Fox News contributor and The Five co-host Jessica Tarlov is under intense scrutiny and facing widespread calls for dismissal following comments she made earlier this week referencing former President Donald Trump. What some defenders argue was political metaphor, critics have labeled “dangerous rhetoric” — especially in light of recent assassination attempts against the GOP frontrunner.

The Comment Sparking a Firestorm

While discussing the 2024 presidential showdown between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Tarlov remarked:

“This is the chance to put the final nail in the coffin so that you don’t have Donald Trump on the ballot again.”

The phrase — a common political idiom — was instantly clipped and circulated online. But given the current climate of political violence and rising threats, many on the right are interpreting it as an incitement, not just a figure of speech.

Prominent conservative X (formerly Twitter) accounts erupted in outrage:

“Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE to speak like this. She needs to be FIRED immediately.”
— @CommonSenseCustodian

“WTF — Democrat strategist Jessica Tarlov incites violence against President Trump.”
— @ProudElephantUS

Others followed suit, slamming both Tarlov and Fox News for continuing to platform her:

“This is why I stopped watching Fox News.”
“Fire Jessica or at least get her help. This isn’t normal.”
“I couldn’t hate this woman more… she ruins The Five every night.”

Context: Recent Assassination Attempts

Tarlov’s comment comes at a time of heightened concern for Trump’s safety. According to law enforcement and confirmed media reports:

Trump has been the target of at least two assassination attempts in the last two months.

A third attempt, according to Florida law enforcement, was thwarted just days ago during Trump’s appearance at a rally in Coachella, California.

Authorities have not confirmed the full details of each incident, but the political atmosphere has grown increasingly volatile.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Trump blamed the Biden-Harris administration directly:

“Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country and they are the ones destroying it.”

The Political Fallout

For many Republicans and Trump supporters, Tarlov’s phrasing only reinforces what they see as a culture of normalized hostility toward conservatives — and Trump in particular.

“The left has spent four years calling Trump a fascist and a dictator,” said one senior GOP strategist. “They’ve demonized him so much that now, when violence happens, they pretend they had nothing to do with it.”

Fox News has not yet issued an official statement about the incident or Tarlov’s status. As of Friday morning, Tarlov’s name remained listed on the network’s schedule, though her future on The Five is now a subject of internal speculation.

“Silencing Speech” or “Crossing a Line”?

While critics demand she be fired, Tarlov’s supporters argue the outrage is politically motivated and deliberately out of context.

“Let’s be clear,” said one anonymous Fox insider. “It was a political metaphor, and we all know it. The outrage is coordinated and designed to discredit her because she’s one of the only liberal voices left on that panel.”

Still, many say that, regardless of intent, language matters — especially when discussing someone who has faced multiple life-threatening situations in a matter of weeks.

Tarlov herself has not yet responded publicly, either through Fox News or on social media.

Florida Governor DeSantis Weighs In

In a separate but related development, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis revealed on Fox News that federal authorities are obstructing his state’s investigation into the most recent alleged assassination attempt.

During a conversation with host Laura Ingraham, DeSantis said state investigators were “rebuffed” when they tried to access evidence near Trump International Golf Club.

“The answer is no, they’re not being cooperative. Yes, I’m concerned,” DeSantis stated bluntly.

The allegation that federal law enforcement is stonewalling a probe has only added to the intensity of the backlash toward Tarlov’s remarks — and reignited speculation that political motives may be seeping into security protocols.

What Happens Next?

Fox News is now facing a difficult choice: back Tarlov amid the growing storm, or remove her in an effort to protect the brand and cool tensions with its core conservative audience.

If Tarlov does issue a statement, it could help clarify her intent — or further inflame the situation, depending on how it’s received.

For now, the backlash is growing. Social media campaigns calling for her firing continue to trend, and several prominent conservative commentators have suggested Fox News is “playing with fire” by remaining silent.

Whether this controversy fizzles or explodes into something larger may come down to what Fox does next — and whether Tarlov addresses the backlash publicly.

One thing’s for sure: the stakes couldn’t be higher. This isn’t just about a TV comment anymore — it’s about political responsibility, media ethics, and the ever-escalating war of words in American politics.