Fox News host Jessica Tarlov pushed back against President Donald Trump on March 26, 2026, after he called for her removal from the network’s afternoon talk show The Five. Trump phoned into the March 26 broadcast, telling the panel that the program would be “a lot better” without Tarlov and criticizing her use of polling statistics on air.
Donald Trump Targets Jessica Tarlov on The Five
During the telephone appearance on Thursday, March 26, 2026, Trump told host Jesse Watters and the rest of the panel that he is “not a fan” of Tarlov. The president claimed Tarlov uses “fake numbers” when discussing his political standing, specifically citing her reference to a 42% polling figure.
“She’ll give, ‘Well, he’s only polling 42%.’ That’s not right. Polling very high, actually,” Trump said during the call. When Watters asked if the president would appear on set next time to sit next to Tarlov and be a “good influence,” Trump replied that he is sure she is a lovely person, but reiterated that the show would be better without her.
Trump also questioned Tarlov’s absence from the Thursday episode, asking the panel whether she chose to skip the show or if management kicked her off. Watters clarified that Tarlov had a previous schedule conflict that she could not change.
Jessica Tarlov and Fox News Polling Context
Tarlov, who serves as a Democratic Party political strategist and a rotating co-host on The Five, responded to the remarks later that day on X. Sharing a clip of the exchange, Tarlov wrote, “Was so bummed to miss the show today! But I definitely would’ve said he’s even inflating his numbers to 42%!”
The back-and-forth followed the release of a Fox News poll on Tuesday, March 25, 2026, which placed Trump at a 41% approval rating. Tarlov’s on-air analysis typically provides the Democratic perspective on the panel alongside co-hosts like Watters and Greg Gutfeld.
This is not the first time Trump has publicly criticized the Fox News host. Last July, following a broadcast where Tarlov advocated for gun control measures after a shooting in New York City, Trump posted on Truth Social that he “can’t stand Jessica Tarlov of THE FIVE” and called her a “real loser.”
Related reading