The Five – "Woke Words"
FOX News Podcasts | August 22, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, the panel dives into the backlash surrounding so-called "woke" language and branding, Democratic messaging struggles, the John Bolton FBI raid, Trump’s intervention in crime-ridden cities, and the Cracker Barrel rebrand. The conversation is a mix of humor, debate, and political analysis featuring Trina Brief, Jesse Watters, Katie Pavlich, Jessica Tarlov, and Greg Gutfeld.
Main Topics & Key Discussion Points
1. The “Woke Words” Debate and Democratic Messaging (00:57–12:17)
- Trigger: A center-left think tank recommends that Democrats stop using 45 certain "woke" words and phrases (e.g., “privilege,” “microaggression”).
- Panel’s Take:
- Authenticity vs. Jargon: Multiple panelists argue Democrats’ language alienates average voters; Republicans’ directness is presented as a virtue (06:04–06:23).
- Jessica Tarlov: Draws the line between “fighters and cavers” in both parties, praising authentic, bold politicians (02:27).
“It’s not necessarily left versus center, it’s fight versus cave... the people who fight get support and the people who cave... cannot break through.” – Jessica Tarlov (02:27)
- Nazi Comparisons: Panel decries routine Nazi analogies in left-wing rhetoric and suggests banning this hyperbole alongside “woke” words (03:53).
“Maybe that should be one of [the banned words]: not doing the Nazi references.” – Katie Pavlich (03:53)
- Alienating Voters: Katie Pavlich discusses how using terms like "Latinx" has pushed traditional voters away (04:07).
- Language & Academia: Greg Gutfeld argues jargon is a smokescreen for failed policies and traces these terms back to academia and therapy speak (08:21–09:53).
“Good ideas don’t require jargon. If you’re using words like these, it’s because your ideas don’t work.” – Greg Gutfeld (08:21)
- Republican Communication Style:
- Jesse Watters: Mocks artificial Democratic speech, suggesting only intellectual elites talk that way (06:23–07:27).
- On Policy Over Rhetoric: Jessica Tarlov agrees policy results matter more than words (11:10).
2. FBI Raid on John Bolton: Politicization or Accountability? (14:02–21:44)
- News: FBI raids the home and office of former National Security Adviser John Bolton, reportedly seeking classified documents.
- Trump’s Reaction:
“I thought he was a sleazebag... But... I know the feeling [of a raid]. It’s not a good feeling.” – Donald Trump (14:20)
- Panel Analysis:
- Double Standards: Parallels drawn between reactions to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago raid and this one (16:05).
- Political Motivation?: Some panelists argue the raid is not purely about documents; Jesse Watters hints at “something pretty gnarly” (17:18).
- Weaponization Allegations:
- Jessica Tarlov pushes back, arguing the DOJ wasn’t weaponized under Biden, citing Garland’s slow approach (19:10).
- Greg Gutfeld and Jesse Watters counter, decrying “lawfare” tactics and warning Democrats are now facing the kind of reprisals they pioneered (20:01–21:44).
“Don’t lecture me on timing of lawfare... You guys invented this stuff.” – Greg Gutfeld (20:01)
3. Trump’s Crime Crackdown in D.C. and Urban Policy (22:58–30:48)
- Trump’s Boast: Claims credit for reducing D.C. crime, links governance to “real world skills” like grass maintenance (23:15, 24:03).
“I know more about grass than any human being... anywhere in the world.” – Donald Trump (24:03)
- Republican Practicality vs. Democratic Platitudes:
- Greg Gutfeld draws contrast between “builders” like Trump and career politicians, emphasizing practical knowledge over “platitudes, rhetoric, woke terminology” (24:16).
- Federal Intervention in Cities:
- Debate over Trump’s federal involvement in D.C. and potential for other cities like Chicago.
- Local vs. Federal Control: Jessica Tarlov objects to federal “takeover” of cities; Gutfeld and Pavlich argue locals have failed (27:37, 28:54).
- Crime Policy as Political Weapon: Pavlich argues that embracing Trump’s help would “disarm” Republican crime arguments (28:54).
“If Democrats were smart, they would take Trump up on his offer... to stop the crime because it completely disarms the political argument for the midterms.” – Katie Pavlich (28:54)
4. Cracker Barrel’s Controversial Rebrand (31:30–37:09)
- Issue: Cracker Barrel’s management changes its logo and redesigns stores, sparking backlash; stock drops nearly $100 million.
- Reactions:
- Nostalgia & Brand Identity: Panelists lament the loss of traditional, “rustic” branding; implications for corporate America discussed (32:08–34:59).
“It looks like they Bud Lighted themselves.” – Jesse Watters (32:08)
- Corporate Sensitivity: Gutfeld criticizes corporations for prioritizing social media appeasement over customer loyalty (35:09–36:57).
“Changing your logos does not increase your customer base, but it will decrease it.” – Greg Gutfeld (35:09)
- Nostalgia & Brand Identity: Panelists lament the loss of traditional, “rustic” branding; implications for corporate America discussed (32:08–34:59).
- Cultural Commentary: Jokes about DEI, consultants, and the “shabby chic” trend (36:57–37:03).
- Trina Brief sums up: “Cracker Barrel is a national treasure, which should not be messed with.” (33:36)
5. Pop Culture & Lighter Moments (37:27–end)
- Fun Roundtable: Debates about the best decade for movies and music (80s, 90s, early 2000s) (37:48–39:04).
- Personal Tidbits: Greg’s hand injury anecdote, prairie dog video joke, and Air Guitar Championships (39:23–41:22).
- Uplifting Segment: Emotional story of two Vietnam veterans reuniting after 54 years (42:20).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Democratic Messaging:
“They paid a guy a million dollars to tell them to talk like Republicans. What kind of Democrat needs a memo to know how to talk and not sound like a moron?”
— Jesse Watters (06:23) -
On Jargon and Policy:
“Good ideas don’t require jargon. If you’re using words like these, it’s because your ideas don’t work.”
— Greg Gutfeld (08:21) -
On Nazi Comparisons in Rhetoric:
“Maybe that should be one of [the banned words]: not doing the Nazi references.”
— Katie Pavlich (03:53) -
On Crime & Federal Involvement:
“If Democrats were smart, they would take Trump up on his offer... to stop the crime because it completely disarms the political argument for the midterms.”
— Katie Pavlich (28:54) -
On Cracker Barrel’s Branding:
“It looks like they Bud Lighted themselves.”
— Jesse Watters (32:08) “Cracker Barrel is a national treasure, which should not be messed with.”
— Trina Brief (33:36) -
On Corporate Branding Trends:
“Changing your logos does not increase your customer base, but it will decrease it... corporations are rich enough to do it... They’ll toss their customer base... to save themselves from the insults online.”
— Greg Gutfeld (35:09–36:57)
Section Timestamps
- Woke Words & Democratic Messaging: 00:57–12:17
- FBI Raid on John Bolton: 14:02–21:44
- D.C. Crime Crackdown: 22:58–30:48
- Cracker Barrel Rebrand: 31:30–37:09
- Lighter Segments & Pop Culture: 37:27–end
Episode Tone & Takeaways
The episode is fast-paced, irreverent, and laced with sarcasm and playful jabs at both political parties and corporate America. The panel’s overall position is skeptical of academic/“woke” language, supportive of plain talk, and critical of Democratic leadership in cities and branding missteps.
For those who missed the episode, this summary covers the critical themes: the backlash against “woke” terminology; debates over the politicization of law enforcement; the use of tough-on-crime policy as a political tool; and anxieties about corporate America losing touch with traditional customers.