Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode Title: Trans MN Shooter Kills 2 Children, Injures 18
Date: August 28, 2025
Host & Panel: Dana Perino, Trey Gowdy, Jessica Tarlov, Joey Jones, Greg Gutfeld

Episode Overview

This episode of The Five centers on the aftermath of a tragic shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis, where two young children were killed and 18 others injured. The panel analyzes the event's implications, focusing on discussions around the shooter's trans identity, reactions from politicians, and debates over gun control versus mental health. The show also addresses broader political tensions, public safety, and cultural topics, maintaining its trademark blend of sharp banter, passionate disagreement, and pointed commentary.

Main Segments & Discussion Highlights

1. Minneapolis Church Shooting: Tragedy and Political Fallout

[00:34 – 13:37]

• Incident Recap:
  Dana Perino introduces the story: two children (8 and 10) killed and 18 injured at Annunciation Catholic Church—FBI classifying the attack as domestic terrorism and hate crime. The shooter is identified as Robin Westman, a trans individual. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s defense of the trans community sparks debate.

• Media and Political Reactions:
  The hosts highlight responses from Democrats and the media, with some criticizing reliance on "thoughts and prayers" and questioning broader crime strategies.

  • Greg Gutfeld ([02:41]) delivers a heated monologue, blaming media, educators, and politicians for fostering a "trans cult" mindset, arguing that identity politics led to tragedy:

    "The most compassionate people on this planet are trying to stop the trans delusion... Politicians, activists, teachers. You built this... You created a poisonous program that twisted young minds for destruction."
    (Greg Gutfeld, 03:08)

  • Trey Gowdy ([05:08]) emphasizes the inherent futility in seeking a motive:

    "You will be frustrated trying to find the why. There is nothing that explains... there is no explanation ever for taking the life of a child."

• Gun Control vs Mental Health:

  • Jessica Tarlov ([06:13]) stresses the importance of practical action on weapons access, citing the shooter’s own words about the ease of legally obtaining firearms:

    "...in this notebook as well, the shooter said that it was, quote, shockingly easy to get these guns legally, to go to a pawn shop and to buy them."
    (Jessica Tarlov, 07:30)

  • Joey Jones ([09:10]) counters that mental health—particularly around trans identity—needs stricter consideration in gun sales, critiquing Democrats:

    "You want me to prove I'm not evil to own a gun, but I'm a bigot? Because I want you to prove you're not crazy because you want to change your identity... That's the right of 350 million Americans. It's protected in the Constitution."
    (Joey Jones, 09:29)

• Debate on Political Exploitation:

  • The group fiercely debates the efficacy and sincerity of various policy responses, targeting each other's perceived partisan motives.

2. Gavin Newsom and Trump: The 2024(+) Political Theater

[13:37 – 23:26]

• Newsom’s Rhetoric & Trump’s Shadow:
  The panel analyzes California Governor Gavin Newsom's emotional warnings about Trump not leaving office, with a recurring satire on Newsom's body language and "crazy hands."

  • Trey Gowdy ([19:50]) on Newsom’s authenticity:

    "He is so disingenuous. I call him the Colorado River. A mile wide and an inch deep... Newsom clearly, Trump is inside Gavin Newsom's head."

• California’s Challenges:

  • The panel skewers Newsom’s alleged lack of substantive results on crime, homelessness, and public services, contrasting his performative condemnation of Trump with local failings.

  • Jessica Tarlov ([20:52]) defends California’s progress:

    "Crime and homelessness is down in California. I'm not saying that if he is the nominee that there won't be a sea of photos... but, you know, you say Gavin Newsom needs to focus on California stuff."

• If Roles Were Reversed:
  Tarlov initiates a "what if" roleplay—imagining Democratic presidents acting as Trump does, foreseeing conservative outrage (22:11–23:34).

  • Jessica Tarlov ([23:13]):

    "Exactly what Donald Trump is doing, but in the form of Barack Obama... Let's play this dystopian universe forever."

3. Crime, Policing, and the “Hoagie Hurler” Case

[24:34 – 33:00]

• National Guard Surge in D.C.:

  • Trump is credited with a "safer" D.C. following an arrest surge and homelessness camp clear-outs. Even Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser expresses gratitude:

    "We greatly appreciate the surge of officers... this is what we think in just a couple of weeks of experience has worked."
    (Muriel Bowser, 25:10)

• Sandwich Incident Debated:

  • A Justice Dept. employee throwing a sandwich at police becomes fodder for a debate on the severity of charges and broader crime policy.
  • Trey Gowdy ([26:02]):

    "You can indict a ham sandwich. You just can't indict a hoagie..."

• Federal Intervention in Big Cities:

  • The segment concludes with cautious optimism about police presence and a humorous aside about National Guard “beefy men” making cities safer.

4. Culture Segment: The “Himbro” and the Male Voter

[33:42 – 37:33]

• Democrat Search for Male Appeal:
  A New York Times article posits the party’s new male ideal: "beefy, placid, and politically ambiguous."

  • Greg Gutfeld ([34:18]):

    "You continually try to redefine the male, but it's your filter for reality that is so damaged it's driven males away."

  • Joey Jones ([35:30]):

    "That's a Republican is what that is... he's not letting you know his politics, it's because he wants to take you on another date, and he's afraid you're going to get mad when he starts talking about his guns."

• Panel’s Consensus:
  They deride attempts to manufacture voter appeal and recommend authenticity over stereotypes.

5. Light Segment: Back Scratchers and Small Joys

[37:52 – 39:44]

• The team chats about the growing back-scratcher “wellness” trend, with nostalgic and humorous stories from their own families.

  • Greg Gutfeld ([38:22]):

    "I used to get paid by my dad to scratch his head for...was it 10 cents a minute?...It is incredibly relaxing and stress and stress reducing. But it's also kind of creepy."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Root of Mass Shootings:

  "The origin of the evil... lies in the creation of a mindset that indulged a delusional self ruining connections with fellow human beings."
  (Greg Gutfeld, 04:03)

• On Motive in Mass Killings:

  "There is nothing that explains. So what if you are troubled? Then guilt kill yourself, which ultimately this person did. Do it on the front end; don't do it after you take the lives of people who have done absolutely nothing to you."
  (Trey Gowdy, 05:12)

• On Gun Policy:

  "If you want to save children's lives, pay attention to what President Trump's doing...because 5% of guns used in 4% of homicides. Banning those. No, that's bullcrap. That's partisan political. That is not saving children."
  (Joey Jones, 12:34)

• On Political Double Standards:

  "Let's pretend a Democratic president did or said this...Meltdown. Four day news cycle. At the very least."
  (Jessica Tarlov, 21:44)

• On Redefining Male Voters:

  "We were never interested in politics...When politics started to blame men as toxic. We know when we're not wanted. We're out of here. So good luck."
  (Greg Gutfeld, 34:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Incident and Context: [00:34 – 04:44]
• Motive & Mental Health: [04:44 – 06:09]
• Gun Control Debate: [06:13 – 13:37]
• Newsom & Trump Segment: [13:37 – 23:26]
• D.C. Crime, National Guard: [24:34 – 33:00]
• Democrats and Male Voters: [33:42 – 37:33]
• Back Scratcher Banter: [37:52 – 39:44]

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Five captures the complexity and emotional charge surrounding mass shootings, debates about identity politics, and ongoing national divides over gun control and public safety. The show blends personal, policy, and political perspectives—sometimes with heated exchanges, often with humor—as hosts grapple with what concrete solutions, if any, would prevent future tragedies and what values should animate American society.