Jesse Watters' Sexist Outburst on Fox News' 'The Five' Ignites Controversy
During Wednesday's episode of Fox News' "The Five," host Jesse Watters unleashed a series of sexist remarks that quickly drew widespread condemnation. The incident occurred after the show aired back-to-back clips featuring Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). In the clips, Newsom was seen emotionally crying during a press conference about youth community involvement, while Pelosi discussed the potential for a woman to become president, humorously noting she might not see it in her lifetime due to her age.
Watters' Misogynistic Comments Target Women and Newsom
Following the clips, Watters made inflammatory statements, saying, "Well, Nancy says there will not be a female president in her lifetime, and I say thank God. I hope there is not a female president in my lifetime." When co-host Jessica Tarlov questioned him, Watters listed off derogatory reasons, including claims about women lacking "emotional maturity" and "professional contacts in the business world to manage the economy." He further mocked women by asking if they have "the respect of the generals" and suggesting they lack a sense of humor for the presidency, though he later claimed not to believe these things.
Co-Host Reactions and Watters' Continued Attacks
Co-host Greg Gutfeld appeared uncomfortable during Watters' rant, calling him out for trolling for outrage, saying, "You are just jumping off a cliff. Just because you are bored." Undeterred, Watters shifted his focus to Gov. Gavin Newsom, comparing him to a woman and making disparaging comments about his emotional stability. Watters stated, "I believe Gavin Newsom could be the first woman president. Because when I hear him talk, he sounds like a woman. The kind of emotional instability, you don’t know whether he’s having a mid-life crisis, an identity crisis, a crisis of confidence." He continued with personal attacks, suggesting Newsom should see a psychiatrist instead of running for president.
History of Similar Remarks and Public Backlash
This is not an isolated incident; earlier in the week, Watters had similarly compared Newsom to a woman, describing him as "kind of like a woman trapped in a man’s body" and listing stereotypical traits. The repeated sexist comments have sparked outrage among viewers and critics, highlighting ongoing issues with misogyny in media discourse. The episode underscores the need for more respectful and equitable dialogue in public forums, as such remarks perpetuate harmful stereotypes and undermine gender equality efforts.
