Trump roasts Fox News host Jessica Tarlov before calling on network to fire her: ‘I am not a fan’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump sharply criticized Jessica Tarlov on Thursday, March 26, during a phone interview on 'The Five', questioning her absence from the show and accusing her of using “fake numbers” while discussing his polling.

The comments came as Trump also pushed back against a recent Fox News poll released, which showed him with a 59 per cent disapproval rating, his highest recorded in that survey.

Trump slams Tarlov on-air

During the segment, Jesse Watters invited Trump to appear in person on the panel in the future, suggesting he sit alongside Tarlov.

“Mr President, the next time you do this on The Five, can we have you on set?” he asked. “Because we really want you to sit next to Jessica. I think you’d be a good influence on her. Can you do that?”

Trump responded: “Well, I think– I watch Jessica, and I’m not a fan,” prompting laughter from the hosts. He continued, “And she uses fake numbers. She’ll give, ‘Well, he’s only polling [at] 42 per cent.’ That’s not right. Polling very high, actually. You know, polls are just like– I hate people that use fake polls because polls are just like bad journalists. You know, bad journalists, they write fake stories. Well, fake polls do damage also. But that’s the thing. I’m sure I’d like her. I’m sure she’s a lovely person.”

Trump then turned to Tarlov’s absence from the March 27 broadcast, asking: “Tell me, did she not wanna do it, or did you kick her off the show?”

Watters clarified the situation, saying, “No, we didn’t kick her off. She had a previous schedule that she couldn’t change.”

The exchange drew a lighthearted response from the panel but underscored Trump’s continued criticism of Tarlov’s commentary and analysis on the program.

Past tensions resurface

The latest remarks reflect an ongoing public feud between Donald Trump and Jessica Tarlov. In July, Tarlov criticized Trump while discussing gun control, prompting a strong reaction from the former president on social media.

“I can’t stand Jessica Tarlov of THE FIVE. A real loser!!! DJT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.

During the same appearance on 'The Five', Trump also criticized Fox News polling, drawing laughter from the hosts as he called the network’s surveys “terrible.”

The remarks followed a Fox News poll released on March 25 showing Trump’s highest disapproval rating in the survey, with 59 per cent of respondents disapproving of his performance, including 47 per cent who said they strongly disapprove. Meanwhile, 41 per cent said they approve of his job as president.

Joining via phone, Trump pointed to a CNN poll that he said showed 100 per cent approval among self-described MAGA voters, particularly regarding his stance on Iran.

“Think of it, 100 per cent in a CNN poll, a CNN poll, which are the worst polls, almost as bad as Fox polls,” Trump said. “I hate Fox polls.”

He continued, “Honestly, whoever does your polls, they’re terrible,” adding that Rupert Murdoch had allegedly promised to replace the pollster. “But your Fox polls are terrible. But the pollsters that are good have me leading by a lot and leading every candidate if I– I’d love to run. But there’s some things you can’t do in life, I guess, not allowed to do. But we’re very popular. I mean, what can I say?”

Trump has repeatedly criticized Fox News polling in the past, including during the 2020 election cycle, when he similarly dismissed the network’s survey results as inaccurate.