Podcast Summary: The Five – "Trump Considers U.S. Military Action In Iran"

Date: June 18, 2025
Host: FOX News Radio
Guest Voices: Jesse Watters, Katie Pavlich, Harold Ford Jr., Emily Campagno, Greg Gutfeld
Duration: Approximately 40 minutes

I. Introduction

The episode of The Five opens at [00:00], with Jesse Watters introducing the panelists: Katie Pavlich, Harold Ford Jr., Emily Campagno, and Greg Gutfeld. The hosts outline the two major news stories for the evening:

1. Karen Reed's Verdict – Found not guilty of murdering her Boston police officer boyfriend.
2. President Trump's Consideration of Military Action in Iran – Deliberations on a potential U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear sites.

II. Karen Reed Verdict

A. News Report

At [00:40], Brian Yanes delivers the latest updates on the Karen Reed case:

• Verdict: Found not guilty of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
• Conviction: Guilty of an OUI (Operating Under the Influence), sentenced to one year.
• Courtroom Reactions: Reed showed emotional reactions, thanking her supporters at [01:09].

B. Panel Analysis

Greg Gutfeld offers a detailed breakdown at [02:13]:

• Defense Strategy: Successfully instilled reasonable doubt by highlighting missing digital evidence and potential law enforcement misconduct.
• Public Perception: Positioned Reed as a "patsy" framed by authorities.
• Outcome: Emphasizes the defense's effectiveness in casting doubt on the prosecution's case.

Katie Pavlich and Emily Campagno add perspectives, with Katie Pavlich stating Reed "might have been innocent" at [03:33].

Harold Ford Jr. discusses the broader implications and the action of Reed’s supporters [14:10], highlighting the deep divisions in public opinion.

III. President Trump’s Consideration of Military Action in Iran

A. President Trump's Statement

At [03:44], a pivotal moment occurs as Donald Trump addresses the nation regarding potential military action against Iran:

“I’ve been saying for 20 years, maybe longer, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon... There’s no way that you can allow... because the entire world will blow up. I'm not going to let that happen.”
[04:20]

B. Panel Reactions and Analysis

Harold Ford Jr. elaborates on Trump's strategy at [06:11]:

• Options: Trump keeps all options on the table, aiming for a swift resolution.
• Support from Allies: Highlights favorable reactions from regional allies like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the UAE.
• Consistency: Points out Trump's track record of decisive strikes (e.g., Soleimani, Houthis, ISIS).

Katie Pavlich and Greg Gutfeld support Trump's stance, emphasizing the necessity of "peace through strength" and deterrence. At [08:39], Gutfeld praises Trump’s approach:

“It's strength without spread. And the biggest result is deterrence.”
[09:05]

Emily Campagno discusses the complexity and potential consequences of military action at [08:44]:

• America First Policy: Argues that Trump's decisions align with prioritizing U.S. interests.
• Analogy: Compares Iran’s threat to an “unstable teenager” to question the timing and seriousness of the threat.

IV. Immigration Debate

A. Arnold Schwarzenegger on 'The View'

At [14:32], the discussion shifts to Arnold Schwarzenegger's appearance on 'The View', where he criticizes anti-ICE sentiments:

“You must behave like a guest. You have a responsibility as an immigrant to give back to America.”
[15:00]

Katie Pavlich and Greg Gutfeld commend Schwarzenegger’s stance, contrasting it with Democratic policies that they argue have weakened legal immigration and emboldened illegal immigration.

B. Panel Discussions

Emily Campagno vehemently critiques liberal approaches to immigration at [16:56]:

“Safety nuts are my favorite.”
[17:13]

Greg Gutfeld reinforces the need for stringent immigration policies, highlighting incidents and policies that he believes demonstrate Democratic failures in managing immigration.

Harold Ford Jr. underscores the distinction between legal and illegal immigration, criticizing Democrats for "conflating" the two to label Republicans as bigots [23:15].

V. Biden’s Cognitive Decline Hearing

At [30:58], the hosts briefly cover the latest on Joe Biden's cognitive decline:

• Democratic Pushback: Conservatives argue the hearings are a distraction from Biden’s alleged mismanagement.
• Panelists express skepticism about the administration's transparency and emphasize the need for accountability.

VI. Lighthearted Segments and Audience Engagement

Throughout the episode, the panelists engage in lighter discussions:

• Double Dates: Katie Pavlich and Greg Gutfeld debate the practicality and potential pitfalls of Gen Z’s resurgence of double dates [36:15].
• Humorous Analogies: Jesse Watters uses analogies to criticize Democratic behaviors, likening them to unruly party guests [18:52].

Katie Pavlich discusses the impact of democratic policies on immigration while Harry Ford Jr. and others share personal anecdotes and humorous takes, maintaining an engaging and entertaining dialogue.

VII. Closing Remarks

As the episode winds down, the hosts recap the discussions:

• Jesse Watters emphasizes the importance of Trump’s potential actions against Iran and the need for public support.
• Katie Pavlich advocates for clear immigration reforms to attract beneficial immigrants while expelling those who do not comply.
• Harold Ford Jr. concludes with a critical view of the Democratic Party’s direction and calls for accountability.

The show wraps up with a mix of final thoughts and light banter, maintaining the show's characteristic blend of serious analysis and humor.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Donald Trump on Iran:
  “[04:20] 'There’s no way that you can allow, whether you have to fight or not, you can allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon because the entire world will blow up.'”

• Greg Gutfeld on Defense Strategy:
  “[02:13] 'Defense came in swinging because it was a second trial...she's the patsy, she's the one that's getting framed...'”

• Emily Campagno on Immigration:
  “[16:56] 'Safety nuts are my favorite.'”

• Katie Pavlich on Immigration Reform:
  “[21:29] 'We've not reformed this process in a really long time, not since Ronald Reagan was president.'”

• Harold Ford Jr. on Democratic Policies:
  “[23:15] 'The left has purposely conflated them for the sake of trying to call the right bigots for daring to want some kind of system where things are in order.'”

Conclusion

In this episode of The Five, the hosts provide a thorough analysis of significant national issues, particularly focusing on the recent Karen Reed verdict and President Trump’s considerations regarding military action in Iran. The discussions extend to critical debates on immigration policies, reflecting the panel’s commitment to presenting a conservative perspective on current events. Balancing serious news with engaging banter, the episode offers listeners a comprehensive and insightful overview of the political landscape as of June 2025.