Fox News’ liberal co-host Jessica Tarlov is once again in the hot seat after making a blatantly false claim about President-elect Donald Trump’s historic 2024 election victory. During a recent episode of *The Five*, Tarlov suggested that Trump, despite a clear Electoral College win, failed to secure the popular vote—a claim that was immediately debunked by fact-checkers and conservative viewers alike.
Tarlov, who often serves as the lone liberal voice on the popular Fox News panel, attempted to downplay the significance of Trump’s victory, saying, *“Trump didn’t cross fifty percent of the popular vote, so the majority of Americans didn’t vote for him.”* She added, *“Senate Democrats performed really well… that does show that this norm coalition can’t exist. It was that Trump had a special sauce at the top of the ticket for a lot of people.”*
Her comments quickly drew fire from conservatives who pointed out that Trump not only secured a decisive Electoral College victory but also clinched a majority in the popular vote. As of this article’s publication, the Associated Press reported Trump leading with 50% of the popular vote compared to Kamala Harris’ 48.3%.
Conservative voices online erupted in response, with many calling for Fox News to replace Tarlov as a co-host. A popular conservative X account, *Donald J. Trump News*, posted, *“Breaking News: Jessica Tarlov says ‘Trump never reached 50% of the popular vote, meaning the majority of Americans did not vote for him.’ What’s your message to her?”* Responses poured in, ranging from, *“Get rid of her, please,”* to, *“Why is she even on Fox News?”*
One user delivered a scathing rebuttal: *“Trump won all the key swing states, crushed Harris in the Electoral College, and proved the mainstream media, her campaign, and her donors completely wrong. Anyone paying attention to his massive rallies knew this was coming. Tarlov is grasping at straws.”*
🚨Breaking News: Jessica Tarlov says “Trump never reached 50% of the popular vote, meaning the majority of Americans did not vote for him.”
What’s your message to her? pic.twitter.com/yuENdHHXAY
— Donald J. Trump News (@realTrumpNewsX) November 20, 2024
However, some attempted to parse Tarlov’s argument, noting that while Trump held a commanding lead on Election Night, delays in vote counting in liberal strongholds like California have chipped away at his margin in the popular vote. These delays and the sudden influx of Democrat-heavy “late ballots” have sparked renewed calls for election reform from the GOP.
*“She’s partially right in one sense,”* a user commented. *“Trump had over 50% on Election Night. But these endless counts in Democrat-run states raise serious questions. Why are votes still being tallied weeks later, and why do they disproportionately favor Democrats? Something doesn’t add up.”*
The controversy highlights broader frustrations with media narratives and election integrity. For many conservatives, Tarlov’s comments exemplify what they see as the left’s unwillingness to acknowledge Trump’s overwhelming victory—a stark rejection of the policies and rhetoric of the Biden-Harris administration.
As Trump prepares to take office in 2025, bolstered by a Republican-controlled House and Senate, the momentum on the right is palpable. But moments like this remind conservatives that the battle for truth in media is far from over. For now, Jessica Tarlov may remain a fixture on Fox News, but her credibility with conservative viewers appears to have hit a new low.