The Five – January 29, 2026

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This episode of "The Five" revolves around the most controversial news stories of the day, including Trump’s pivot on immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, fallout from the ICE-related killing of Alex Preddy, the political demise of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Nicki Minaj’s public endorsement of President Trump, and media coverage of President Biden. The discussion is lively, combative, and features both pointed criticisms and moments of banter among the hosts Dana Perino, Kennedy, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Waters, and Greg Gutfeld.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Cabinet Meeting and Border Policy Shift

• (00:49–02:56) Dana recaps Trump’s 10th cabinet meeting—surpassing Biden’s total—and his focus on record-secure border stats. Greg reads Trump’s braggadocious remarks about “zero illegal aliens…for the last eight months.”
  • Greg (01:18): “Our border is very secure, record-setting secure. We had zero illegal aliens being admitted…”
• Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, is dispatched to Minneapolis to address recent unrest and the fallout after Alex Preddy’s death.
  • Greg (02:32): “We are not surrendering our mission at all. We’re just doing smarter.”

Discussion on ICE Confrontation and Alex Preddy’s Death

• (02:56–04:40) Dana recaps the violent altercation caught on camera between Preddy and ICE, and reads the Preddy family’s statement claiming Alex posed no threat.
• Kennedy (03:34) credits Homan’s more measured, cooperative tone for improving relationships and ponders if prior collaboration could have avoided tragedy.

2. Politics and Rhetoric Around Immigration and Enforcement

• (04:40–10:01)
  • Greg highlights Homan’s operational knowledge and the shift in Minneapolis: “Keith Ellison even said, yes, we’ll start handing bad hombres over from the jails. That will lower the footprint in Minneapolis and that’s safer for everybody.” (05:16)
  • The table debates the media depiction of ‘martyrs’ and the need for honest narratives:
    • Greg (06:40): “Why can't the Democrats and the media be honest about their martyrs? Why can't they accept any responsibility?”
  • Jessica calls the government shutdown threat “one of the dumbest,” as it targets FEMA more than ICE. She praises Homan’s candor admitting mistakes and signals a better direction:
    • Jessica (08:38): “Tom Holman made sure that he acknowledged the fact that mistakes had been made...he said, I would not be here if everything had been done perfectly.”
    • She notes the new ICE focus on criminals, and that ICE/CBP are now instructed not to engage with agitators.

3. Analysis of the Preddy Incident and Protester Narratives

• (10:01–13:52)
  • Jesse argues that the Minneapolis mayor’s hands-off police policy led to escalation and tragedy:
    • Jesse (10:11): “The video is merely proving the point that this was a planned ongoing mission to create violent chaos…”
  • Greg and Jesse criticize the media’s romanticizing of protesters, advocating for a more realistic portrayal:
    • Greg (12:42): “The more you see this, the more America sees this, the better America is because you're going to reduce the number of tragedies by demystifying the romance of this action.”

4. The Fall of Tim Walz and Kamala Harris’s ‘Kiss of Death’

• (14:09–21:47)
  • Discussion pivots to Tim Walz’s political demise after being picked as Kamala Harris’s running mate. Megan and Jesse are sarcastic about Walz’s announcement to never run again, implying the scrutiny destroyed him:
    • Jesse (16:18): “It’s not Kamala’s fault. She didn’t kill Waltz’s career. Sunlight did...He operated in the darkness of layered bureaucracies.”
  • Greg proclaims Walz the “perfect example of the more incompetent you are, the higher you rise in Democrat politics,” satirically naming other Democrats.
  • Jessica rebuffs that the Walz affair is a Kamala issue, pointing out the pre-existing fraud scandals and highlighting Amy Klobuchar’s strengths.
  • The group debates Klobuchar’s legislative effectiveness and personal style in a segment filled with playful derision.

5. Nicki Minaj’s Trump Endorsement

• (22:49–30:25)
  • Greg and Jesse introduce Nicki Minaj’s enthusiastic support for Trump at his Cash for Babies event.
    • Nicki Minaj (23:29): “I am probably the President’s number one fan. And that's not going to change...it actually motivates me to support him more.”
  • They discuss the significance of a high-profile Black celebrity supporter for Republicans versus the liberal dominance in celebrity culture:
    • Jesse (25:10): “Why is a Republican celebrity worth 100 Democrat celebrities? Because they’re more rare...it’s just that much more brave when somebody does this.”
  • Dana and Jessica praise the Cash for Babies/baby bonds plan and financial literacy, noting Minaj’s personal story as an immigrant who struggled with money.
  • Greg and Jessica engage in light banter about Nicki Minaj’s status as an immigrant and rapper, as Megan lists her picks for greatest female MCs.

