Washington, D.C. – During a routine phone interview with Fox News on Thursday, President Donald Trump launched an unexpected attack on Jessica Tarlov, a Democratic strategist and co-host of the show “The Five.” His comments came as Tarlov was absent from the broadcast due to prior commitments, leaving her unable to respond to the president’s critiques.
The president, now 79, joined the program for a wide-ranging discussion that included topics like U.S. foreign policy and his appeal among LGBTQ+ voters. However, the tone shifted when co-host Jesse Watters invited Trump to appear in person next time, specifically suggesting he would like to sit beside Tarlov. “I think you’d be a good influence on her,” Watters said.
Rather than accepting the invitation, Trump decided to criticize Tarlov instead. He stated, “I’m glad Jessica’s not there. I think your show would be better without her.” The president then implied that Tarlov was misrepresenting his approval ratings, targeting a claim she made about a 42% figure he deemed inaccurate, despite a recent poll showing 41% approval for him.
“I watch Jessica, and I’m not a fan,” Trump remarked, drawing laughter from other panelists. He claimed she frequently cited “fake numbers” to critique his polling data and pressed co-host Watters for clarification on Tarlov’s absence. Watters responded that it was not a dismissal and that Tarlov had simply had another commitment.
Later that night, Tarlov responded on social media, poking fun at Trump’s claims. “Was so bummed to miss the show today! But I definitely would’ve said he’s even inflating his numbers to 42%!” she tweeted, demonstrating her willingness to engage despite Trump’s comments.
This latest exchange is part of an ongoing feud between Trump and Tarlov. Last summer, the president criticized her for her stance on gun control following a shooting in New York, labeling her a “real loser” and attacking her credibility. His history of targeting female journalists goes back years, but the manner of his criticism this time is particularly notable due to its public setting.
The incident poses challenges for Fox News as it balances its relationship with the sitting president and its commitment to its staff. As of the latest updates, the network has not issued any statements regarding Trump’s comments or made adjustments to “The Five.”
Tarlov, who has been a Fox News contributor since 2017 and became a co-host of “The Five” in January 2022, has garnered attention for her progressive views amid a largely conservative cast. Her willingness to challenge pro-Trump narratives has made her a frequent target of criticism from Trump’s supporters, and now from Trump himself during live broadcasts.
As Trump continues his second term alongside Vice President JD Vance, he has maintained his confrontational approach toward media figures he perceives as hostile, making Thursday’s comments particularly striking given the context in which they were delivered.