Fox News’ The Five became the center of attention during a tense discussion between co-hosts Greg Gutfeld and Jessica Tarlov regarding the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The debate escalated as differing perspectives on political violence came to the forefront.
Gutfeld strongly rejected Tarlov’s attempt to frame the killing as part of “both sides” political violence. He argued that Kirk’s assassination was a direct result of left-wing extremism, emphasizing that comparing it to other incidents, such as the death of Democratic politician Melissa Hortman, was inaccurate and misleading.
Gutfeld called such comparisons “bulls—t” and “dead arguments,” asserting that Kirk, as a prominent public figure, faced unique circumstances that distinguished his case from others. Tarlov, while condemning the murder, sought to broaden the conversation by highlighting that political violence is not exclusive to any single ideology. She pointed to Hortman’s death as an example, emphasizing that acknowledging multiple instances of violence does not diminish the tragedy of Kirk’s assassination.
She stressed the importance of understanding political violence in a larger context while still condemning the attack on Kirk. The exchange sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with supporters of both hosts debating the implications of political rhetoric and extremism. While some public figures echoed Gutfeld’s focus on left-wing extremism, law enforcement officials have not officially confirmed any ideological motive behind the attack. This confrontation underscores how Kirk’s assassination has intensified discussions about political polarization, responsibility, and the factors driving violence in contemporary American society.