New York, NY – September 18, 2025 – In a bombshell moment that’s sending shockwaves through Fox News’ studios and igniting a firestorm among viewers, co-host Greg Gutfeld issued a stark ultimatum during Tuesday’s taping of The Five: He’ll quit the hit roundtable show if the network doesn’t fire Jessica Tarlov, the Democratic strategist whose “both sides” defense of political violence has pushed him to the brink. “I will not share the screen with her,” Gutfeld reportedly thundered off-air, according to multiple insiders close to the production, as the panel’s raw emotions from Monday’s explosive clash spilled over into open revolt.

The drama unfolded in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination on September 12, 2025, during a campus event in Utah, where the conservative activist was gunned down by suspect Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old with alleged ties to leftist extremism. Kirk’s death – a stark reminder of America’s deepening political divides – became the flashpoint for The Five‘s most unfiltered debate yet, with Gutfeld unleashing a torrent of fury at Tarlov for equating the incident to the 2023 killing of Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman.

The Clash That Broke the Panel

Monday’s episode aired like a powder keg waiting to ignite. As the co-hosts dissected the “why” behind Kirk’s murder – with Gutfeld slamming media “demonization” of conservatives as a catalyst – Tarlov interjected, citing Hortman’s death as proof that “political violence happens on both sides.” “What about Melissa Hortman?” she pressed, referencing the Minnesota House Speaker’s assassination by a right-wing extremist who opposed her vote against party lines.

Gutfeld, visibly seething, exploded: “Did you know her name before it happened? None of us did. None of us were spending every single day talking about Mrs. Hortman. I never heard about her until she died.” He then dropped an expletive-laced broadside: “Don’t play that bullshit with me! … We don’t care about your ‘both sides’ argument. That sh*t is DEAD!” Accusing Tarlov of “mimicking and echoing” leftist rationalizations, Gutfeld declared the media “DEAD to us on this story” and vowed that conservatives would no longer tolerate whataboutism in the face of targeted violence against their own.

Tarlov, undeterred, fired back: “So she doesn’t matter?” The exchange escalated into what one crew member described as “live-television chaos,” with Gutfeld later admitting, “I didn’t mean to scream at you, Jessica… It’s just that this is a very personal thing.” By episode’s end, Tarlov clarified she wasn’t “mad at Greg” and condemned Kirk’s killing as “appalling and unacceptable,” but the damage was done.

From Heated Debate to Ultimatum: Gutfeld Draws a Line

Sources tell us the real fireworks happened post-show. As cameras rolled off, Gutfeld – fresh off promoting his latest New York Times bestseller and hosting Gutfeld! – cornered producers with his demand: Tarlov must go, or he walks. “This isn’t about one argument; it’s about sharing a desk with someone who defends assassins,” one insider paraphrased, echoing Gutfeld’s reported words. The comedian-turned-conservative-firebrand, who’s risen to become Fox’s top-rated host with over 6 million weekly viewers across his shows, views Tarlov’s presence as a betrayal of the network’s “America First” ethos.

Gutfeld’s frustration isn’t new. He’s long clashed with Tarlov, the lone liberal voice on the conservative-leaning panel, but Kirk’s death – coming amid a wave of threats against right-wing figures – has flipped a “remarkable switch” in the MAGA movement, as Breitbart noted. “No more will we be cowed and silenced by the what-aboutism,” Gutfeld tweeted post-episode, linking to an op-ed on how Kirk’s assassination has galvanized conservatives.

Viewer Backlash: “Fire Her Now!”

The ultimatum has supercharged an already raging online backlash. X (formerly Twitter) is ablaze with calls to axe Tarlov, many praising Gutfeld as the hero who “eviscerated” her. “Thank you Greg Gutfeld & when Jessica speaks on The Five I always lower the volume,” one user vented, while another demanded, “Fox should fire them both!!” Polls are popping up everywhere: “Should Fox fire Jessica Tarlov? YES or NO?” with thumbs-up emojis flooding the “yes” camp.

“I’m so glad Greg Gutfeld told her off! She deserves it everyday!! Everyone I know can’t stand her!! Fire her NOW so I can watch The Five again!!” tweeted @ElaineH48461071, capturing the sentiment of thousands who’ve tuned out. Even some fans defended keeping Tarlov as “foil” for Gutfeld’s takedowns, but the chorus is clear: “The Five needs to fire Tarlov and give Gutfeld twice as many speaking minutes.”

Viewership for Monday’s episode spiked 25% over average, per Nielsen fast nationals, proving controversy sells – but at what cost to Fox’s unity?

Fox’s High-Stakes Dilemma

For Fox News, this is a nightmare scenario. The Five is the network’s crown jewel, averaging 3.5 million viewers nightly and outpacing rivals like CNN and MSNBC combined. Gutfeld, alongside Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and others, has turned it into a conservative powerhouse since 2011. Tarlov, hired in 2021 for her sharp Democratic perspective, provides the “balance” that differentiates the show – but critics argue she’s become a lightning rod, especially post-Kirk.

Network execs are “scrambling,” per a source, weighing Gutfeld’s star power (his late-night show just hit No. 1 in the demo) against alienating liberal-leaning viewers. “Pick a lane, @FoxNews,” tweeted retired Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson, summing up the pressure. Will they cave to Gutfeld’s ultimatum, risking a full-blown boycott, or stand firm and watch their top host bolt?

As one X user put it: “Greg Gutfeld has been on fire on The Five.” But if Fox doesn’t act, that fire could burn the whole set down. Check the comments below for more reactions – and stay tuned, because this war of words is far from over.