If you’ve spent any time watching Fox News in the late afternoon, you know the vibe. It’s usually a mix of punchy monologues and lighthearted ribbing. But lately, things have shifted. The jessica tarlov fight with greg gutfeld isn't just a blip on the radar anymore; it has become the focal point of a massive cultural debate about how we talk—or don't talk—to each other.
Honestly, it's intense.
We’re not just talking about a little disagreement over tax policy. These two have been going at it with a level of vitriol that makes you wonder if they even like being in the same zip code. The most recent explosion centered on the tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025. This wasn't just a debate; it was a total meltdown that left viewers stunned and social media in a frenzy.
The "Both Sides" Argument That Set Everything Off
The tension reached a boiling point during a mid-September episode of The Five. The panel was dissecting the details of the Charlie Kirk shooting and the arrest of the suspect, Tyler Robinson. Tarlov, playing her usual role as the lone liberal voice, tried to contextualize the violence. She suggested that political radicalization and violence aren't exclusive to one side of the aisle.
Gutfeld wasn't having it. Not even a little bit.
He shut her down almost instantly, claiming that this specific brand of violence is strictly a leftist phenomenon. When Tarlov brought up the killing of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman from earlier in 2025 as a counter-example, Gutfeld went "nuclear." He basically told her that her "both sides" argument was dead and that nobody cared about it.
👉 See also: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
"Don't play that bulls*** with me," Gutfeld snapped. It was one of those rare moments where the "TV mask" slipped, and you saw real, raw anger. He argued that the "demonization amplification" only happens to conservatives, while Tarlov stood her ground, asking if a victim's life matters less just because they weren't a household name before their death.
Why This Specific Fight Feels Different
Usually, Greg Gutfeld uses humor to deflect or deconstruct liberal arguments. He’s the king of the "snarky aside." But in this jessica tarlov fight with greg gutfeld, the jokes were gone. He was mourning a friend and colleague, which clearly changed the stakes.
Tarlov, for her part, has a tough gig.
She's often described as the "punching bag" or the "token moderate" on the show. But she's been noticeably more assertive lately. She’s not just there to absorb hits; she’s throwing them back. On her podcast Raging Moderates, she’s been open about how aggravating the environment can be. You’ve gotta wonder how much of that frustration is leaking onto the set of The Five.
A Pattern of Escalation
This isn't an isolated incident. If you look back, the seeds were sown a long time ago.
✨ Don't miss: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
- The Holocaust Comments: Back in 2023, Gutfeld made comments about Jewish people "developing skills" in concentration camps to survive. Tarlov, who is Jewish, was visibly shaken and pushed back hard.
- The "Nazi" Rebrand: In mid-2025, Gutfeld suggested conservatives should "reclaim" the word Nazi, much like other marginalized groups have reclaimed slurs. Tarlov's reaction was a mix of horror and disbelief.
- The Set Removal Rumors: There was even a viral (though largely unverified) claim that producers had to physically remove Tarlov from the set after a particularly nasty exchange about the Biden legacy.
The Audience’s Hunger for Blood Sport
Why does this keep happening? Because we watch it.
The ratings for The Five remain sky-high because people love the "theatrics of conflict." It’s basically professional wrestling for people who care about the news. You have the heel, the hero (depending on your politics), and the dramatic showdown.
But there’s a cost.
When Gutfeld tells Tarlov that her data or her examples don't matter because "we don't care," it signals a shift from debate to total dismissal. It’s no longer about who has the better argument; it’s about who can shout the loudest or be the most dismissive.
What This Means for the Future of the Show
There are constantly rumors that one of them is leaving. "Tarlov fired!" or "Gutfeld quits!" headlines pop up every week. So far, they’re both still there. Fox knows that this friction is their "secret sauce." If everyone agreed, the show would be boring.
🔗 Read more: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
However, the level of personal animosity seems to be growing. It’s getting harder for them to pivot back to a joke about Greg’s dog or a lighthearted segment about a viral cat video after they’ve just accused each other of being complicit in a culture of violence.
How to Navigate the Noise
If you’re a fan of the show—or just someone who can't stop watching the clips on X—here’s the reality:
- Recognize the Persona: Both Gutfeld and Tarlov are playing versions of themselves optimized for television. They know what gets clicks.
- Verify the Claims: When Gutfeld says violence "only happens on the left," or Tarlov cites a specific case, look it up. The National Institute of Justice and the Anti-Defamation League both have extensive data on extremist violence that often contradicts the "one-side" narrative.
- Watch the Body Language: Next time they're in a heated exchange, watch the people sitting between them. The discomfort on Dana Perino’s face usually tells you more than the actual dialogue does.
The jessica tarlov fight with greg gutfeld is a mirror of where the country is right now. We’re tired, we’re angry, and we’re sitting at a table with people we don't understand. Whether they can keep the show together—or if the table finally breaks—is anyone's guess.
Next Steps for You: To get the full picture, don't just watch the 30-second "Gutfeld Destroys Tarlov" clips. Watch a full episode to see how the tension builds over the hour. You might also want to check out Tarlov’s appearances on independent podcasts where she speaks more freely about the "Fox playbook" and how she prepares for these daily battles.