Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: "Trump: Much Safer World When Iran War Wraps"
Date: March 16, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts

Overview

This episode of "The Five" dives into the ongoing U.S. military action against Iran, with a focus on President Trump's leadership during "Operation Epic Fury." The panel debates the impact of military strikes, media framing, American and Iranian leadership, domestic political implications, and flare-ups in culture and sports. The latter half covers Democratic Party identity issues, women in sports, reactions to the Oscars, and social commentary on current events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Action Against Iran and Trump's Approach

Main Theme: Hitting Iran hard, forming coalitions, and Trump's unique style of wartime leadership.

• Trump’s Statements:

  • Trump projects confidence that the conflict will be “wrapped up soon,” leading to a safer world ([01:22]).
  • Brags about the devastation of Iranian military capabilities and strategically sparing “the pipes” (oil infrastructure) for economic reasons ([01:54]).

• Panel’s Reactions:

  • Dana Perino lays out the operational progress: coalition-building, oil hub attacks, and decimation of missile production ([01:32]).
  • Kayleigh McEnany highlights Trump’s decades-long concern about Iranian threats and his “incredible” resolve:

    “President Trump going back to 1988 has spoken about it. ... Here we are, 1988. That’s the year I was born.” ([06:57])

  • Joey “JJ” Jorgensen forcefully criticizes Democrats who question the timing of the operation, calling out hypocrisy compared to the Afghanistan withdrawal:

    “If you didn’t have any criticism...over that, but you are now on an offensive operation where 13 souls have died... then you’re intellectually dishonest.” ([05:26])

  • Harold Ford Jr. raises questions about next steps: troop commitments, coalition building, possible regime change, and counter-drone needs ([08:48]). Acknowledges that Trump called it a “war” for the first time.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Trump: “We left the pipes. Just known that for a long period of time, just like I knew about the strait, that it would be a weapon, which I predicted a long time ago, predicted all of this stuff” ([01:54]).
  • JJ Jorgensen: “I want people to ask questions. I fought those two never ending wars. If this is over in a couple of weeks... it makes a lot of sense.” ([05:02])

2. Media & Liberal Critiques: Racism, Motives, and the “Handmaid's Tale”

• Hot Takes Covered:

  • Some on the left and in media compare U.S. actions to Iran, claiming both oppress women and suggesting religious motives are equally problematic ([03:33]).
  • Dana Perino and Kayleigh McEnany reject “Handmaid’s Tale” analogies and point to U.S. constitutional protections for women ([06:57]).
  • Greg Gutfeld lampoons liberal inconsistencies:

    “The people that were always saying America would be the Handmaid's Tale...are now embracing...Iran, which is a totalitarian theocracy that subjugates women.” ([12:24])

• Notable Quotes:

  • JJ Jorgensen: “If predominantly white countries did the things that Iran did, I think we’d have no problem bombing the hell out of them too.” ([04:18])

3. Iranian Leadership in Turmoil

• Ayatollah’s Status and Rumors:

  • Uncertainty about Iran’s new supreme leader, with Trump joking about his health, sexuality, and ability to lead ([02:36], [03:00]).
  • Greg Gutfeld jokes: “This new ayatollah is gay....Because we weren't ready to have a gay ayatollah.” ([11:49])

• Tone and Humor:

  • Moments of dark humor and sarcasm lighten otherwise heavy segments.

4. Democratic Party Identity Crisis Post-Trump

Theme: Who are the Democrats when not defined by opposition to “Orange Man Bad”?

• Axios Story:

  • Democrats face “post Trump identity crisis;” uncertain how to campaign once Trump moves on ([15:16]).
  • Greg Gutfeld: “Will the left go mad without Orange man? Bad.” ([15:16])
  • Harold Ford Jr. acknowledges a branding challenge:

    “If all we do is say that Trump, Trump, Trump is bad, bad, bad, I just don’t know if that alone will win.” ([17:11])

• Republican Challenges:

  • Kayleigh and JJ Jorgensen point out: As Trump defines partisan politics, what will the right stand for post-Trump? ([21:31], [22:53])

• Polling & Divides:

  • Kayleigh cites NBC poll: GOP leads on border security (+27), crime (+22), immigration (+8), and even on the economy ([18:55]).
  • Discussion of Democrats’ struggles to unite around issues like Medicare-for-All and Israel ([20:20]).
  • Dana notes high Democrat voter enthusiasm and uncertainty if anti-Trump messaging alone can win the House ([20:52]).

