"Very Complete" — The Five (FOX News Podcasts)

Episode Date: March 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of FOX News' "The Five" dives into the most urgent headlines and controversies dominating national conversation. The panel analyzes dramatic developments in the US-led Operation Epic Fury against Iran, the political fallout at home, media coverage and framing of domestic terror incidents, Democratic Party challenges, and societal shifts around technology and hiring. Notably, the episode features President Trump’s live remarks on military progress, spirited debate over gas prices and energy, and unfiltered panel exchanges on terrorism, assimilation, and US politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Operation Epic Fury and US-Iran Relations

• President Trump's Remarks & Progress Updates
  • Trump emphasizes significant progress in Operation Epic Fury, asserting that Iran's military capacity is "very complete, pretty much" destroyed, with its navy, communications, and air force decimated ([00:16], [38:45]).
  • Trump boasts of being far ahead of initial timeframes; claims over 5,000 Iranian targets have been struck and that Iranian missile and drone capabilities have dropped by up to 90% ([38:45], [44:00]).
  • He notes the regime's leadership has been "wiped out numerous times" but clarifies that the US is not seeking open-ended regime change, only to "neutralize a bully" ([09:01], [38:45]).
• Panel Reactions
  • Jesse Watters: "Has the regime collapsed yet? No. And that was part of the strategy going in...But they are losing the war very badly." ([03:06])
  • Greg Gutfeld draws a comparison between Trump's approach to Iran and confronting a long-standing bully, emphasizing deterrence over regime change ([09:01]).
  • Kennedy and Harold Ford, Jr. highlight the unpredictability of outcomes, the possibility of escalation, and broader implications for global oil markets.

Notable Quote

• Trump: "We've wiped every single force in Iran out very completely. Most of Iran's naval power has been sunk. It's on the bottom of the sea." ([38:45])

2. Economic and Energy Fallout

• Oil Prices & Global Markets
  • Discussion about Iran pivoting to an economic war by attacking oil infrastructure and closing the Strait, impacting global oil prices. US efforts to stabilize energy markets include potential European reserve releases ([03:06]).
  • Panels discuss the shift in political blame about gas prices and how Democrats previously labeled high prices as "Putin's fault" ([07:16]).

Notable Quote

• Kennedy: "There was nothing wrong with it...high gas prices were great for ultra progressives because it just allowed them to force their green agenda down the country’s throat." ([07:31])

3. The Terror Plot in New York City

• ISIS-Inspired Attack Near Gracie Mansion
  • Two Pennsylvania men face federal charges for attempting an ISIS-inspired bombing amidst dueling protests in NYC. One suspect allegedly aimed for a “bigger body count than the Boston Marathon bombing” ([12:22]–[12:30]).
  • Controversy over Mayor Zoran Mamdani downplaying the ISIS angle, focusing instead on white supremacy, before later clarifying ([13:14]).
• Media Critique
  • Kennedy and others highlight the media’s reluctance to explicitly name radical Islamic terrorism and how initial headlines framed the attack primarily as a violent outgrowth of anti-Islam protests ([13:49]–[14:48]).
  • Several hosts (notably Jesse and Greg) assert that media coverage encourages terrorists seeking notoriety and bemoan the lack of forthrightness in political leadership.

Notable Quotes

• Greg Gutfeld: “We can decapitate Iran...and we can’t rub out two parasites on the street who just tried to kill a bunch of people…That might actually save more lives by sending a message that we will shoot you on sight instead.” ([20:36])
• Harold Ford Jr.: "We have to be willing to step back...and figure out what we’re doing well and what we’re not doing well...we as New Yorkers...have to be even better than the best that we’ve been." ([14:49])

4. Domestic Political Dynamics

• Democratic Party in Disarray
  • NBC poll: Only 30% of voters view the Democratic Party positively, lower than even ICE or AI ([23:30]).
  • Criticism of party leadership (Ken Martin), DNC division, and lack of post-2024 election strategy ([23:30]).
  • Mockery of Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders for vague, substance-free messaging ([24:19]).

Notable Quotes

• Dana Perino: "They have time...to try to pull it together and maybe they will, but that poll is not good for them." ([25:00])

• Greg Gutfeld: "[Trump is] extremely normal in his normalcy...the most centrist president we’ve had since maybe Gerald Ford." ([25:49])

• Panel Debates: Trump’s Political Identity

  • Greg and Harold Ford Jr. debate whether Trump is centrist or transformational, with Ford citing Bill Clinton’s mainstream policies by comparison ([27:47]).
  • Panel points out both parties need real answers to daily economic and security anxieties, not just anti-Trump or anti-Democrat posturing.

