Episode Overview

Date: October 27, 2025
Podcast: The Five
Host: Dana Perino, with Katie Pavlich, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Watters, and Greg Gutfeld

In this lively and fast-paced episode, the hosts of "The Five" dissect the major political stories of the day. The main themes include early Democratic maneuvering for the 2028 presidential race, Trump’s high-profile diplomacy in Asia, the leftward shift of the Democratic Party with a focus on New York's mayoral election, immigration language politics, and even a lighter look at Gen Z’s quest to escape doomscrolling.

Key Discussion Points

1. 2028 Democratic Race: Kamala vs. Gavin, and the Ghosts of Past Candidates

• Kamala Harris’ Hints at Another Run

  • Kamala is on a book tour, leaving the door open for a 2028 presidential campaign.
  • “I am not done. There are many ways to serve. I have not decided yet what I will do in the future.” (Kamala via Dana, 00:31)
  • Hosts debate whether Kamala’s continued presence is holding the party back and speculate on her motivations for staying relevant.
  • “As soon as she says, no, I’m not running for 2028, no one’s going to book her again. All the speaking gigs dry up.” (Dana, 06:33)

• Gavin Newsom as an Emerging Contender

  • Gavin Newsom signals interest but is noncommittal before the midterms.
  • Jesse pokes fun at Newsom’s attempts to cast himself as a working-class outsider and at Kamala’s vulnerable position.
  • “He can be anybody, depending on which podcast he goes on.” (Dana, 03:38)

• Eric Swalwell’s “Wreck the Ballroom” Litmus Test

  • “He says every Democratic candidate needs to pledge to wreck Trump’s ballroom on Day One, which would be preposterous.” (Dana, 01:48)
  • Jesse parodies the idea, joking, “If I’m Kamala, I say no, we’re tearing down the wall. We’re keeping the ballroom because Democrats can party. And Rachel, you’re invited.” (Jesse, 02:39)

• Questioning Authenticity and Political Narratives

  • Greg ridicules politicians spinning false bios, referencing Newsom’s privileged upbringing and Kamala’s political strategies.
  • “All the Democrats are banking on ignorance and laziness for their success. If people don’t check, they’re good.” (Greg, 05:24)
  • He offers a sharp analogy: “The Democratic Party reminds me of the tobacco industry up until the 1960s... But then the research broke free, and suddenly the tobacco industry had to put warnings on their product... I think the Democrat now has a working warning that says: warning. This is the party that lied to you about a competent president.” (Greg, 05:54)

2. Trump’s Asia Tour: Diplomacy, Trade, and Trolling Kim Jong Un

• Peace Deals and Economic Gains

  • Trump boasts of ending multiple wars and secures deals across Asia.
  • “This is one of eight wars that my administration has ended in just eight months. We’re averaging one a month.” (Trump, via Harold, 11:59)
  • Katie praises Trump for increasing American exports and forging energy partnerships: “He’s not only putting the America first agenda on the global stage, both by ending wars, promoting economics, but he’s also allowing for these local economies to thrive on American economy and commerce.” (Katie, 13:03)

• Meeting with World Leaders

  • Discussion about Trump meeting the Japanese Emperor and (possibly) Kim Jong Un.
  • “I got along great with Kim Jong Un. I liked him, he liked me. If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea.” (Trump, via Harold, 12:29)
  • Dana adds, “I think President Trump is big in Japan,” giving a nod to his warm reception (15:10).

• Contrast with Previous Presidents

  • Jesse wryly remarks, “Obama was bowing. Biden was confused. Trump’s like the guy that walks onto the carpet at the Academy Awards and he’s a lock for Best picture. You can smell it.” (Jesse, 18:33)
  • The hosts discuss Trump’s leverage over global trade, rare earth minerals, and standing up to China.

3. New York’s Mayoral Race & The Progressive Shift

• Rise of “Zora Momdani,” Bernie, AOC and the Democratic Socialists

  • “Well, they’re all socialists now. Democrats getting on board the Zora Momdani train—the smiling socialists making a final push before next week’s election.” (Katie, 21:00)
  • Memorable rally moments include fiery rhetoric from Sanders, AOC, and “tax the rich” chants.

• AOC’s Defense of Progressivism

  • “We are not the crazy ones, New York City. We are not the outlandish ones... we are sane.” (AOC, 21:49)

• Dana Dissects the Spectacle

  • “AOC was playing all the Kamala hits ... They’ve got a well-oiled machine. And if you think about who’s competing right now for the elections next week, Momdani has Bernie and AOC in this crowd.” (Dana, 22:56)
  • Appeals to envy and “tax the rich” are dissected and criticized as dividing, not uniting.

