Jessica Tarlov fires back after Jesse Watters calls Hillary Clinton 'just a female'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A discussion about Hillary Clinton's political legacy turned into one of the most heated moments on Fox News' 'The Five' after co-host Jessica Tarlov challenged Jesse Watters over his claim that the former secretary of state is "just a female."

The exchange unfolded during the June 17 edition of the show as the panel discussed Clinton's recent comments criticizing the Democratic Party's handling of former President Joe Biden's 2024 reelection campaign. What began as a debate over Clinton's place in political history quickly escalated into a tense back-and-forth between Watters and Tarlov.

Jesse Watters questions Hillary Clinton's political legacy on 'The Five'

The conversation began with Clinton's recent assertion that Democrats made a "terrible mistake" by initially moving forward with Biden as their 2024 nominee before later replacing him with former Vice President Kamala Harris.

As the panel discussed Clinton's influence and place in American political history, Watters argued that future generations would focus on larger political and economic developments rather than Clinton herself.

“Historians will look back in 100 years,” Watters said. “They’re not gonna look at the fake news stuff that Jessica traffics in every day. They’re gonna see the big stuff. The world-defining moments. The rewiring of world trade. The crime, the economy, the border, what we’re doing internationally. That’s the stuff.”

He then made the comment that immediately sparked reactions from his fellow panelists.

“Hillary Clinton is gonna be a footnote, and it’s just ’cause she’s a female,” Watters said.

The remark drew an immediate response from Greg Gutfeld.

“Aw, that’s terrible,” Gutfeld said.

But Watters doubled down on his argument.

“It’s true! What has she done?” he asked as laughter broke out around the table.

Jessica Tarlov cites Hillary Clinton's political record

As Watters continued his argument, Tarlov jumped in to challenge his characterization of Clinton.

“She’s just a female — that’s it. A female that does what men do,” Watters said.

Tarlov responded by listing some of the most prominent positions Clinton has held during her decades in public life.

“US senator, secretary of state,” she said. 

Watters dismissed those accomplishments, arguing that simply holding office did not automatically translate into success.

“It’s just a job,” he replied. “What does she do at the job?”

Tarlov fired back with another pointed question.

“And she just talks at the YMCA?” she asked.

The exchange highlighted the sharp divide between the two co-hosts as they debated whether Clinton's career should be viewed as historically significant.

Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters' debate grows heated

The discussion grew more tense as Watters criticized Clinton's performance in the positions she held.

“Does she do a great job at the job? No! She does a terrible job,” he said.

Watters then added that his criticism had nothing to do with gender.

“She does a terrible job, just like many men have done terrible jobs at those same jobs,” he said.

Tarlov appeared increasingly frustrated by the direction of the conversation.

“Stop it,” she responded.

The Democratic strategist then delivered one of the sharpest lines of the segment.

“Rarely do I say this is beneath you, but it’s actually beneath you to be doing this.”

Rather than back away from his comments, Watters appeared amused by the criticism.

“You’d be surprised,” he replied.

Greg Gutfeld reacts as Hillary Clinton debate wraps up

While Tarlov and Watters dominated much of the exchange, Gutfeld also weighed in during the discussion.

After Watters brushed off Tarlov's criticism, Gutfeld offered a final observation that brought the segment to a close.

“He can prove you wrong, because he’ll never break the chain,” Gutfeld joked.

The moment capped off a lively debate that quickly spread beyond the show itself.