The Five – "Trump Rocks Affordability Rally In Pennsylvania"

FOX News Podcasts | December 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers around Donald Trump's campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where affordability and the economy take center stage. The hosts dissect the political strategies, rhetoric, and economic promises dominating the current news cycle, and unpack Democrats' and Republicans' contrasting narratives regarding inflation, policy impacts, and political credibility. The panelists—Greg Gutfeld, Brian Kilmeade, Dana Perino, Jessica Tarloff, and Jesse Waters—bring their signature banter and sharp commentary to bear on topics ranging from tariffs and health care to Kamala Harris' political future, foreign policy moves in Latin America, and the perennial "war on Christmas."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Affordability Rally in Pennsylvania

[01:25 – 08:50]

• Trump's Key Messages:

  • Made affordability a top priority: “I have no higher priority than making America affordable again.”
    (Donald Trump, 01:38)
  • Attacked Democrats: “Democrats talking about affordability is like Bonnie and Clyde preaching about public safety.”
    (Donald Trump, 01:39)
  • Touted economic achievements—lower prices, better wages, booming stock market.
  • Classic Trump as he riffed off-script with jabs at "Sleepy Joe," Ilhan Omar, and even the panel's Greg Gutfeld.

• Panel’s Analysis:

  • Dana Perino points out factual discrepancies in Trump’s speech regarding rural hospital closures, emphasizing Trump’s rhetorical style and the importance of understanding “Trump speak”:

    “You have to know Trump speak, and most of the country does… he wasn’t saying affordability is a hoax, he’s saying affordability blamed on him is a hoax…”
    (Dana Perino, 03:38)

  • Panelists agree that Democrats now blaming Trump for economic woes is disingenuous, noting how quickly the narrative shifted post-inauguration.
  • Jessica Tarloff critiques Democratic strategy and messaging, noting attacks on Trump echo their previous avoidance during Biden’s tenure:

    “If he believes that, then…he had to believe it under President Biden as well…Otherwise, I think he sounds like a fool.”
    (Jessica Tarloff, 04:47)

  • Greg Gutfeld and others discuss the two-party system's cyclic nature, highlighting that real voter concerns focus on economic realities, not partisan weaving:

    “What they like more is money in their pockets. And he’s not delivering on that again.”
    (Greg Gutfeld, 08:38)

2. Economic Projections and Policy Debate

[08:50 – 11:55]

• Jesse Waters hails improvements under Trump, forecasting a banner economic year:
  • References “big, beautiful bill” (significant tax and business cuts) and predicts a surge in AI investment and business booms.
  • Skeptical about electoral payoffs:

    “Now, will it be enough to save the Republicans in the midterms? Probably not…But this is a long-term deal.”
    (Jesse Waters, 10:21)

• Dana Perino underscores that the report card will be “how the big beautiful bill performs,” forecasting either a “63 seat shellacking” for the GOP if things go south or dominance “if he begins to surge.”
• Greg Gutfeld flags health care as an unresolved GOP vulnerability.

3. Kamala Harris and Democratic Party Rifts

[13:30 – 20:41]

• Kamala Harris’s Public Image and Political Future:
  • Discussed Kamala Harris’ interview, her upcoming book tour, and her statements about legacy:

    “I am a historic figure like any vice president of the United States ever was.”
    (Kamala Harris, paraphrased by Jesse Waters, 13:40)

  • Greg Gutfeld makes a memorable analogy:

    “Her presence gives off bad vibes for many people. And for a lot of people, they don’t want to be reminded of 2024. It’s like when I smell Parmesan cheese, it reminds me of when I threw up in third grade…”
    (Greg Gutfeld, 16:17)

  • Panelists debate whether Harris has a clear vision and message, with Jessica Tarloff summarizing:

    “Kamala Harris wants to be heard, but it’s not clear what she wants to say.”
    (Jessica Tarloff, quoting reporter Shane Goldmacher, 18:49)

  • Frustration noted on the Dem side about her lack of a mission statement and the impact on future prospects.

