lively, pointed, and sarcastic, reinforcing a recurring argument that Trump critics are out-of-touch and focused on personalities over policies. The hosts mix serious points about policy and political strategy with plenty of ribbing and banter, occasionally veering into hyperbole and strong personal critique. The tone is overtly skeptical of liberal reactions to Trump and current Democratic messaging, while also pillorying progressive stunts such as Chicago’s snowplow naming.

For listeners: This episode will resonate most for fans of 'The Five's' trademark blend of culture war jabs, direct policy talk, and panelist banter. Those seeking a broad cross-section of political opinion, especially direct engagement with Democratic perspectives, may find the discussion heavily tilted.