In a heated exchange on social media, Jessica Tarlov, the liberal co-host of Fox News’ The Five, confronted conservative commentator Charlie Kirk over a post she deemed “gross and Islamophobic.”
The controversy erupted as Kirk reacted to the news that Zohran Mamdani was poised to win the Democratic primary for New York City mayor.
Kirk’s post referenced the September 11 attacks, stating, “24 years ago a group of Muslims killed 2,753 people on 9/11… Now a Muslim Socialist is on pace to run New York City.”
This comment quickly drew backlash, with Tarlov responding directly to Kirk’s tweet, urging him to “take it down.”
Kirk defended his remarks, challenging Tarlov to engage in a substantive debate rather than resorting to what he called “petty thought terminating clichés.”
He argued that the actions of radical Islam should not be overlooked and questioned Tarlov’s willingness to confront these issues.
“What Muslim country do you prefer to live in, Jessica?” he asked, framing his argument within the context of historical violence attributed to radical elements within the Muslim community.
Tarlov, however, maintained her stance that her objections were not based on Mamdani’s religion but rather on his political positions.
“I’m not afraid to say that I don’t think Mamdani’s vision for the city is a good one,” she asserted.
Debate me on the merits, don’t just throw out petty thought terminating cliches. This isn’t 2015, that doesn’t work anymore. What Muslim country do you prefer to live in, Jessica? What western city or country has improved as the Muslim population has increased? America’s largest…
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 25, 2025
Tarlov went on to express her belief in the importance of police funding and criticized policies associated with socialism, asserting that her concerns were about governance, not ethnicity or faith.
The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions within conservative and liberal media circles regarding issues of race, religion, and political ideology.
Mamdani, a progressive candidate, has garnered attention for his platform, which stands in stark contrast to traditional Democratic approaches.
Following the primary results, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo acknowledged Mamdani’s victory, stating, “Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won.”
As the political landscape shifts in New York City, the dialogue surrounding Mamdani’s candidacy and the responses from figures like Kirk and Tarlov will likely continue to provoke discussion about the intersection of identity politics and governance.
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