'I'm out': Jessica Tarlov fumes after Fox News co-hosts call GOP Black voters 'better' than Dems
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A debate over political violence quickly turned into a tense exchange over race on July 24, Friday's edition of Fox News' ‘The Five’, ending with co-host Jessica Tarlov declaring, "I'm out," after Greg Gutfeld joked that Republican-voting Black Americans were "better" than Democrats.
The discussion began with the panel comparing threats against President Donald Trump and Democratic politicians. But within minutes, the conversation shifted to race, voting patterns and representation, producing one of the most heated moments on the program.
Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters clash over Black voters during debate
The conversation started after Tarlov referenced the killing of Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband while discussing political violence.
"No one knows who that is," co-host Jesse Watters responded.
Gutfeld then added, "Trump didn't say, 'Go out there and get in their face.'"
Tarlov pushed back by bringing up Cesar Sayoc, who pleaded guilty in 2019 to mailing b***s to politicians he viewed as enemies of Trump.
Watters responded by referring to Brian Cole Jr., asking, "Which pipe bomber? The Black guy? Remember when we found out he was, like, some random Black guy?"
Tarlov immediately mocked the remark. "Oh my God, ha ha ha, random Black guy!" she said before adding, "You have no Black people, so I get it, on your side. Is that what you're trying to say?"
Watters replied, "We have a few. We're working on it."
"Work harder," Tarlov shot back.
Greg Gutfeld's comment changes tone of discussion
The exchange escalated moments later when Gutfeld joined in with a laugh.
"Ours are better than yours," he said, referring to Black voters who support Republicans.
Tarlov immediately distanced herself from the comment. "Not touching that," she replied. Watters then argued Republicans had improved their support among Black voters.
"We actually won more Blacks than we did last time," he said.
Tarlov dismissed the point, saying, "You got, like, one percent more and you think it's —"
"I'll take it!" Watters interrupted. "You keep losing whites! Rather have the whites, statistically."
Jessica Tarlov says 'I'm out' as argument reaches breaking point
As the debate continued, Tarlov decided she had heard enough.
"I'm out!" she said. "I am racially out." Gutfeld then told Watters, "Jesse, do not get into an argument with somebody who keeps score of skin color."
Tarlov immediately clarified what had prompted her reaction.
"He said, 'We have better Blacks than you,'" she stressed.
Watters denied making the statement. "No, I didn't say that," he responded. "I said that," Gutfeld acknowledged.
Watters ended the exchange with a joke aimed at Tarlov. "You're mixing up the white guys again," he quipped, "because we all look alike."