5. Women’s Sports & Biological Sex Controversies

Key Event: Utah volleyball star Kaylee Ray testifies for women’s sports protections after being forced to forfeit a match against a team with a biological male ([24:46]).

• Political Firestorm:
  • Sen. Catherine Miranda (D-AZ), suggests female athletes should “suck it up,” drawing rebuke from the panel for condescension and endangering young women ([25:15], [27:47]).
  • Kayleigh McEnany:

    “It is shameful...pretty convenient to sit there being 61 years old, telling this to a young woman who has poured her heart into this.” ([27:47])

  • Greg Gutfeld lambasts Miranda’s logic, calling her “a full on coward,” and mocks the pivot from denying to embracing male participation in women’s sports ([29:01]).

6. Oscars & Cultural Commentary

Theme: Disappointment in Hollywood’s shift from substantive, patriotic films to political grandstanding.

• Oscars described as “boring, woke, and painfully predictable” by Kayleigh ([33:33]).
• Greg Gutfeld:

  “This is basically the Indianapolis 500 for women and gays... to see car crashes. Like, who has bad Botox?” ([34:45])

• Discussion of the lack of quality, “real” films about war or American stories in favor of surface-level activism ([35:33]).

7. Dress Codes & Traditional Values

• Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse implements a strict dress code, sparking panel banter about formality and respect ([37:31]).
• Varied reactions: From Greg’s humor (“I only want to see meat on my plate.” [38:00]) to JJ Jorgensen’s endorsement of respectful dressing for public spaces ([38:39]).

8. Personal Notes, Tributes, and Uplifting News

• Kayleigh honors fallen U.S. servicemembers, sharing the stories of those lost in Iran, and commending the courage of the newly-diagnosed breast cancer patient Susie Wiles ([06:57], [42:23]).
• Dana and panel celebrate U.S. Paralympic and Olympic hockey team victories ([41:15]).
• Announcements about small business awards and other feel-good segments round out the episode ([40:50], [41:42]).

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Trump on Coalition-Building and Strikes:
  “We attacked Cog island and knocked it, knocked it literally destroyed everything on the island except for the area where the oil is. I call it the pipes. We left the pipes.” ([01:54])

• JJ Jorgensen on Democratic Criticism:
  “If you didn’t have any criticism...over [Afghanistan], but you are now on an offensive operation where 13 souls have died... then you’re intellectually dishonest.” ([05:26])

• Greg Gutfeld on Partisan Identity:
  “Will the left go mad without Orange man? Bad. According to Axios...They’re not sure what they’ll stand for.” ([15:16])

• Kayleigh McEnany on Women’s Sports:
  “When you are a current athlete, you won’t put up with this. You won’t take it. But the 61 year old can lecture the young woman. It is shameful.” ([27:47])

• Greg Gutfeld’s Humorous Jab:
  “This is basically the Indianapolis 500 for women and gays... you tune in for this Oscar race. So you can see the car crashes. Like, who has bad Botox was a mad.” ([34:45])

Important Timestamps

• [01:22] Trump asserts that victory in Iran will result in a safer world.
• [03:00] Trump derides questions about the new Iranian leader’s health and authority.
• [05:02–06:34] JJ Jorgensen’s passionate critique of Democratic criticism regarding military deaths.
• [08:48] Harold Ford Jr. on war status and strategic questions.
• [11:49] Gutfeld launches satirical take on Iranian leadership rumors.
• [15:16–20:51] Extended panel discussion on Democratic identity, polling, and Trump’s influence.
• [24:46–32:40] Women’s sports and biological sex debate, with reactions to Sen. Miranda’s comments.
• [33:33–36:55] Panel critiques Oscars, Hollywood politics, and the shift in movie themes.
• [37:31–38:59] Dress code debate: tradition versus comfort.

Conclusion

This episode weaves current military action, partisan debate, and culture war clashes into a robust, opinionated roundtable. The panel balances humor and serious critique, drawing clear contrasts between Trump-era decisiveness, liberal interpretations, and longstanding tensions around American values, identity politics, and cultural institutions. Those who missed the episode will find it a compelling snapshot of how "The Five" dissects—and sparringly debates—the hottest issues dominating headlines and dinner tables alike.