On May 6, 2025, Fox News, the conservative media giant known for its provocative political commentary, descended into unprecedented chaos during a live broadcast of The Five. What began as a heated on-air argument between co-hosts Harold Ford Jr., a former Democratic congressman, and Greg Gutfeld, the libertarian-leaning comedian and host of Gutfeld!, exploded into a physical altercation that led to Ford being forcibly removed from the studio. The incident, described as “violent chaos” by witnesses, has sent shockwaves through the network, prompting questions about its internal culture, on-air dynamics, and the pressures of maintaining ratings in a polarized media landscape. This article explores the details of the meltdown, the events leading up to it, the public reaction, and the broader implications for Fox News as it navigates this crisis.
The Incident: A Heated Debate Turns Physical
The altercation occurred during a Tuesday evening taping of The Five, a roundtable show averaging 4.6 million viewers in the first quarter of 2025, making it the top non-primetime cable news program for 14 consecutive quarters. The panel, consisting of Gutfeld, Ford, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and Jeanine Pirro, was discussing President Donald Trump’s recent comments on the U.S. Constitution, specifically his uncertainty about due process rights for non-citizens, as reported in a May 4, 2025, interview with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press. Trump’s remarks, where he stated, “I don’t know,” when asked if non-citizens deserved due process, had sparked widespread criticism, with legal experts emphasizing that the Fifth Amendment applies to all persons, not just citizens.
Ford, the panel’s lone liberal voice alongside Jessica Tarlov, argued that Trump’s comments reflected a dangerous disregard for constitutional principles, especially given the presidential oath to “preserve, protect, and defend” the Constitution. He cited the backlash from political figures who called Trump’s stance a betrayal of his duties, emphasizing the need for accountability. Gutfeld, known for his sharp wit and unapologetic support of Trump, countered by downplaying the issue, echoing sentiments from a March 15, 2025, episode where he told Ford that conservatives must “imprint the memory” of media failures in history. Gutfeld accused Ford of hypocrisy, claiming Democrats had undermined constitutional norms during their own administrations, and mocked Ford’s defense of due process as “virtue signaling to the left.”
The exchange quickly escalated. Witnesses report that Gutfeld’s tone became increasingly personal, with him allegedly saying, “You’re just mad because your party lost, Harold—maybe you should stick to losing arguments instead of pretending to care about the Constitution.” Ford, visibly agitated, shot back, “You can’t even spell ‘Constitution,’ Greg—stop hiding behind your cheap jokes.” The tension boiled over when Gutfeld reportedly stood up, knocking over a glass of water, and shouted an expletive-laden tirade, a behavior consistent with his March 19, 2025, outburst where he told Chief Justice John Roberts to “shut the f— up” over a Trump-related judicial dispute. Ford, in response, pushed back his chair and lunged toward Gutfeld, leading to a physical scuffle.
Security intervened within seconds, but not before the studio devolved into chaos. Papers flew off the desk, microphones were knocked over, and Perino was heard shouting, “Stop it, both of you!” as Watters and Pirro attempted to separate the two. Ford was physically removed from the studio by security, a move that aired live to millions of viewers before the broadcast abruptly cut to a commercial break. The incident, lasting less than two minutes, has since been viewed over 20 million times on X, with clips circulating widely across social media platforms.
The Context: Tensions at Fox News
The clash between Gutfeld and Ford was not an isolated incident but the culmination of mounting tensions within Fox News. Gutfeld, who has become the network’s top-rated host, has a history of provocative behavior. His late-night show Gutfeld! averages 2.5 million viewers and has topped late-night ratings since its 2021 weekday shift, often outpacing Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert. However, his on-air antics have drawn criticism. On March 30, 2025, Gutfeld ranted about the media’s coverage of the “SignalGate” controversy, accusing them of double standards and shouting, “F— you!” to critics, a moment that raised eyebrows even among Fox’s conservative audience.
Ford, a former Democratic congressman from Tennessee, has often been the target of Gutfeld’s barbs on The Five. As one of the panel’s liberal voices, Ford frequently finds himself outnumbered, a dynamic that has led to heated exchanges in the past. On March 13, 2025, Gutfeld blamed inflation on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives while “glaring at Harold,” a comment that Ford later called “absurd” off-air. The April 16, 2025, episode saw Gutfeld downplaying Trump’s wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to a Salvadoran prison, refusing to “care about one illegal alien,” while Ford and Tarlov pushed back, highlighting the human cost of such policies.
The network itself has faced internal strife in 2025. On April 18, 2025, comedian Tyler Fischer, a regular guest on Gutfeld!, claimed he was banned from Fox News after asking a female employee out for coffee, an incident that led to his removal by security and allegations of a “woke mind virus” within the network. Fischer’s claims that rotating guests on Gutfeld! are paid “zero” despite their hard work pointed to underlying tensions over compensation and treatment, suggesting a broader culture of discontent. These incidents, combined with Gutfeld’s increasingly volatile on-air presence, set the stage for the May 6 meltdown.
