President Donald Trump transformed a routine phone interview with Fox News into an unexpected assault on one of the network’s own hosts on Thursday, declaring “The Five” would be “a lot better” without Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov, who wasn’t even on set to defend herself.
The 79-year-old president called into the show on March 26, 2026, for what became a wide-ranging conversation touching on topics from the Strait of Hormuz to his popularity with gay voters. But the interview took a sharp turn when co-host Jesse Watters floated an invitation.
“Mr. President, the next time you do this on The Five, can we have you on set? Because we really want you to sit next to Jessica. I think you’d be a good influence on her. Can you do that?” Watters asked.
Trump declined to play along. Instead, he launched into criticism of the show’s lone liberal panelist, who serves as a rotating co-host but was absent from Thursday’s broadcast due to a scheduling conflict.
“I like all of your shows. I’m glad Jessica’s not there. No, actually, I think your show would be better without her. But who am I to say that? I think it would be a lot better,” Trump said during the phone interview.
The president escalated from there, accusing Tarlov of using “fake numbers” when discussing his approval ratings. He specifically took issue with her citing a 42% approval figure—though a Fox News poll released March 25 actually showed him at 41% approval with 59% disapproval, his highest disapproval rating across both terms in office.
“I watch Jessica, and I’m not a fan,” Trump told the panel as co-hosts laughed. “She uses fake numbers. She’ll give, ‘Well, he’s only polling 42%.’ That’s not right. Polling very high, actually.”
Trump then questioned her absence, asking Watters directly: “Tell me, did she not want to do it, or did you kick her off the show?” Watters clarified that the network hadn’t removed her. She had a previous schedule that she couldn’t change.
Tarlov, a Democratic political strategist who also co-hosts the Raging Moderates podcast with Scott Galloway, didn’t let the president’s comments go unanswered. She fired back on social media on Thursday night with a pointed jab at Trump’s polling claims.
“Was so bummed to miss the show today! But I definitely would’ve said he’s even inflating his numbers to 42%!” she wrote.
Thursday’s ambush marks another chapter in Trump’s running feud with Tarlov. Last July, after she called for gun control following a New York City shooting, the president posted on Truth Social: “I can’t stand Jessica Tarlov of THE FIVE. A real loser!!!” He has also labeled her a “failed TV personality” and “disgrace to television broadcasting” for highlighting his unfavorable polling numbers.
The president has a documented pattern of targeting female journalists who challenge him. In December, he called ABC reporter Rachel Scott “the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place.” He has often blasted CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, called New York Times reporter Katie Rogers “ugly, both inside and out,” and shouted “Quiet, piggy!” at Bloomberg’s Catherine Lucey.
What made Thursday’s attack particularly striking was its setting. Rather than criticizing Tarlov on social media or at a rally, Trump used an interview on her own show to disparage her, giving her no opportunity to respond in real time. The panel—Dana Perino, Kennedy, Greg Gutfeld, Kayleigh McEnany, and Watters—laughed along with the president’s remarks.
The incident creates an awkward position for Fox News. The network must balance its relationship with a sitting president who remains popular with its core audience against supporting its own employees. As of Monday, neither Fox News executives nor producers of “The Five” had publicly addressed Trump’s comments or indicated any plans to change the show’s lineup.
Tarlov, 41, has built her career as a liberal voice on Fox News since joining as a contributor in 2017. She became a co-host of “The Five” in January 2022, providing Democratic perspectives to the show’s predominantly conservative panel. Her willingness to challenge pro-Trump narratives has made her a frequent target of criticism from the president’s supporters—and now from the president himself during the show’s airtime.
The confrontation comes as Trump continues his second term alongside Vice President JD Vance. The president has maintained his combative approach toward media figures he perceives as hostile, though targeting a host on a network generally favorable to his administration stands out even by his standards.
