Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: Trump On Iran War: “On A Scale Of 10…About A 15”
Date: March 4, 2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Five" focuses heavily on the ongoing U.S.-led military operation against Iran, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury." The panelists break down the latest updates on the conflict, President Trump’s leadership and strategies, the involvement of Kurdish forces, and the domestic and international political fallout. They also cover heated debates within U.S. politics about the war, prominent Democratic primary results in Texas, and a Medicaid fraud scandal in Minnesota. The episode is lively, fast-paced, and often combative, reflecting the show's trademark style.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. State of the Iran Conflict & Operation Epic Fury

• Trump's Stance and American Military Power

  • Trump quoted: "On a scale of 10, where would you rate it? I said about a 15." (00:23)
  • U.S. is conducting intense aerial bombardments, utilizing AI, laser weapons, and advanced targeting.
  • Panelists describe the operation as overwhelmingly successful so far; “death and destruction from the sky… Our rules of engagement are bold… We are punching them while they’re down, which is exactly how it should be.” – Jesse Watters (00:52)

• Kurds’ Role and Long-Term Implications

  • Discussion of Kurdish ground involvement; their alliance with the U.S., and the lack of consistent American support:
    • “The Kurds are like a military booty call. They're just always up. You call them up, they come over, they do your job.” – Greg Gutfeld (02:43)
    • Uncertainty about how sustainable the current strategy is without “boots on the ground.”
  • Dana Perino notes the durability of the Kurdish alliance but cautions about America's on-and-off commitment (03:05).

• Technological and Strategic Advances

  • Use of B-52s, AI, and lasers is emphasized as evidence that "this probably officially marks the beginning of 21st century warfare." – Jesse Watters (05:04)
  • High attrition among Iranian leadership, significant reduction of Iranian missile launches (“from 80 a day to now 20 a day”). (05:45)

2. Skepticism and Critique of U.S. Policy

• Jessica Tarloff’s Critical Perspective

  • Raises concerns about the war's objectives, costs, and the potential for mission creep:
    • “We are burning through a billion dollars a day. We are spending $4 million missiles to take out $20,000 drones. That is a problem.” (09:19)
  • Questions analogies to Venezuela, warns cutting off Iranian theocracy won’t yield easy regime change due to religious radicalism (08:15).

• Process vs. Outcome; War Endgames

  • Kennedy voices fear of an open-ended conflict, referencing the lack of a “clear terminus”:
    • “What worries me is this war doesn't really have a clear terminus… these things can go on and on and on. My worry is not only the gold star families that are being created… but also the men and women who serve who will go home with injuries seen and unseen, and then they will be failed by their government.” (11:21)
  • Greg Gutfeld and Dana Perino acknowledge the importance of supporting troops post-conflict, yet separate that issue from the immediate military strategy (12:08).

3. Political Fallout in Washington

• Democratic Criticism of Trump’s Strategy

  • Senate fails to pass the War Powers Resolution to limit Trump’s actions; Democrats accuse the administration of waging an “illegal war.”
    • “Trump administration has no plan in Iran.” – Dana Perino (13:47)
    • "This illegal war is based on lies." – Jessica Tarloff (13:50)
    • “This isn’t a war for America. This is Trump’s war.” – Greg Gutfeld (14:05)

• Shifting Attitudes Toward Israel

  • Gavin Newsom, aiming for the 2028 nomination, toughens stance on Israel; party's sympathy increasingly with Palestinians (14:58).

• The War Powers Act Debate

  • Gutfeld ridicules the War Powers Act, comparing it to an ineffective nag:
    • “The War Powers act is just a wife that wants to register a complaint. You just don’t do it… Trump built a bank of trust, so now it’s time to rely on it. Probably the most peaceful president in his first term that we’ve ever seen.” (21:45)

4. Texas Democratic Senate Primary

• Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico
  • Talarico defeats Crockett; allegations of Republican interference in Dallas voting.
    • “She wasn’t being a crybaby… The GOP did change the rules about where you go to vote… So a number of people were turned away.” – Jessica Tarloff (30:27)
  • Talarico’s far-left stances (“God is non-binary”, “trans community needs abortion care”) are ridiculed by the panel; concerns about electoral viability in Texas (28:09).
  • “He’s like the white Crockett.” – Jesse Watters (28:09)
• Democratic Turnout Surge
  • Tarloff points to strong Democratic turnout, demographic shifts, and “dummy mander” redistricting as proof of growing Democratic competitiveness in Texas and elsewhere (31:13).

5. Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Scandal

• Fraud Allegations and Political Grandstanding
  • $9 billion in fraud under Minnesota’s Democratic administration; Governor Tim Walz and AG Keith Ellison grilled in Congress.
  • Panel debates whether hearings reveal facts or just encourage grandstanding.
    • “We don’t need a sermon about the facts. We need them to address the facts… If you keep cutting them off… you’re gonna make them look like the victims.” – Greg Gutfeld (34:07)
  • Dana Perino and Jessica Tarloff argue about the effectiveness and optics of the hearings (35:35).

6. Kurdish Offensive in Iran – Breaking News

• Live Report from Turkey
  • Thousands of Kurds conducting a ground offensive into Iran; U.S. and Israeli involvement in disrupting regime security infrastructure.
  • “Police stations and paramilitary bases are being struck. The Kurds are only the majority in one small portion of Iran, if they were better armed and would act up, that would be one more distraction for the tottering regime to deal with.” – Greg Palkot via Jessica Tarloff (37:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump’s Rating of the War Effort:
  • “On a scale of 10… About a 15.” – President Trump via Greg Gutfeld (00:23)
• Jesse Watters on American Military Might:
  • “Our rules of engagement are bold, precise, and designed to unleash American power, not shackle it.” (00:52)
• Kennedy’s War Caution:
  • “What worries me is this war doesn't really have a clear terminus.” (11:21)
• Greg Gutfeld’s Critique of War Powers Act:
  • “The War Powers act is just a wife that wants to register a complaint.” (21:45)
• Jessica Tarloff on War Costs:
  • “We are burning through a billion dollars a day. We are spending $4 million missiles to take out $20,000 drones.” (09:19)
• Greg Gutfeld on the Democratic Primary:
  • “Did you know this, that Ms. Crockett is 44 years old? I thought that she was, like, in her early 30s because she's so stupid… She's been actively avoiding wisdom, which is harder than learning.” (28:29)
• Panel on Talarico’s Positions:
  • “Our trans community needs abortion care. God is non binary. Jesus was a radical feminist…” – Dana Perino (28:09)
• Jesse Watters on Strategic Chokepoints:
  • “We control the Strait of Hormuz, straight of Gibraltar, Suez, Malacca Straits, Panama Canal, every single global choke point in the entire world.” (17:42)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Trump’s “15 out of 10” war rating: 00:23
• US military strategy and Kurds’ role: 02:43–04:35
• Technological advances in warfare: 05:04–05:45
• Jessica critiques war rationale/costs: 07:17–09:40
• Kennedy’s warning on endless war: 11:21–12:08
• Senate War Powers Resolution fails: 13:21
• Dems accuse Trump of “illegal war”: 13:47–14:05
• Gavin Newsom pivots on Israel: 14:58–16:34
• War Powers Act debate: 21:45–24:23
• Jasmine Crockett vs. Talarico drama: 26:03–33:01
• Minnesota Medicaid fraud hearings: 33:23–36:43
• Breaking news: Kurdish offensive: 36:55–38:03

Final Thoughts

The episode captures a moment of high tension, both on the battlefield and in American politics. The panel celebrates the military’s swift action but diverges over how sustainable or wise the current approach is, with Jessica Tarloff and Kennedy raising pointed concerns about cost, mission scope, and troop well-being. The tone veers from triumphal to skeptical, with sharp barbs and sardonic humor throughout. Beyond Iran, the group dives into primary politics, fraud scandals, and broader cultural critiques, packing the episode with opinionated analysis and colorful commentary in classic “The Five” style.