Public Reaction and Fallout
The public reaction to the incident has been swift and polarized. On X, clips of the altercation have gone viral, with hashtags like #FoxNewsMeltdown and #GutfeldVsFord trending globally. Some viewers praised Gutfeld for “standing up to the left,” with one user writing, “Greg Gutfeld just showed Harold Ford what real debate looks like—love the passion!” Others condemned the violence, with a user stating, “This is a new low for Fox News—Harold Ford Jr. didn’t deserve to be physically removed like that. Gutfeld needs to be held accountable.”
Critics of Fox News have seized on the incident as evidence of a toxic workplace culture. A May 7, 2025, post on X called the network “a circus masquerading as journalism,” while others pointed to Gutfeld’s history of outbursts as a sign of unchecked behavior. Ford’s supporters have rallied around him, noting his role as a minority voice on a predominantly conservative panel. One X user wrote, “Harold Ford Jr. is constantly ganged up on at Fox News—Gutfeld crossed a line, and now Harold’s the one who pays the price.”
Fox News has yet to issue an official statement as of 04:26 PM +07 on May 7, 2025, but sources within the network suggest that both Gutfeld and Ford have been suspended pending an internal investigation. The decision to air the incident live, rather than cutting away immediately, has drawn scrutiny, with some speculating that the network prioritized ratings over professionalism. The abrupt commercial break and lack of on-air explanation have only fueled speculation about the network’s handling of the crisis.
The Broader Implications
The meltdown on The Five has far-reaching implications for Fox News, its hosts, and the media landscape:
For Fox News
The incident threatens Fox News’ reputation as a leading cable news network. With The Five averaging 4.6 million viewers, any disruption to its lineup could impact ratings, especially as competitors like MSNBC and CNN vie for audience share. The network’s silence on the matter risks alienating viewers who expect transparency, while the physical nature of the altercation may invite legal or regulatory scrutiny. The Fischer controversy already highlighted internal discontent; this latest scandal could exacerbate perceptions of a dysfunctional workplace, potentially affecting talent retention and recruitment.
For Harold Ford Jr.
Ford’s removal from the studio, while not indicative of a permanent exit, has placed his future at Fox News in jeopardy. As a liberal voice on a conservative network, Ford has often served as a punching bag for his co-hosts, a role that may have contributed to his frustration. If he leaves the network, either voluntarily or otherwise, it could further homogenize The Five’s perspective, reducing its appeal to moderate viewers. However, Ford’s experience could also position him as a commentator elsewhere, potentially at a network more aligned with his views.
For Greg Gutfeld
Gutfeld’s role as Fox News’ top-rated host gives him significant leverage, but his behavior may finally force the network to address his volatility. His past outbursts, while controversial, have been tolerated due to his ratings success, but a physical altercation crosses a new line. If suspended or fired, Gutfeld’s absence could impact Gutfeld! and The Five, though his loyal fanbase might rally behind him. The incident also risks tarnishing his public image, potentially framing him as a liability rather than an asset.
For the Media Landscape
The meltdown underscores the pressures of live television in a polarized era. Cable news thrives on conflict, but when debates turn physical, they highlight the fine line between entertainment and chaos. The incident may prompt networks to reevaluate their formats, perhaps introducing stricter guidelines for on-air behavior or pre-taping segments to mitigate risks. It also reflects the broader cultural divide, where political disagreements often escalate into personal animosity, a trend amplified by social media and 24/7 news cycles.
A Critical Perspective
While the narrative of Fox News in “total meltdown” is compelling, it’s worth examining the systemic factors at play. Gutfeld’s provocative style is not an accident but a deliberate strategy to drive ratings, a tactic that has made him the most-watched man in late-night television. The network’s tolerance of his behavior—until now—suggests a prioritization of profit over professionalism, a common critique of cable news. Ford’s role as the liberal foil, meanwhile, places him in an inherently adversarial position, where he must constantly defend himself against a majority. This dynamic, while good for drama, can foster resentment, as evidenced by the May 6 clash.
The incident also raises questions about accountability. Gutfeld’s history of outbursts, from his “F— you!” rant on March 30 to his attack on John Roberts on March 19, suggests a pattern that Fox News has enabled. The network’s decision to air the altercation live, rather than cutting away, may have been a calculated move to capitalize on the drama, further eroding its journalistic credibility. Moreover, the focus on Gutfeld and Ford obscures broader issues at Fox News, such as the unpaid labor of Gutfeld! guests, as highlighted by Tyler Fischer, and the lack of diversity in its on-air perspectives.
Conclusion
The violent clash between Greg Gutfeld and Harold Ford Jr. on May 6, 2025, has plunged Fox News into a crisis of its own making. What began as a debate over Trump’s constitutional comments escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in Ford’s removal from the studio and leaving The Five in disarray. As of 04:26 PM +07 on May 7, 2025, the network’s silence and the viral spread of the incident on X have intensified scrutiny, with viewers divided between condemning Gutfeld’s aggression and criticizing Ford’s reaction.
This meltdown is more than a sensational headline—it’s a symptom of deeper issues within Fox News, from its reliance on provocative personalities to its handling of internal dissent. The incident may force the network to confront its culture, but whether it leads to meaningful change remains uncertain. For now, Fox News stands at a crossroads, its reputation on the line as it grapples with the fallout of a broadcast gone horribly wrong. The question is not just how Gutfeld and Ford will recover, but whether Fox News can regain its footing in a media landscape that thrives on chaos as much as it condemns it.
