Fox News host Greg Gutfeld sparked a heated on-set clash with colleague Jessica Tarlov in recent weeks—one of several confrontations between the two as President Donald Trump’s sinking approval ratings create mounting tension at the network.
The ongoing friction between Gutfeld and Tarlov has intensified as Trump’s approval numbers continue their downward trajectory, creating an awkward dynamic among Fox personalities tasked with defending an administration facing significant public approval challenges.
Gutfeld, who hosts “Gutfeld!” weeknights at 10 PM ET, has repeatedly clashed with Tarlov, a liberal contributor who provides counterpoint perspectives on Fox programming. Their debates have grown increasingly pointed as the network navigates coverage of Trump’s troubled poll numbers.
The tension proves particularly awkward given Trump’s own public fixation on polling data. During a March 27, 2026 appearance on “The Five,” the president directly criticized Fox News’ polling operation, declaring “I hate Fox polls. Honestly, whoever does your polls are terrible.” Trump also claimed he had spoken with Fox Corp chairman emeritus Rupert Murdoch about replacing the network’s pollster—but Murdoch had not done so.
Trump’s complaints came one day after a Fox News poll showed his disapproval rating hitting 59 percent—the highest of either of his two terms. His overall approval stood at just 41 percent. The president joined “The Five” via phone and touted his 100 percent approval rating among self-described MAGA voters while dismissing negative polling as flawed.
The president’s poll struggles have accelerated dramatically since launching the Iran war in late February 2026. According to the Silver Bulletin, Trump’s approval rating dipped below 40 percent for the first time in his second term in early April, with his net approval plunging to -16.9. A CNN poll released April 1, 2026 found his economic approval had crashed to a career-low 31 percent, while roughly two-thirds of Americans said his policies had worsened economic conditions.
The declining numbers have put Fox hosts in a difficult position. Some have acknowledged the administration’s political challenges while others have downplayed or attacked the polling—sometimes contradicting the president’s own complaints about unfavorable data. Insiders say tensions between Gutfeld and Tarlov have simmered for months, with their ideological differences increasingly spilling into personal territory.
Tarlov, who has appeared regularly on “The Five” for several years, serves as one of the show’s few liberal voices. Her willingness to challenge conservative talking points has made her exchanges with Gutfeld appointment viewing for some—and a flashpoint for controversy.
Gutfeld graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in English in 1987. He built his career on political satire and libertarian commentary. Newsweek dubbed him the “King of Late Night” after “Gutfeld!” surpassed all broadcast and cable late-night programs in viewership, including CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.”
In the first quarter of 2026, “Gutfeld!” drew 3 million viewers nightly at 10 PM ET, easily outpacing its late-night competition. The show features regular panelists including Fox News contributor Kat Timpf and comedian Tyrus.
Gutfeld also co-hosts “The Five”, which airs weekdays at 5 PM ET and ranks as cable news’ highest-rated program. The show extended its historic run as the most-watched cable news program for 18 consecutive quarters in Q1 2026, averaging nearly 4 million viewers.
Before his television career, Gutfeld worked as a staff writer at Prevention magazine and served as editor-in-chief of Men’s Health. He later became editor-in-chief of Stuff magazine, increasing circulation from 750,000 to 1.2 million subscribers. He also edited Maxim magazine in the United Kingdom and contributed to the Huffington Post from its 2005 launch until 2008. He joined Fox News Channel in 2007 as a contributor, hosting the late-night show “Red Eye” from 2007-2015 and “The Greg Gutfeld Show” from 2015-2021.
Trump, who was inaugurated for his second term on January 20, 2025, alongside Vice President JD Vance, has watched his approval ratings erode steadily. The Iran war, launched February 28, 2026, sent gas prices past $4 per gallon and rattled economic confidence—undercutting core campaign promises. Multiple polling averages now show the president underwater by double digits.
As President Trump and Vice President Vance approach the midpoint of their first year in office, these polling challenges continue to dominate political discussions both on and off camera at Fox News—the network that helped propel Trump to his initial political success a decade ago.
Neither Gutfeld nor Tarlov have publicly commented on their recent clashes. Fox News has not issued any official statement regarding on-air tensions between the two hosts.