The Five – Tuesday, July 22, 2025
An Editorial-Grade Synthesis in Professional English
On July 22, 2025, The Five aired a compelling one-hour installment, anchored by Greg Gutfeld alongside rotating panelists Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, Jessica Tarlov, and Harold Ford Jr. The segment wove together sharp cultural commentary, incisive political analysis, and deep dives into governance and policy—all delivered in a confident, editorially coherent flow.
1. Opening Monologue: Cultural Gatekeeping and Celebrity Outrage
Greg Gutfeld kicked off the show with a piercing critique of Hollywood figures whose political interventions, he argued, come across as alienating. Lead among them was Jeff Daniels, whose remark wishing that Trump voters “lose money” drove Gutfeld to label the comment as tone-deaf to real American struggles . In pointed contrast, Gutfeld lauded Billy Joel for refusing to bow to “woke” pressure, arguing that Joel’s artistic integrity reflected audience values more authentically than celebrity virtue-signaling. The opening established a provocative lens: cultural elites risk political credibility when they overstep into partisan moralizing.
2. Political Crossroads: “Democratic Identity Crisis”
The conversation shifted to internal dynamics within the Democratic Party, particularly the heated New York mayoral primary. Watters framed the contest as a manifestation of ideological fragmentation—center-left pragmatism versus progressive orthodoxy—warning that this battle could disillusion the broader electorate. He cautioned, “When your own party turns inward, swing voters slip away,” a strategic insight into electoral vulnerability .
Ford added depth, noting that while ideological energy can invigorate the base, it may simultaneously alienate suburban and independent voters. The discussion painted the primary not just as a local skirmish, but as a bellwether for national cohesion—or lack thereof.
3. Immigration Strategy: Sanctuary Cities in the Crosshairs
Harold Ford Jr. led the next segment, advocating a nuanced approach: sanctuary cities should collaborate—rather than clash—with federal immigration authorities. Referencing recent ICE data and commentary from Fox’s coverage, Ford noted a 70% increase in arrests attributed to criminal illegal immigrants and an alarming 830% surge in assaults against agents .
He proposed a bold realignment: sanctuary jurisdictions could retain local discretion while permitting targeted federal enforcement in tandem with community oversight. While critics argue that cooperation undermines sanctuary protections, the hosts argued it advances public safety and showcases responsible governance.
4. Local Accountability Spotlight: LA Mayor’s Scandal
With a clip highlighting the LA mayor’s entanglement in a “big, fat scam”—allegedly orchestrated by a migrant—the panel homed in on failures of oversight . They seized on the mayor’s apparent lack of due diligence in awarding public contracts and engaging city officials with basic vetting procedures.
This segment emphasized the national relevance of municipal governance, contending that taxpayer trust hinges as much on city hall integrity as it does on federal leadership. The hosts urged voters and oversight bodies to scrutinize municipal accountability with the same zeal applied to Capitol Hill.
5. Hunter Biden’s Profane Border Rant: A PR Crisis
Returning to national political theater, Gutfeld and Perino dissected Hunter Biden’s profanity-filled tirade during a sit-down with YouTuber Andrew Callaghan . In a heated 30-second clip, Biden unleashed multiple f-bombs while lamenting deportation efforts—“How do you think your hotel room gets cleaned?” he demanded—before drawing condemnation from the White House, which called his priorities “callous” amid national border incidents .
The panel portrayed this outburst not as innocent hyperbole but as emblematic of a party struggling to refine its message—contending that familial indiscretions carry broader reputational consequences, especially for a party repeatedly struggling to articulate policy coherently.
📝 Key Observations
Celebrity vs. Commonality: Gutfeld’s contrast between elitist celebrity expression and populist authenticity struck a chord with conservative viewers who feel culturally sidelined.
Electoral Warning: The “identity crisis” framing served as a caution to Democrats: internal conflict risks ceding swing-state electoral terrain.
Hybrid Enforcement Approach: Ford’s model envisioned a middle path—sanctuary cities cooperating with ICE selectively. It appealed to balance and governance legitimacy, while critique foreshadowed concerns about local autonomy being compromised .
Citizens First Narrative: Scrutiny of LA’s mayoral failings showcased Fox’s dedication to elevating fiscal and operational trust in local governments.
Communications Breakdown: Hunter Biden’s tirade was used to illustrate larger concerns of message discipline, party optics, and the perils of public figure gaffes.
🎯 Executive Recap – Fox Editorial Precision
Tuesday’s episode delivered a tightly wound, rhetorically assertive narrative:
Sharp Cultural Commentary: Gutfeld’s opening drew ideological fault lines between coastal celebrities and grounded Americans.
Strategic Political Alert: The Democratic Party’s internal rift was portrayed as a voter-alienating hazard.
Policy-First Immigration Insight: A blend of skepticism and pragmatism shaped the segment on federal-local immigration cooperation.
Local Ethics Emphasis: City-level integrity emerged as a national concern, reinforcing a framework of layered governance checks.
Scandal as Symbol: Hunter Biden’s rant served as a microcosm of communication missteps and brand dilution within the Democratic sphere.
⚖️ Final Assessment
In sum, The Five (July 22, 2025) presented a powerful, cohesive narrative in line with Fox’s hallmark style: assertive, fact-adjacent, and ideologically calibrated. From cultural analysis to immigration strategy, the episode stayed consistently within conservative frames—celebrating pragmatism and integrity while warning of Democratic instability and identity fragmentation. Through data reference, punchy framing, and tangible local-to-national connections, the episode reinforced Fox’s reputation for energetic, strategic commentary aimed at educating and mobilizing its audience.