5. Islam, Assimilation, & “Suicidal Empathy”

• Panel Tension on Islamic Radicalism and Assimilation
  • Greg Gutfeld ignites a heated exchange about whether "an overwhelming amount of terrorists are Muslim," calling for honest acknowledgment of this pattern ([22:00]).
  • Harold Ford, Jr. and others urge religious nuance, noting adherents often don't represent the extremes.
  • Greg laments lack of assimilation expectations, warning about the dangers of what he terms “suicidal empathy” — sacrificing security for the appearance of tolerance ([18:59], [19:49]).

Memorable Exchange

• Greg Gutfeld: “We forfeited the expectation of assimilation…all for the sake of appearing tolerant. This is what you get, suicidal empathy. We extend our hand; they want to chop it off.” ([19:49])

6. AI, Technology, and Hiring Trends

• The End of the Résumé?
  • AI-driven applications and screening are growing, leading companies to emphasize communication and real-world interaction over credentials ([36:11]).
  • Dana Perino suggests young job seekers focus on personal networking and building “actual, human” connections ([37:51]).

Notable Quote

• Dana Perino: “You have to meet people. You have to put out your hand, firm handshake...You have to actually be a human.” ([37:51])

7. James Carville, Trump Derangement, and Political Satire

• Carville’s Performance Parodied
  • Panel riffs on James Carville’s confessed Trump Derangement Syndrome, lampooning his rhetoric and questioning Democrats’ lack of clear messaging ([31:25]).
  • Lighthearted, mocking banter about Bruce Springsteen’s ticket prices and generational divides within American politics ([32:18]–[34:21]).

Notable Quotes

• James Carville (impersonated): “I want to get worse. I want to hate him more. I pray to God in heaven, God reign the righteous reign of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Pray for me, Lord.” ([31:31])
• Kennedy: “He has lost his mind. His prayers have been answered and he is truly deranged. Well done.” ([33:54])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Greg Gutfeld on regime change: “You got a job and your boss can kill you at any minute. It’s a lot like working here.” ([09:01])
• On assimilation: “We no longer even...expect it. And we’re too scared to reject their anti-American positions, all for the sake of appearing tolerant. This is what you get, suicidal empathy.” ([19:49])
• On Springsteen’s Ticket Prices: “You get…How dare you get a meet and greet with me for three grand?” ([34:48])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Highlight | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:16 | Trump CBS phone interview—"very complete" war status | | 03:06 | Jesse: Iran's military collapse and economic war | | 07:31 | Kennedy: Democrats' shifting position on gas prices and war | | 09:01 | Gutfeld: Regime change vs. neutralizing Iran's bullying | | 12:22 | News on ISIS-inspired bombing attempt in NYC | | 14:48 | Media’s portrayal of domestic terrorism; mayor’s response | | 19:49 | Gutfeld: “Suicidal empathy,” assimilation, and media bias | | 22:00 | Greg & Harold debate Islam, terrorism, and mainstream faiths | | 23:30 | Democratic Party poll ratings, leadership troubles | | 24:19 | Gavin Newsom’s rambling answers; Democrats' identity crisis | | 25:49 | Gutfeld: Trump’s political “normalcy” and centrism | | 31:25 | Carville’s “Trump Derangement Syndrome” monologue | | 34:48 | Banter on celebrity ticket prices, class fractures | | 36:11 | Discussion of AI’s impact on résumés and job markets | | 38:45 | Trump’s live press conference on Operation Epic Fury progress |

Panel Members (for Attribution)

• Dana Perino (A)
• Kennedy (E)
• Harold Ford, Jr. (C)
• Jesse Watters (D)
• Greg Gutfeld (F)
• (President Trump featured via remarks and soundbites)

Episode Takeaways

“The Five” continues to combine hot takes, argument, and banter around pressing political and cultural news. This episode is especially significant for its timely look at military developments with Iran, US domestic reactions, and evolving divides within both American political parties and broader civil society. The hosts’ personalities and unfiltered style drive home critical and controversial messages, ensuring engaged—and occasionally provoked—listeners.

This summary skips all promotional, ad, and non-content sections as instructed.