Podcast Summary: The Five – July 21, 2025

Introduction

In the July 21, 2025, episode of The Five, hosted by Sandra Smith and featuring panelists Katie Pavlich, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Watters, and Greg Gutfeld, the discussion centered around President Trump's six-month mark into his second term. The panel delved into Trump's policy achievements, Democratic responses, media dynamics, and broader socio-economic issues impacting the United States.

1. President Trump's Achievements

The episode opened with a focus on President Trump’s touted accomplishments over the past six months. Sandra Smith highlighted significant milestones, including the successful implementation of tariffs and enhanced border security measures.

• Tariffs Revenue:

  • Harold Ford Jr. emphasized, “Inflation is now running at a 2.1% annual rate" [00:31-01:48], attributing economic stability to Trump's tariff policies which have generated approximately $100 billion in revenue.

• Border Security:

  • Jesse Watters added, “At the numbers just last month, zero [illegal border crossings]" [01:59-02:01], underscoring the drastic reduction in illegal entries.
  • Greg Gutfeld supported this by stating, “Illegal aliens were released into our country” [02:01-02:04], though his comment appears sarcastic in context.
  • Katie Pavlich provided data-backed support, noting June’s record low border encounters and zero illegal alien releases, countering Democratic criticisms with, “Don’t just take the White House's word for it” [02:10-02:34].

• Economic Stability:

  • Harold Ford Jr. praised Trump's economic policies, mentioning coordination with NATO allies to achieve increased defense spending: “I give him great credit to get our European allies in NATO to spend 5% on defense” [02:56-04:50].

• International Relations:

  • The panel acknowledged Trump’s efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, with Harold Ford Jr. stating, “He continues to work aggressively to end the war in Russia and Ukraine” [02:46-02:10].

2. Democratic Criticism and Polling

The discussion shifted to the Democratic Party’s response to Trump’s policies and current polling data.

• Harold Ford Jr. highlighted a disconnect between economic indicators and public perception: “Surprising to me the president’s underwater on the economy” [04:50-04:56].
• Katie Pavlich pointed out that despite Democratic opposition, the economic data remains favorable for Trump: “The data really speaks for itself” [05:06-05:52].
• Greg Gutfeld mocked Democratic stances, suggesting that Trump’s influence is unparalleled: “Trump’s going to be president for life” [05:06-05:52].

3. Media and Censorship

A significant portion of the episode critiqued the media landscape and perceived censorship.

• Cancellation of Stephen Colbert:

  • Greg Gutfeld criticized the liberal response to CBS canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, calling it “a $40 million therapy session” [22:19-22:54].
  • The panelists argued that Democrats view Colbert’s show as a propaganda tool, with Jesse Watters asserting, “These are the same people who wanted people to lose their livelihoods if they disagreed” [22:54-28:00].

• Censorship Concerns:

  • Discussions around censorship extended to the broader implications of media control, with Harold Ford Jr. warning, “We are on the precipice of entering a censorship state” [22:54-23:12].

4. Hunter Biden’s Criticism of Democrats

Hunter Biden made headlines by vocally criticizing Democratic figures and policies.

• Critique of Democratic Establishment:

  • Hunter Biden condemned figures like George Clooney and James Carville, stating, “George Clooney is not an actor. He is a, like, I don't know what it is. He, he, he's a brand” [12:14-12:33].
  • He further attacked Democratic policies on illegal immigration, declaring, “If I became president, I would pick up the phone and call the president of El Salvador and say, you either send them back or I'm gonna invade” [14:11-14:36].

• Panel Reaction:

  • Greg Gutfeld echoed Hunter’s sentiments, portraying him as a significant threat to the Democratic Party: “This is the guy the memo was about” [43:23-44:15].
  • Katie Pavlich lauded Hunter’s authenticity, contrasting it with Democrats’ perceived inauthenticity: “That guy is authentic. He’s the real deal” [16:03-17:19].

5. Business Climate in California

The panel discussed the exodus of businesses from California, using the example of the In-N-Out CEO relocating to Tennessee.

• In-N-Out CEO’s Move:

  • The CEO cited numerous challenges in California, including high costs, regulations, and social issues: “There were so many pressures and just hoops we were having to jump through” [58:17-59:17].

• California’s Overregulation:

  • Greg Gutfeld highlighted California’s regulatory burden, mentioning, “California has 420,000 regulations” [33:23-33:28].
  • Harold Ford Jr. compared current migrations to historical population shifts, asserting, “People move when they seek more opportunities” [31:07-32:43].

• Economic Impact:

  • Jesse Watters noted job losses in California, attributing them to overregulation: “Under Gavin Newsom, over the last couple of years, the state's lost 6,100 jobs” [35:29-35:50].
  • Katie Pavlich underscored the broader trend of businesses and taxpayers leaving blue states, stressing the sustainability of Democratic programs: “The American people who voted for Donald Trump are going to say nothing has changed with the Democrat Party” [29:51-31:07].

6. Additional Topics

The episode also touched on various lighter and ancillary topics:

• Concert Safety:

  • Katie Pavlich reported a near-accident at a Katy Perry concert involving a butterfly prop: “Summer concerts are getting dangerous” [37:17-38:15].
  • Greg Gutfeld humorously recounted his own concert experience, downplaying the incident: “There was no one riding a butterfly” [37:44-38:32].

• Celebrity Mural:

  • Harold Ford Jr. mentioned a new mural honoring Josephine Baker in Paris, celebrating her legacy: “First black woman to star in a major motion picture” [68:25-69:11].

• Luxury Martini:

  • Katie Pavlich introduced a segment on an $8,000 martini sold at a Hamptons restaurant, highlighting opulent consumerism: “It’s served in a huge martini glass... garnished with a 5-carat diamond tennis necklace” [68:41-69:11].

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, the panelists maintained a consistent pro-Trump stance, celebrating his administration's achievements while criticizing Democratic policies and media practices. They emphasized the positive impacts of Trump's trade and border policies, questioned Democratic integrity, and highlighted ongoing issues like overregulation in states like California. Additionally, they addressed broader cultural and economic trends, reinforcing their perspectives on free speech, media control, and business climate challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Harold Ford Jr.: “Inflation is now running at a 2.1% annual rate.” [00:31-01:48]
• Jesse Watters: “At the numbers just last month, zero.” [01:59-02:01]
• Greg Gutfeld: “Trump’s going to be president for life. Isn’t that what they said?” [05:06-05:52]
• Hunter Biden: “If I became president, I would pick up the phone and call the president of El Salvador and say, you either send them back or I'm gonna invade.” [14:11-14:36]
• Greg Gutfeld: “The liberals are screaming about the death of democracy because CBS finally canceled their $40 million loser.” [22:19-22:54]
• Katie Pavlich: “The data really speaks for itself.” [05:06-05:52]
• Jesse Watters: “These are the same people who wanted people to lose their livelihoods if they disagreed.” [22:54-28:00]
• Harold Ford Jr.: “We are on the precipice of entering a censorship state.” [22:54-23:12]

This comprehensive discussion on The Five covers the pivotal topics and viewpoints presented by the panel, offering listeners a thorough understanding of the conversation's key elements and underlying themes.