6. Media, Biden, and the Press Bubble

• (30:42–36:41)
  • The team mockingly discusses Joe Scarborough’s admission that Biden’s staff pressured him to “be nice to the President” on air.
    • Jesse (33:25): “Scarborough was dishonest. He was dishonest to his viewers. He put the country at risk so he could still maintain his status to go on Kimmel's show.”
  • Dana points out the danger for Democrats in believing their own press, saying adversarial media makes leaders sharper.
  • Kennedy draws comparisons between Scarborough’s and Newsom’s political ambitions, accusing both of protecting Biden for personal gain.

7. "Fastest" and Offbeat Banter

• (37:13–39:26)
  • The hosts confess quirky eating habits (e.g., breakfast Dr. Pepper), tease each other, and riff on soft drinks—offering levity after heavier topics.

8. One More Thing: Fox Wine, Animal Stories, Shout-outs

• (40:24–end)
  • Greg announces Fox-branded wine for Valentine’s Day with typical irreverence.
    • Greg (40:32): “We sling a lot of crap on this show. I mean, this is actually—actually good.”
  • Clips of a cow using a tool, rescue of a dog by the St. Louis Fire Department, and classic playful host banter round out the show.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Greg Gutfeld:

  • (05:16) “Keith Ellison even said, yes, we’ll start handing bad hombres over from the jails. That will lower the footprint in Minneapolis and that’s safer for everybody.”
  • (06:40) “Why can't the Democrats and the media be honest about their martyrs? Why can't they accept any responsibility?”
  • (16:18) “It’s not Kamala’s fault. She didn’t kill Waltz’s career. Sunlight did...He operated in the darkness of layered bureaucracies...”
  • (18:48) “This is the perfect example of the more incompetent you are, the higher you rise in Democrat politics...These are people who are dumb. They look a certain way and they get elevated and told what to say.”
  • (23:15) “And I’m with the Queen of rap. Nicki Minaj is going maga.”

• Jesse Waters:

  • (10:11) “The video is merely proving the point that this was a planned ongoing mission to create violent chaos which increases the risk for things that happen, terrible outcomes that involve Preddy.”
  • (25:10) “Why is a Republican celebrity worth 100 Democrat celebrities? ...it’s just that much more brave when somebody does this.”
  • (33:25) “Scarborough was dishonest. He was dishonest to his viewers. He put the country at risk...”

• Jessica Tarlov:

  • (08:38) “Tom Holman made sure that he acknowledged...mistakes had been made…he said, I would not be here if everything had been done perfectly.”
  • (27:40) “No. I like compound interest. According to the guy who came up with this idea, it was pitched to the Biden administration and they weren’t interested in it, which I think is a big miss.”

• Nicki Minaj:

  • (23:29) “I am probably the President’s number one fan. And that's not going to change… it actually motivates me to support him more…”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:49–02:56: Trump’s cabinet meeting and border policy claims
• 02:56–04:40: Alex Preddy/ICE incident recap, Kennedy on Minneapolis cooperation
• 04:40–10:01: Shift in federal enforcement, Homan’s approach, ICE shutdown risks
• 10:01–13:52: Video evidence, protester narratives, impact of local law enforcement pullback
• 14:09–21:47: Tim Walz’s fall, Kamala Harris’s “kiss of death,” Amy Klobuchar’s prospects
• 22:49–30:25: Nicki Minaj’s Trump endorsement, debate over celebrity support, baby bonds plan
• 30:42–36:41: Media’s role in the Biden presidency, Scarborough admissions, Newsom analogy
• 37:13–39:26: "Fastest" segment – habits, levity
• 40:24–end: “One more thing,” Fox-branded wine, animal videos, shout-outs

Tone

Throughout the episode, the language is sharp, satirical, and sometimes biting, with a blend of humor and heated analysis. The hosts often interrupt each other with jokes and competitive banter, mirroring the combative (and sometimes playful) tone typical of “The Five.”

Summary

Listeners who missed this episode will find a lively rundown of current political flashpoints—especially Trump’s Minneapolis strategy, ICE controversies, left-vs-right media narratives, and the surprising spectacle of Nicki Minaj as a Trump supporter. The hosts dive into their trademark raucous debate, with memorable one-liners, detailed policy discussion, and a few pop culture detours.