Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: U.S.A Hockey Team Wins Gold At The Olympics
Date: February 24, 2026
Panel: Dana Perino, Emily Compagno, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Watters, Greg Gutfeld

Episode Overview

This episode of The Five centers on the dramatic and triumphant U.S. Men's Hockey Team win over Canada to clinch the Olympic gold medal—46 years after the “Miracle on Ice.” The panel recaps the action, the significance for American pride, reactions (from joy to controversy), and the broader political and media responses. The conversation later expands to breaking national stories, including political gaffes, Mexican cartel violence, and local government oddities. The tones range from patriotic exuberance to sharp satire and pointed debate.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. U.S. Men's Hockey Team Wins Olympic Gold

(00:19–07:07)

• Recount of the Golden Goal:
  Jesse Watters and Dana Perino excitedly describe Jack Hughes' overtime-winning goal, his resilience (losing teeth in the process), and the emotional post-game interview.

  • Quote (Jack Hughes):

    “This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. I love my teammates... The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong... I’m so proud to be American today. That’s just a ballsy, gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there.” (00:54)

• Patriotic Emphasis and Controversy:
  Dana highlights the pride and unity, but also notes left-wing media criticism (HuffPost headline about discomfort with “USA” chants).

  • Discussion on the FBI Director celebrating with the team and President Trump inviting them to the State of the Union.
    • Quote:

      “Apparently not everyone was feeling the red, white, and blue. The liberal outlet HuffPost putting out this headline: ‘If waving the American flag or chanting USA turns you off right now, you’re not alone.’” — Dana (01:20)

• Jesse’s Take:
  He describes the game as a unifying moment for America, sharply criticizing the left for politicizing it the next day.

  • Quote:

    “One of the greatest moments in American sports history... I wake up and the left is just dumping all over the game. This is why we can’t stand you.” — Jesse (02:19)

• Team Effort and Personal Connections:
  Emily Compagno praises the blood, sweat, and team spirit, highlighting contributions from multiple players, especially the Hughes brothers.

  • Quote:

    “This exemplified blood, sweat and tears... Getting faces bashed in and teeth on the ice. Literal blood, literal sweat, and then the tears... That was an incredible team effort.” — Emily (05:15)

• Jessica and Backlash:
  Jessica Tarlov brings nuance, emphasizing pride in both men’s and women’s teams and highlighting the quick pivot to politics—especially after President Trump's call where he jokes about inviting the women due to fear of impeachment.

2. Olympic Politics, Social Media Backlash, and the Women's Team

(07:09–10:14)

• President Trump's Phone Call Flap:
  Jessica and Emily discuss Trump's on-air joke about inviting the women’s team for “impeachment” reasons, calling it inappropriate, given both teams’ accomplishments.

  • Quote:

    “President Trump said, ‘I also have to invite the women because I’ll get impeached. It’s not funny. It’s disgusting.’” — Jessica (08:34)

• The “Beer in the Locker Room” Controversy:
  Jessica raises issues about the FBI director’s celebration and taxpayer anger over government-funded travel.

  • Quote:

    “It is not normal for the FBI director to be pounding beers in the locker room like that. He’s also a person who has been out there criticizing...” (08:44)

  • Others (esp. Jesse and Greg) mock these concerns as overblown.

• Patriotism Debate:
  Greg Gutfeld and Jesse assert the left can’t celebrate national triumphs without injecting politics, but the right is willing to celebrate any athlete, “woke” or traditionally patriotic, for their achievements.

  • Quote:

    “Their response reveals that they can’t celebrate a person unless they are... on their political side. But we can, we can. We don’t care.” — Greg (12:11)

3. AOC’s Foreign Policy Gaffe & Gavin Newsom's “Stupid Signaling”

(14:18–22:29)

• AOC's Viral Video:
  Panel discusses Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s awkward defense of a foreign policy misstep, complete with snoring in the background (thought to be her Frenchie dog).

  • Quote:

    “Who is the audience for this? Why does she think they care?” — Dana (18:35)

  • Greg jokes about the snoring:

    “It’s like rhythmic farting. That little dog. It’s amazing.” (16:13)

• Gavin Newsom’s SAT Line in Atlanta:
  Newsom’s attempt to relate by citing his low SAT score is lampooned as pandering and “stupid signaling.”