4. Foreign Policy: U.S. Moves in Latin America

[22:04 – 31:55]

• Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure & the Caribbean Strike:
  • Trump announces largest-ever seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker, drawing attention back to U.S. actions in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Dana Perino:

    “It’s not that they’re interested. They think they got something as opposed to coming up with a policy to get Maduro out.”
    (Dana Perino, 23:37)

  • Jesse Waters frames this as a major pivot in U.S. foreign policy:

    “We are the biggest superpower of the world…but we don’t do it in our own hemisphere. And as of now, that has changed."
    (Jesse Waters, 28:12)

  • Jessica Tarloff and Greg Gutfeld argue over the strike’s justification and Democratic response.
  • Broader point: U.S. policy in the Americas is now seen as connecting directly to domestic issues—immigration, wages, drugs.

5. Cultural Commentary: The War on Christmas Returns

[32:52 – 37:45]

• David Spade’s Critique and “War on Christmas”:
  • SNL’s David Spade criticizes a mall’s “tree lighting ceremony” for omitting the word “Christmas.” The hosts riff on the shifting tone of holiday discourse.
  • Jesse Waters:

    “We finally have snapped out of it here. And it’s about time…Democrats have admitted they lost the culture war and they just picked the wrong battles.”
    (Jesse Waters, 34:23)

  • Brian Kilmeade:

    “As a human being…next thing you know, you’re at like Ace Hardware and you go, did you see? There ain’t no Christmas that says holidays.”
    (Brian Kilmeade, 36:00)

6. Lighthearted Moments and Banter

• Trump’s “Bathroom Door Gate” on Air Force One:
  • Laughs as Trump is humorously interrupted during a bathroom incident; likening him to “just like us.”
    (25:28 – 26:09)
• Office Party Etiquette:
  • Dana Perino's advice: “One drink only at the office party.”
    (43:03)
• Ziggy the Flirtatious Giraffe:
  • Light segment about a zoo giraffe with “crucial eyelashes” and friendly winks.
    (42:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Rhetoric & Policy:

  “Democrats talking about affordability is like Bonnie and Clyde preaching about public safety.”
  (Donald Trump, 01:39)

• On Democratic Credibility:

  “You guys have no credibility because you never cared about affordability until your guy lost.”
  (Brian Kilmeade, 06:40)

• On the Nature of US Elections:

  “It’s a two party system. People show up to vote and they decide between those two options...What they like more is money in their pockets. And he’s not delivering on that again.”
  (Greg Gutfeld, 07:00 & 08:38)

• On Kamala Harris:

  “Kamala Harris wants to be heard, but it’s not clear what she wants to say.”
  (Jessica Tarloff, 18:49, quoting NYT reporter)

• On Foreign Policy Shift:

  “This is now a goal to dominate Latin America…This is a huge change in American foreign policy.”
  (Jesse Waters, 28:12)

• On the 'War on Christmas':

  “It's so funny…we finally have snapped out of this crazy brain rot we were all suffering from…The Democrats have admitted they lost the culture war and they just picked the wrong battles.”
  (Jesse Waters, 34:23)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Trump’s Affordability Focus & Speech Highlights – [01:25 – 04:36]
• Panel Debates Affordability, Democrats’ Messaging – [04:36 – 08:50]
• Economic Projections and Tax Policy – [08:50 – 11:55]
• Kamala Harris, Book Tour, and Democratic Frustrations – [13:30 – 20:41]
• Seized Oil Tanker & Foreign Policy in Latin America – [22:04 – 31:55]
• ‘War on Christmas’ Cultural Debate – [32:52 – 37:45]
• Trump's Bathroom Door Moment, Lighthearted Banter – [38:07 – 40:15]
• Closing “One More Thing” Features – [41:02 – 43:44]

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a lively, irreverent, and sometimes sardonic tone, typical of "The Five." Panelists interweave facts with jokes, pop culture references, and pointed criticism. The banter is fast-paced, with hosts interrupting and poking fun at one another, but also diving into moments of substantive debate—particularly around economics, health care, and foreign policy.

Summary Takeaway

For listeners, this episode delivers a robust snapshot of current conservative takes on economic policy, Democratic strategy, and cultural issues heading into 2026. As Trump sets his campaign agenda around affordability and both parties gear up for a fresh round of political contests, "The Five" offers both the back-and-forth and the background listeners need to keep up. Key themes are the political narratives around economic accountability, the persistent divides and infighting among Democrats, and the ever-present interplay of policy and personality in American politics.