Fox News host Jesse Watters drew pushback from his co-hosts on Wednesday’s edition of “The Five” after he delivered a passionate defense of a Democratic Senate candidate, a defense that included claims about his own employer.
The panel was discussing former Rep. Mary Peltola, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Alaska. Peltola is within striking distance of Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.
Last week, several former staffers accused Peltola of hostility toward staff and others who had crossed her.
A text message shown to The New York Times shows Peltola referred to an Alaskan businessman as a “r*tard.” The former staffers also claimed Peltola used the word “fa**ot” multiple times. Peltola denies that charge.
Co-host Emily Compagno argued there is a line between toughness and excusing bad behavior.
“There’s a difference, obviously, between having thick skin and giving someone a free pass,” Compagno said.
She acknowledged that “snowflake culture is a real risk,” warning that kids raised to be soft and dependent will grow into soft, dependent adults.
“But the other thing is, it’s 2026 and culturally and legally, employees can expect professionalism,” she said. “And expecting professionalism is not fragility.”
Watters disagreed and fired back, invoking his early days at Fox News as a producer on “The O’Reilly Factor.”
“Emily, you’ve gone soft,” Watters said. “You’ve heard those words said at Fox. You’ve heard these words before.”
Watters argued that Peltola’s language could actually help her with voters.
“Who cares? It actually makes people like her more,” he said, before describing Alaska as home to the “world’s most dangerous catch.” A co-host corrected him: “Deadliest Catch.”
“Deadliest Catch! Even better,” Watters said. “Who cares what she says? It’s what she does.”
Watters contrasted Peltola’s alleged language with other misconduct by politicians.
“People are sleeping with interns. They’re insider trading. They’re taking bribes and not even showing up to work. And people are upset that she said a bad word?” he said.
He then pointed to his own career.
“You think Bill O’Reilly tucked me in at night and sang me a lullaby? Goodness gracious!” Watters said.
Watters also cited Ari Emanuel, saying the “high performer” throws things at staff, and that staffers respond by thanking him.
“This is what is done in an intense environment,” Watters said, pointing to Wall Street trading desks and the Pentagon. “People say stuff!”
Watters added that it was “disloyal” for staffers to turn on their boss with control of the Senate on the line.
He warned the allegations could cost Peltola the seat, leaving Democrats unable to block a Supreme Court justice.
“Democrats are where they are. Because they’re afraid of getting yelled at,” Watters said. “Getting yelled at makes you a man. And if you’re not yelled at, you’re not doing anything.”
Compagno quickly jumped in.
“I would like HR to know that he was kidding,” she said.
“I’m not kidding!” Watters shot back.
Co-host Dana Perino then weighed in.
“You need to get it together,” Perino told him.
“I’m not kidding!” Watters repeated.
Perino again said, “You need to get it together.”
“Yeah, they should get it together,” Watters replied.
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