  • Quote:

    “His strategy is, ‘I’m just like you. I’m stupid.’ And this is his way of subverting his reputation as a silver-spooned elitist. But it says something worse.” — Greg (17:02)

  • Further speculation about who his audience really was and whether he’s effective with minority voters.

• Disability as a Political Tool:
  Discussion over Newsom’s repeated references to dyslexia. Jessica notes he similarly frames challenges in memoirs and speeches.

  • Quote:

    “It is not going to deter people... to try to go with Gavin Newsom as a big racist. That's just not going to resonate.” — Jessica (23:22)

4. Violence in Mexico: Cartel Kingpin Taken Down

(26:07–31:46)

• News on “El Mencho”:
  The killing of the notorious cartel boss brings both relief and fear as cartels retaliate.

  • Jessica and Emily highlight collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico, as well as the underlying risks to tourists and issues with cartel-government entanglement.
    • Quote:

      “If you think there’s a separation between the Mexican government and the cartels, then you are a fool. Not you. I just mean in general.” — Emily (28:46)

• Security Concerns:
  Jessica points out heightened worries ahead of the World Cup in Guadalajara.

  • Jesse quips about what happens to cartel bosses visiting mistresses, and jokes about U.S. intelligence being key in the operation.

5. New York: Shoveling Snow Requires More ID Than Voting

(32:08–34:45)

• Bureaucratic Irony:
  The panel laughs at New York City’s requirement for multiple forms of ID to become a snow shoveler while decrying voting ID laws.

  • Quote:

    “It’s just so obviously funny... how ridiculous it sounds to need two forms of ID to shovel, but not to vote.” — Dana (32:32)

  • Greg notes how bureaucracy invents hurdles and jokes about using it as an excuse to avoid work.

• Social Commentary:
  Emily and Jessica riff on the unintended consequences for women and minorities and mock the flawed, overregulated system.

6. Did President Trump Prank Call C-SPAN?

(35:32–38:09)

• Speculation:
  C-SPAN is forced to deny rumors that Trump called in as “John Baron.” The panel enjoys the concept, joking about prank calls and celebrity impressions.
  • Quote:

    “I wanted it to be real, because I was like, that would be so funny if it was real.” — Dana (37:19)

  • Greg on crank calls:

    “This is the only way we can do it now, cuz everybody has cell phones.” (36:55)

7. Lighter Moments & “One More Thing”

(38:51–41:10)

• Jokes and News Oddities:
  – Greg presents a walrus video as “Governor Pritzker exercising.”
  – Jesse spotlights international traditions for Lent and conspiracy theories about flat earth.
  – Dana shares fun American history facts (the Blizzard of 1888).
  – Jessica provides a visual of a giraffe and ostrich “stare down,” comparing it to post-show banter.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Patriotism in the Victory:

  “That’s a great Canadian team, but we’re USA. We’re so proud to be Americans. Tonight was all for the country.” — Jack Hughes (00:54)

• National Unity vs. Political Cynicism:

  “It was just a great unifying moment for the country... And the left is just dumping all over the game. This is why we can’t stand you.” — Jesse (02:19)

• On the Left’s Response to American Triumph:

  “They can’t celebrate a person unless they are... on their political side. But we can, we can. We don’t care.” — Greg (12:11)

• Bureaucratic Nonsense:

  “So obviously funny... need two forms of ID to shovel but not to vote!” — Dana (32:32)

• Political Pandering:

  “His strategy is, I’m just like you. I’m stupid.” — Greg (17:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Hockey Win & Reaction: 00:19–07:07
• Political Spin on Olympics: 07:09–10:14
• AOC/Gavin Newsom Discussion: 14:18–22:29
• Mexico Cartel News: 26:07–31:46
• ID Law Ridicule: 32:08–34:45
• Trump Prank Call Segment: 35:32–38:09
• “One More Thing”/Lighter Moments: 38:51–41:10

Takeaways

• The U.S. Olympic hockey win is celebrated as not just a sports triumph but a testament to American resilience and unity.
• Even national celebrations get caught in cycles of political sniping—some see patriotism as exclusionary, others as unifying.
• Panelists oscillate between earnest pride and caustic satire when discussing media, political leaders, and policy.
• Issues ranging from border security to local bureaucratic absurdities receive The Five’s trademark blend of humor, indignation, and political critique.
• Ultimately, victory on the ice became a prism through which to view—and debate—the state of American culture and politics.

This summary provides a comprehensive guide to the episode, capturing its energy, main points, and memorable lines for anyone who missed the broadcast.