Podcast Summary: The Five – "TX Lawmakers Blow Off Deadline To Return"

Release Date: August 8, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts

1. Introduction

The episode of The Five, hosted by Shannon Bream alongside Kennedy, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Waters, and guest Mila from The Greg Gutfeld Show, delves into the escalating political tensions surrounding Texas lawmakers who failed to meet a crucial deadline. The panel discusses the broader implications of this action on gerrymandering, political power dynamics, and the future of American politics.

2. Gerrymandering in Texas: Democrats' Absence and Republican Advancements

Shannon Bream kicks off the discussion by addressing the absence of Texas state Democrats from a key House session aimed at approving five new Republican seats. She highlights the Democrats' failure to reach a quorum, citing potential repercussions such as "$500 a day fines, no more direct deposits and the threat of arrest" (01:20).

Kennedy adds, "Those that have fled to Illinois or to California be reminded that the FBI's assistant has reportedly been enlisted and their powers are not confined to any singular state's boundaries" (01:07), emphasizing the nationwide implications of Texas's political maneuvers.

3. Implications for President Trump and Political Power Balance

The panel transitions to discussing how the acquisition of five new Republican seats could bolster President Trump's influence, now marking "200 days in office." Shannon Bream warns, "If we allow the Republicans to get away with what they're attempting to do, this legal insurrection of our US Capitol, then we'll have a generation of redistricted gerrymandered seats that are skewed against Democrats" (02:09).

Harold Ford Jr. expresses deep frustration: "My blood is boiling over this. And so is the other governors, the other Democratic governors" (02:25), highlighting bipartisan concerns over the potential long-term effects on political balance.

4. Discussion on Legality and Consequences of Gerrymandering

Will Cain provides a legal perspective on gerrymandering, acknowledging its legality unless race is a factor: "The only thing you cannot do when you gerrymander is take race into account... We've seen laws upturn over the last three or four years, but this is pretty good law" (08:02). However, he criticizes the mid-decade redistricting in Texas, stating, "If we allow this to happen... they're using the N word, nuclear." (02:46), suggesting it could lead to an unending cycle of retaliatory gerrymandering.

Greg Gutfeld echoes the sentiment, asserting, "This is very dangerous... Democrats have no choice but to respond to this in the same way. If you launch missiles at us, we have to launch missiles at you" (02:37), drawing an analogy to the Cold War and highlighting the heightened tensions.

5. Greg Gutfeld's Appearance on Jimmy Fallon and Related Anecdotes

A lighter segment unfolds as the panel discusses Greg Gutfeld's recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Kennedy shares, "They are looking forward to seeing what happens next with Gutfeld" (16:57), while Gutfeld humorously recounts the encounter:

"I walk into this bar and I'm with my friend Andy... you run towards me and you tackle me like you're like a giant golden retriever" (15:12).

The interaction showcases the camaraderie and good-natured humor among the hosts, providing a break from the intense political discourse.

6. Critique of Democratic Politician Jasmine Crockett

The conversation takes a critical turn towards Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Harold Ford Jr. introduces the topic: "The Democrats rising star Jasmine Crockett is usually known for her exploitive filled tirades against President Trump" (24:38). The panel discusses allegations from former staffers who describe Crockett as a "diva boss," focused more on being an influencer than fulfilling her legislative duties.

Shannon Bream emphasizes, "Donald Trump is a piece of. Okay, we know that" (25:10), while Greg Gutfeld further criticizes Crockett's management style:

"When she does these tirades, she sounds like everyone in a TikTok video saying they're not going to pay for the entire meal at the restaurant because the bread that was brought to the table two hours ago is now cold." (27:29).

7. Broader Reflections on Modern Political Climate

The panel reflects on the current state of American politics, noting a shift towards hyper-partisanship and the influence of social media:

• Will Cain remarks, "We have a day in which the president looks like he's broken another peace agreement between two nations. He's trying. And I happen to think we got to stop coddling this thug Putin" (28:57).

• Harold Ford Jr. adds, "Compromise is not sexy" (29:35), highlighting the challenges in achieving bipartisan solutions.

The discussion underscores a perceived decline in cooperative governance, with both parties entrenched in their positions, further exacerbated by media influence and social media dynamics.

8. Interactive and Humor Segments

Throughout the episode, the panel intersperses serious political analysis with humor and personal anecdotes:

• Greg Gutfeld and Kennedy share humorous stories about animal interactions and personal fears, providing levity to the conversation.

• Shannon Bream narrates a past incident of a turbulent flight, blending humor with personal experiences:

"I hate flying, but I do it every week... I just knew if that plane went down, they'd be like all these people from Fox, Chris Walls and Bret Baer, and some woman named C.H. aaron Green was on the plane." (37:09).

These segments foster a relatable and engaging atmosphere, balancing the intense political debates.

Conclusion

In this episode of The Five, the panel offers a robust discussion on the contentious issue of gerrymandering in Texas, its implications for national politics, and critiques of key Democratic figures. Balancing serious political analysis with humor and personal stories, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of current political tensions and the evolving landscape of American governance.

Key Quotes and Timestamps

• Kennedy: "Those that have fled to Illinois or to California be reminded that the FBI's assistant has reportedly been enlisted and their powers are not confined to any singular state's boundaries." (01:07)

• Shannon Bream: "If we allow the Republicans to get away with what they're attempting to do, this legal insurrection of our US Capitol, then we'll have a generation of redistricted gerrymandered seats that are skewed against Democrats." (02:09)

• Greg Gutfeld: "This is very dangerous... Democrats have no choice but to respond to this in the same way. If you launch missiles at us, we have to launch missiles at you." (02:37)

• Will Cain: "The issue here, and where I differ with my pal Jesse here, is this is midstream... If we allow this to happen, and we must, we should be clear this is happening because President Trump has urged him to do it." (08:02)

• Harold Ford Jr.: "Compromise is not sexy." (29:35)

Timestamps

• 01:07: Kennedy discusses FBI involvement across states.
• 01:20: Shannon Bream on Democrats' absence.
• 02:09: Shannon Bream on legal insurrection.
• 02:37: Greg Gutfeld on Democrats responding dangerously.
• 08:02: Will Cain on legality of gerrymandering.
• 15:12: Greg Gutfeld's anecdote about Jimmy Fallon.
• 24:38: Introduction of Jasmine Crockett criticism.
• 25:10: Shannon Bream on Donald Trump.
• 27:29: Greg Gutfeld's critique of Crockett.
• 28:57: Will Cain on current political climate.
• 29:35: Harold Ford Jr. on compromise in politics.
• 37:09: Shannon Bream's flight experience.
• 39:00: Greg Gutfeld on overcoming fear of flying.

Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to capture the key discussions and sentiments expressed by the panelists.