In a highly charged exchange that has reignited tensions between President Donald Trump and Fox News host Jessica Tarlov, the former president took to social media to slam Tarlov after she reacted to the Midtown Manhattan shooting and called for more gun control. The incident, which unfolded on the latest episode of The Five, saw Tarlov advocate for stronger measures, including an assault weapons ban, leading to a public confrontation with Trump, who didn’t hold back in his criticism.

The Comments That Sparked the Firestorm

The exchange started when Jessica Tarlov, a former Democratic strategist, discussed the shooting incident, in which Shane Tamura entered a Manhattan office building, opening fire and killing four people before taking his own life. Tarlov was quick to call for stronger gun control measures, referring to comments made by Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, who had endorsed the idea of an assault weapons ban.

“We did have an assault weapons ban from 1994 to 2004,” Tarlov said during her segment. “We saw a decrease in mass shootings in this country, 70 percent less likely to happen. And then when the ban sunsetted, it spiked back up.” She also discussed the need to reconsider who is allowed to carry concealed weapons, stating that individuals with documented mental health issues should not be given access to firearms.

Tarlov’s remarks, while part of a larger ongoing debate on gun control, sparked a fiery response from Trump, who seemed particularly agitated by her comments on the shooting and the broader gun control discussion.

Trump’s Response: A “Real Loser”

Within hours of Tarlov’s remarks, Trump took to social media to express his anger, calling Tarlov a “real loser” and expressing frustration over her presence on Fox News. Trump wrote:

“I can’t stand Jessica Tarlov of THE FIVE. A real loser!!! DJT,” Trump’s post read, hitting back at her comments on the shooting and the broader debate over gun control.

The public insult was a direct continuation of Trump’s history of criticism aimed at Tarlov, who is often viewed as the liberal voice on The Five. Trump’s latest outburst comes amid his growing frustrations with the network, which he has criticized multiple times for giving a platform to voices he considers unfriendly to his political views.

Tarlov Defends CNN’s Erin Burnett Amid Controversy

The situation escalated when Tarlov also defended CNN’s Erin Burnett, who was criticized for her early coverage of the shooting. Initially, Burnett had described the suspect, Shane Tamura, as possibly being “white,” even though his appearance didn’t match the initial speculation. Tarlov pointed out that the shooting incident had led to online speculation regarding the perpetrator’s ethnicity.

“I saw all over social media that the perpetrator was of Middle Eastern descent, and people were jumping to that before we found out that actually it wasn’t the case at all,” Tarlov said, offering an apology of sorts for Burnett’s misstep. Tarlov, who has previously worked in political strategy, appeared to want to steer the conversation toward the importance of accurate reporting and avoiding racial assumptions in the aftermath of such incidents.

However, Trump’s ire was not softened, as he made it clear that he viewed Tarlov’s comments as an unnecessary distraction from the broader political issues at play.

Trump’s History with Tarlov and Fox News

This isn’t the first time Donald Trump has publicly clashed with Jessica Tarlov. In June 2025, after Tarlov brought up Trump’s negative poll numbers on The Five, Trump took to social media once again, claiming that Tarlov was a “failed TV personality” who was “soiling” the show. He also lashed out, saying that Tarlov’s voice, manner, and opinions were a disgrace to television broadcasting.

Trump’s disdain for Tarlov has been well documented, with the former president repeatedly accusing Fox News of allowing what he describes as liberal voices to dominate the network’s programming. He’s even gone as far as saying that Tarlov’s presence is a reason that MAGA supporters have turned on the network. “People like Jessica Tarlov make MAGA absolutely hate Fox,” Trump once wrote, reinforcing the division within the conservative audience.

The Larger Debate: Gun Control and Political Divide

Tarlov’s comments about the shooting and gun control were merely a part of the ongoing political battle that has dominated American discourse in recent years. The shooting, which took place in Midtown Manhattan, was a high-profile tragedy, and Tarlov’s call for more gun regulation echoes a broader push from progressive circles to enact stronger policies around firearms.

On the other hand, Trump’s criticism of Tarlov points to a widening ideological rift within not only the media landscape but also the nation at large. Trump’s supporters have long criticized the mainstream media for its liberal leanings, and Tarlov, who frequently represents left-leaning views on The Five, has become an easy target for the former president’s ire.

Conclusion: A Divided Media Landscape

The fallout from Trump’s comments and the larger debate surrounding the shooting highlights the increasingly polarized state of American politics, where even a discussion about a tragic incident can spiral into an ideological clash. For Jessica Tarlov, the backlash from Trump’s words may just be another chapter in her ongoing role as Fox News’ liberal voice, but the personal insults she’s received show the deep animosity that exists in the current media environment.

As for Trump, his continuous attacks on the network and its personalities suggest that his relationship with Fox News remains complicated and filled with tension. Whether this feud escalates or dies down remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Jessica Tarlov is far from backing down, and her ideological battles with figures like Trump are far from over.