Jessica Tarlov has locked in a new three-year contract with Fox News.
The deal keeps her in place as one of the network’s most prominent liberal voices and guarantees she will continue as a rotating co-host on The Five, a program where the rest of the regular panel leans conservative.
Tarlov confirmed the contract in an interview with Marie Claire, calling it a clear signal that the network values what she brings to the table. “It’s always a great affirmation of your seat at the table,” she said, adding that the agreement tells her she remains “a valued element in this discourse,” even when on-air debates get contentious.
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She first joined Fox News as a contributor in 2017. Since then, she has grown into one of the network’s most recognizable Democratic voices, appearing across both Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. On The Five, she rotates the liberal seat with former Democratic Rep. Harold Ford Jr., while Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and newly permanent co-host Emily Compagno round out the panel.
As originally reported, Compagno officially joined The Five full time on Sept. 8, following her departure from Outnumbered. Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott announced Compagno’s promotion in August, describing The Five as a “powerhouse” and praising Compagno’s energy and experience. That lineup shift did not change the rotating arrangement for Tarlov and Ford.
Tarlov’s new contract does not make her a permanent five-day-a-week panelist. Still, her role gives her a platform that few liberal commentators working at conservative-leaning networks enjoy. She regularly challenges her co-hosts on issues including President Donald Trump, immigration, abortion, elections, and economic policy. Those debates often get heated, with Tarlov frequently serving as the only liberal voice in the room during political segments.
Off camera, though, she says the relationships are warm. Tarlov told Marie Claire that she maintains close friendships with several conservative co-hosts despite the sharp political disagreements on air. She specifically noted that Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld often check in on her after particularly intense exchanges.
That dynamic is central to her upcoming book, “I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends,” set for release Sept. 15. The book draws on her experience navigating professional political combat while preserving the personal relationships on either side of it.
Her visibility has not shielded her from direct criticism by Trump. Tarlov has repeatedly challenged his policies and rhetoric on air, and Trump has responded publicly. In a June 2025 Truth Social post, he called her a liar and a “disgrace” to television. Tarlov told Marie Claire the attack left her emotional.
Despite criticism from some Fox viewers, she has argued that the platform gives Democratic commentators a rare opportunity: making liberal arguments directly to audiences who may be firmly opposed to them. Her new contract suggests Fox sees value in keeping that tension alive.
