Fox News Hosts Spark Outrage with 'Hotness' Ratings for 2028 Democratic Hopefuls
Fox News host Jesse Watters and his colleagues on The Five have ignited a political firestorm by offering unsolicited commentary on the physical attractiveness of potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential election. The controversial discussion unfolded during Monday evening's broadcast, with Watters bluntly declaring former Vice President Kamala Harris was 'not hot' despite her status as the 2024 Democratic nominee.
Watters Dismisses Harris While Colleagues Clash Over Appearance Politics
"I have to disagree with Dana, I didn't think Kamala was hot," Watters stated directly, responding to co-host Dana Perino who had rebuffed the notion that Democrats simply need an attractive candidate to win elections. "She was ok. But I mean if we're talking hot, she's not hot," Watters added with characteristic bluntness.
The exchange grew more contentious when co-host Greg Gutfeld attempted to steer the conversation toward New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, prompting Watters to abruptly shut down the line of discussion with a terse "I'm not going there."
Bulwark Article Triggers Unusual Political Beauty Pageant
This extraordinary focus on candidate appearance emerged in response to Lauren Egan's recent article for The Bulwark, which suggested Democratic voters increasingly desire conventionally attractive candidates on their ballots. Egan reported that discussions about candidate "hotness" had surfaced repeatedly in conversations with Democratic strategists and former officials.
Democrats have been searching desperately for ways to reconnect with voters after their devastating 2024 electoral losses, which saw Republicans capture the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. Yet the Fox News panel seemed more interested in superficial assessments than substantive policy discussions.
Newsom Deemed 'A Six at Best' as Panel Divides on Strategy
California Governor Gavin Newsom, widely considered a leading contender for the 2028 Democratic nomination and frequently praised for his appearance, received particularly harsh treatment from Gutfeld. "He's like a six at best," Gutfeld dismissively declared, reducing the accomplished politician to a numerical rating.
Co-host Emily Compagno highlighted Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's recent Vox interview, where he was questioned about whether weight loss indicated presidential ambitions. Compagno referred to him as "Peanut Butter Pritzker," further trivializing the political discourse.
Watters Sees 'Progress' in Democrats' Shift to Appearance Focus
"I like the fact that Democrats have gone from like 'We need like a transgender, Native American, amputee' to just 'someone who's hot.' And I feel like that's progress," Watters remarked, drawing criticism for his reductionist comparison.
Perino offered a more substantive counterpoint, noting: "Kamala Harris was an objectively beautiful person, and she couldn't win. So I don't think that's what it is." Her comment highlighted the flawed logic of prioritizing appearance over policy and electability.
Gutfeld Mocks Democrats' 'Embracing Biology' for Candidate Search
Gutfeld took the opportunity to mock Democratic policies, suggesting the party was now "embracing biology" in their search for attractive candidates—a thinly veiled reference to liberal positions on transgender rights and inclusion. "You can find a hot candidate, but who's going to buy it," Gutfeld added skeptically.
Tarlov Pushes Back Against Superficial Political Analysis
Liberal co-host Jessica Tarlov expressed visible frustration with her colleagues' superficial approach to political analysis. "It's not that complicated, they're talking like normal people," she said exasperatedly.
Tarlov highlighted Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff as an example of substance and appearance coexisting effectively: "Jon Ossoff is really good at his job; he's also attractive. Georgia Senate race – now Republicans have all but conceded that they're not going to be able to flip that seat back because he's that good."
She went further, declaring Ocasio-Cortez, Harris, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer were all "very hot," attempting to reframe the discussion while acknowledging the reality of appearance in politics.
Broader Implications for Political Discourse and Media Responsibility
This incident raises serious questions about media responsibility in political coverage and the troubling normalization of appearance-based candidate assessments. While physical presentation has always played some role in politics, the explicit rating of candidates' "hotness" on national television represents a concerning departure from substantive policy discussion.
The controversy also highlights the Democratic Party's ongoing identity crisis following their 2024 electoral collapse. As party strategists reportedly debate whether conventional attractiveness could provide an electoral advantage, critics argue this focus dangerously distracts from more meaningful policy and messaging concerns.
Ultimately, the Fox News segment serves as a stark reminder of how superficial political discourse has become in certain media circles, with complex electoral strategies reduced to simplistic beauty pageant judgments that many viewers find both offensive and politically irresponsible.
