In yet another heated episode of Fox News Channel’s “The Five,” co-hosts Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters found themselves at odds, this time over Vice President Kamala Harris’ controversial economic proposals. With the 2024 presidential race heating up, Harris’ policies, including a 25% unrealized capital gains tax, have drawn criticism from both the left and the right. But, as expected, Tarlov was quick to defend Harris, framing her far-left economic agenda as a bold move toward an “opportunity economy.”
During the late-August broadcast, Tarlov did her best to paint a rosy picture of Harris’ policies. She argued that Harris’ $25,000 subsidy for first-time homebuyers would boost homeownership and improve neighborhoods. However, what she failed to acknowledge is the disastrous impact such policies could have on the broader economy. By imposing steep taxes on unrealized gains, Harris would effectively penalize Americans for simply holding onto their investments—hardly a recipe for economic growth.
Tarlov, known for her liberal viewpoints, tried to corner Watters into agreeing with Harris by highlighting the universal desire for homeownership. “And when she talks about homeownership, which is something that we all aspire to… Right, Jesse?” she prodded, clearly hoping to put Watters in a difficult position. But Watters, ever the quick thinker, wasn’t about to fall for it.
Instead of engaging with Tarlov’s attempts to trap him, Watters deftly sidestepped her line of questioning with a perfectly timed quip. “I wasn’t paying attention. What did you just say?” he joked, leaving Tarlov visibly frustrated. The exchange perfectly encapsulated the dynamic between the two co-hosts, with Watters refusing to take Tarlov’s bait and instead turning the conversation into a lighthearted moment.
Of course, Tarlov didn’t take kindly to Watters’ response, snapping back, “You’re really an incredible jerk sometimes.” Her reaction, while predictable, only served to highlight the frustration many viewers feel when confronted with the left’s often convoluted logic.
Unsurprisingly, social media users on X (formerly Twitter) were quick to weigh in, with many expressing their disdain for Tarlov’s aggressive tactics. One commenter didn’t mince words, saying, “She was an erratic angry rabid raccoon tonight. Why do they tolerate her? I can’t listen to her anymore.” Another user went even further, comparing Tarlov to a character out of a horror film: “Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard, her logic is like that of dumb & dumber, her poise is like that of the wicked witch of the west. I feel sorry for her coworkers and family having to listen to her day in and day out.”
Despite Tarlov’s best efforts, it was clear that many viewers sided with Watters, appreciating his refusal to engage with what they saw as her misguided arguments. However, not everyone was amused by Watters’ approach. One commenter seemed to miss the joke entirely, criticizing Watters for not paying attention: “Just can’t with that guy. His only job is to LISTEN and react. Jesse Watters needs to get out of the way so that somebody actually competent can do his job. He lowers the level of conversation with his foolishness.”
The spat over Harris’ policies wasn’t the first time Tarlov and Watters have butted heads. More recently, Tarlov took aim at former President Donald Trump, claiming his economic speech was “incoherent.” In typical fashion, she launched into a critique of Trump’s remarks on childcare and tariffs, trying to paint him as out of touch. But much like her defense of Harris’ radical policies, Tarlov’s argument failed to resonate with many viewers, who see through the left’s attempts to dismiss common-sense economic solutions.
As the 2024 election looms, exchanges like these on “The Five” are likely to become even more charged. With the stakes higher than ever, Americans will be watching closely to see which vision for the country prevails—the radical left’s push for more government control, or a return to the principles of economic freedom and individual responsibility.
