Fox News named Emily Compagno as a full-time co-host of The Five
on August 24, 2026. Beginning September 8, Compagno steps into the weekday roundtable alongside Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, and Jesse Watters, filling a vacancy left after Jeanine Pirro departed for the U.S. attorney post in May 2025.
Moving From Daytime Panel Work to the Flagship 5 PM Hour
Emily Compagno is trading the noon daytime schedule of Outnumbered for a permanent chair on the network’s most-watched program. The promotion places Compagno directly at the table with Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino and Jesse Watters, while Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr. continue to alternate in the show’s designated liberal co-host seat.
The permanent fourth seat has operated with a rotating cast of guest personalities since Jeanine Pirro left the program in May 2025 after President Donald Trump named her interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Compagno’s departure from Outnumbered leaves an open spot alongside Harris Faulkner and Kayleigh McEnany, which Fox News announced will be filled by a rotation of network personalities until a permanent co-host is chosen.
Ratings Dominance and the Viewership Stakes
Any alteration to The Five carries real institutional stakes. The discussion program celebrated its 15-year anniversary in July 2026 and has maintained a massive viewership advantage across cable news.
During the second quarter of 2026, the program averaged 3.6 million viewers and 322,000 in the key 25-54 demographic. That performance marked its 19th consecutive quarter as the highest-rated show in cable news, commanding more than 64% of the audience in its 5 p.m. ET time slot.
Leadership Reactions and Executive Confidence
Network executives emphasized the importance of maintaining on-air chemistry as the program enters a heavy political news cycle ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott pointed to Compagno’s established versatility across multiple network platforms in announcing the appointment.
“Fifteen years later, The Five remains a powerhouse and appointment viewing for millions of Americans. Emily is a highly accomplished host whose energy and talent have made her a standout across FOX News Media, and we are thrilled to officially welcome her to the show.”
Suzanne Scott, CEO of FOX News Media
Compagno expressed gratitude for the new assignment in her official statement following the announcement.
“I couldn’t be more honored to join The Five, a team I have long admired and have been fortunate to work alongside over the years. Having an official seat at the table on what I truly believe is the most fun show on television is an incredible privilege. I am grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get started.”
Emily Compagno, Co-Host of The Five
A Career Built Across Law, Athletics, and Media
Compagno’s path to the flagship roundtable spans several distinct professional chapters. Before joining the network as a contributor in 2018, she practiced law in criminal defense and civil litigation and served as a federal managing attorney and acting director at the Social Security Administration.
Her background also includes serving as a senior judge judicial extern for the late John T. Noonan Jr. at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Outside of legal practice, she was captain of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad, traveled as an international NFL ambassador visiting U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait, and authored the New York Times bestseller Under His Wings: How Faith on the Front Lines Has Protected American Troops
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