• Outlook for the Democratic Party

  • “The new champions of the Democratic Party are the progressive left.” (Dana, 25:29)
  • Harold Ford Jr. urges a more practical, unifying vision: “This pitting of people against people is just unnecessary... that’s not how you win a race or start a term to be the mayor.” (Harold, 29:22)

4. Language Politics & Chicago Mayor’s Controversy

• Illegal Alien vs. Undocumented—Political Correctness vs. Policy

  • Mayor Brandon Johnson shames a reporter for using “illegal alien.”
  • “The legal term for my people were slaves. You want me to use that term, too?... The last thing that I’m going to do is accept the type of racist, nasty language to describe human beings.” (Brandon Johnson, 31:40)
  • “Oh, wow. I don’t think that people in Chicago whose neighborhoods have been run by gangs... really care about whether we’re using the term illegal alien or not.” (Katie, 32:07)

• Critiques of Woke Language Policing

  • Jesse: “Isn’t this the kind of woke BS that got your party into so much trouble?” (33:28)
  • Greg: “They police language, not crime... It’s exhausting dealing with stupid people. But in Chicago, keeping the stupid in power has its rewards.” (35:25)

5. Gen Z, Doomscrolling, and “Analogue Bags”

• Gen Z Trends
  • Discussion about Gen Z turning to “analogue bags” filled with paper crosswords, books, and Walkmans to avoid phone addiction and doomscrolling.
  • “Gen Z wants more of this. It’s one of the reasons that shows like Grey’s Anatomy are very popular with Gen Z because they love looking at what it was like before they had these horrible things in their hands.” (Dana, 38:18)
  • Greg, with customary humor, deadpans, “I read this wrong. Analog. I thought it was anal OD og. And so I had some tips, and I can’t use any of them.” (Greg, 38:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kamala’s Prospects

  • “She is trying to be seductive and, like, tantalize this... I might run. No one cares.” (Jesse, 02:02)

• Greg’s “Tobacco Industry” Analogy

  • “The Democratic Party reminds me of the tobacco industry up until the 1960s. The doctors could be paid to say whatever they want … But then the research broke free, and suddenly the tobacco industry had to put warning labels on their product. I think the Democrat now has a working warning...” (Greg, 05:54)

• AOC’s Rallying Cry

  • “We are not the crazy ones, New York City … we are sane.” (AOC, 21:49)

• Jesse on the Shift from Liberalism to Socialism

  • “So, communism’s here because liberalism failed. The liberals poured millions... so then they loan shark these kids into degrees... so they can't even afford a small, expensive apartment to begin with.” (Jesse, 26:03)

• Greg’s Critique of Progressive Policy Reasoning

  • “[On free bus fares] That is the reasoning of a child. Well, how do you pay for the bus driver?... It doesn’t make any sense, but they’re saying, let’s remove the cost because it makes the crook unhappy.” (Greg, 28:13)

• On Language Policing in Chicago

  • “They police language, not crime.” (Jesse, 34:31)
  • “It’s exhausting dealing with stupid people. But in Chicago, keeping the stupid in power has its rewards.” (Greg, 35:25)

• Gen Z “Analog” Fad

  • “She’s telling you about it on social media, but I do love this idea that you have your... book bag with stuff to do other than be on your phone.” (Katie, 37:25)
  • “Once again, I read this wrong. Analog. I thought it was anal OD og. And so I had some tips and I can't use any of them.” (Greg, 38:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Kamala and 2028 Speculation – 00:04 to 08:25
• Trump’s Asia Trip & Foreign Policy – 11:42 to 20:21
• NYC Mayor—Momdani, Progressives & Democratic Infighting – 21:00 to 31:00
• Illegal Alien Language Controversy – 31:30 to 36:46
• Gen Z Analog Bags & Doomscrolling – 37:06 to 38:48

Conclusion

This episode delivered a fast-flowing blend of biting humor, partisan sparring, and political observation. The Five’s panel broke down the Democratic Party’s internal maneuvering, spotlighted Trump’s diplomacy juxtaposed against Biden’s immigration problem, and skewered the left’s linguistic trends. From the nitty-gritty of policy to the spectacle of personality-driven politics, listeners get a comprehensive—and often irreverent—look at the week’s biggest stories.

For those who missed the episode, this summary covers all major content sections, joke highlights, and pointed critiques, offering insight into the political and cultural conversation shaping the news cycle.