Podcast Summary: The Five – "Trump: Iran’s Nuke Sites Are 'Obliterated'"
Episode Date: June 25, 2025
Host: FOX News Radio
Podcast Description: The Five delves into the most talked-about topics with five distinct voices, dissecting, debating, and sometimes debunking the day's hot news stories, controversies, and issues.
1. Operation Midnight: President Trump's Assertive Strike on Iran
The episode opens with the hosts discussing President Trump's recent press conference following the NATO summit, where he announced a decisive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, dubbing it "Operation Midnight." Trump claimed that Iran's nuclear sites have been "obliterated," asserting the operation's success against skepticism from liberal media outlets.
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Kennedy [00:05]: Introduces the context of Trump's press conference and labels the media's skeptical report as "fake news."
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Jesse Waters [00:40]: Declaims skepticism towards the media's portrayal with a succinct "Oh, fake news."
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Tyrus [00:43 & 01:15]: Defends the operation's success, emphasizing the precision of the strike: "If you want to make an assessment of what happened at Fordow, you better get a big shovel and go really deep because Iran's nuclear program is obliterated" ([01:15]).
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Dana Perino [01:32]: Accuses leakers of treason, labeling them "professional stabbers."
The hosts collectively challenge CNN and other liberal outlets for allegedly undermining Trump's claims, arguing that the operation was meticulously executed and significantly debilitated Iran's nuclear capabilities.
2. NATO Summit: Trump’s Leadership Compared to Biden’s
The discussion transitions to comparing President Trump's handling of the NATO summit with that of former President Biden.
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Harold Ford Jr. [02:23]: Highlights Trump's proactive engagement at the summit, contrasting it with Biden's previous challenges. He remarks, "If you guys are willing to pony up and pay your share? Yeah, we're in. We're a part of it" ([02:23]).
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Jesse Waters [03:54]: Reflects on Biden's past NATO summit experience, noting Biden's subsequent incapacitation: "President Biden went overseas and then came back and was incapacitated for weeks" ([03:54]).
The hosts praise Trump’s assertive and hands-on approach at international gatherings, suggesting a stark improvement over Biden's tenure.
3. New York City's Mayoral Race: Surge of Socialism
A significant portion of the episode delves into the surprising outcome of New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, where socialist candidate Zoran Mamdani emerged victorious over the incumbent, Andrew Cuomo.
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Harold Ford Jr. [12:22]: Discusses the implications of Mamdani's victory, stating, "Zoran is running on a socialist platform that would make Bernie and AOC blush" ([13:21]).
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Tyrus [20:18]: Criticizes the electorate's shift towards socialism, attributing it to economic frustrations: "They wanted communism, and they got it" ([20:18]).
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Dana Perino [08:57]: While critical, Perino offers a balanced view on the need for positive agendas: "It's incumbent upon Eric Adams... to lay out a positive tough-minded agenda" ([08:57]).
The hosts express deep concern over the rise of socialism in one of America's largest cities, arguing that Mamdani's policies could lead to increased crime, economic instability, and erosion of free-market principles.
4. California’s Politician in Hot Water: Incitement Against ICE
The conversation shifts to the controversy surrounding Cynthia Gonzalez, a vice mayor in an LA county city, who allegedly released a video urging Latino gangs to defend their territories against ICE agents.
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Tyrus [22:25]: Describes Gonzalez's actions as dangerous, stating, "She's basically trying to endanger the lives because what do you think they're going to do?" ([22:25]).
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Dana Perino [27:59]: Condemns Gonzalez's behavior as "disgusting and reprehensible," emphasizing the need for law enforcement to take the matter seriously ([27:59]).
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Jesse Waters [25:25]: Calls for legal repercussions: "She should be under the radar. She should be under the jail right now" ([25:25]).
The hosts unanimously condemn Gonzalez’s actions, framing them as an attack on law enforcement and public safety, and advocate for her prosecution to deter similar misconduct.
5. Bernie Sanders on The Joe Rogan Experience: Climate Change and Campaign Financing
The episode reviews Bernie Sanders' recent appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, where Sanders confronted Elon Musk's political involvement and debated climate change.
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Dana Perino [29:08]: Highlights the significance of Sanders engaging in a "reasonable, measured conversation" without resorting to yelling, praising Rogan's role in facilitating constructive dialogue ([29:08]).
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Kennedy [31:17]: Criticizes the climate change movement as "hysteria" driven by profit motives, aligning with Rogan's skepticism ([31:17]).
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Harold Ford Jr. [34:17]: Discusses campaign financing, contrasting Sanders' reluctance with the Democratic establishment's reliance on large donations: "They spent $1.5 billion just over the course of a couple of months" ([34:17]).
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Tyrus [35:04]: Advocates for accepting large political donations, aligning with the show's overall criticism of Democratic fundraising practices ([35:04]).
The hosts commend Sanders for engaging in substantive debate while critiquing the influence of big money in politics, underscoring the need for campaign finance reform.
Conclusion:
In this episode of The Five, the hosts robustly defend President Trump's leadership and strategic decisions, particularly regarding the strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. They express skepticism towards liberal media narratives and warn against the rising tide of socialism in major American cities, using New York City's mayoral race as a case study. Additionally, they vehemently oppose actions that undermine law enforcement, exemplified by Cynthia Gonzalez’s alleged incitement against ICE agents. The discussion also touches upon the integrity of political debates and the pervasive influence of large-scale campaign financing within the Democratic Party. Throughout, the hosts leverage a blend of direct quotes and sharp critiques to present their perspectives on contemporary political issues.
