Jessica Tarlov is a popular American political strategist and commentator on Fox News show The Five. She has been on it since 2022 and her absence in 2024 left people wondering, “What happened to Jessica Tarlov?” Contrary to rumours she was fired, Tarlov went on maternity leave to have her second child and remains part of the show.

L-R: Jessica Tarlov attends Fox News’ Super Tuesday 2024 primary election coverage. Tarlov attends the new All-American Christmas Tree lighting at Fox Square. Photo: Roy Rochlin, Alexi Rosenfeld
Source: Getty Images

Key takeaways

Jessica Tarlov’s absence from Fox News show The Five was due to maternity leave.
Tarlov is a democratic party political strategist who provides left-leaning views on a show favouring right-leaning rhetoric.
She started her career at Fox News as a frequent guest and in 2017, was officially hired as a contributor.
Tarlov holds two master’s degrees in political science and public policy and a PhD in Government from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Tarlov worked on Boris Johnson’s 2012 London mayoral campaign as the communications and digital strategist.

Jessica Tarlov’s profile summary

Full names
Jessica Tarlov

Place of birth
New York City, New York, United States

Date of birth
March 9, 1984

Age
41 (as of 2025)

Zodiac sign
Pisces

Current residence
New York

Nationality
American

Sexuality
Straight

Religion
Christianity

Height in feet and inches
5’11”

Height in metres
1.80

Weight in pounds
127

Weight in kilograms
58

Ethnicity
White

Relationship
Married

Spouse
Briana Mckenna

Children
Cleo Markie McKenna, Teddy TarlovMcKenna

Father
Mark Tarlov

Mother
Judith Robert

Education
Bryn Mawr College, London School of Economics

Profession
Political commentator, analyst, strategist

X
@JessicaTarlov

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What happened to Jessica Tarlov?

On February 8, 2024, an X user, @DougWahl1, claimed that Jessica Tarlov was fired from Fox News for her left-leaning political views on The Five. This coincided with her appearance on the HBO Series “Real Time with Bill Maher”, strengthening the rumours.

However, the senior executive vice president of corporate communications for Fox News Media, Irena Briganti, rubbished the reports as she confirmed to Yahoo that the rumour was “completely false.”

In January 2024, The Five co-host announced she was expectant and was due in April. She delivered her second child, a girl named Teddy Tarlov McKenna. This was not the first time she took a break from TV to expand her family.

In 2021, her co-host Dana Perino led her to reveal she was expecting her first child as they discussed new things they tried during the pandemic lockdown. In December 2021, Tarlov gave birth to her daughter Cleo Markie McKenna.

Five facts about Jessica Tarlov. Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images (modified by author)
Source: Original

Jessica Tarlov’s career

According to her LinkedIn profile, Tarlov began her career in 2007 as a project manager at Merrill Lynch.

She then worked as a research assistant for Douglas Schoen, an American political analyst, author and lawyer, looking into the U.S. election system, focusing on campaign finance and electoral college reform.

In 2012, Tarlov worked on Boris Johnson’s campaign as a communications and digital strategist. The same year, she returned to work for Douglas Schoen as a political strategist and two years later, began appearing on Fox News as a guest.

This resulted in a deal with the network in 2017, making her a full-time contributor. In 2022, she was named a rotating co-host of The Five alongside Harold Ford Jr.

In addition to her television duties, Tarlov is the senior vice president of research and consumer insight at Bustle Digital Group.

L-R: Jessica Tarlov attends the 2023 FOX Nation Patriot Awards. Jeanine Pirro, Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters attend Fox News’ “The Five” at Fox News Studios. Photo: Terry Wyatt, John Lamparski
Source: Getty Images

FAQs

Is Jessica Tarlov a Democrat? Yes, Jessica Tarlov is the Democratic Party political strategist and liberal commentator on Fox News show The Five.
Did Jessica Tarlov have her baby? Yes, Jessica Tarlov delivered a girl in April 2024.
Was Jessica Tarlov fired? No, Jessica Tarlov was not fired from Fox News.
How much does Fox News pay Jessica Tarlov? Fox News pays Jessica Tarlov reportedly $900,000.
Does Jessica Tarlov have a husband? Yes, Jessica Tarlov is married to Brian McKenna. They tied the knot in 2021.
How many children does Jessica have? Jessica has two children: Cleo Markie McKenna and Teddy Tarlov McKenna.
What brand of eyeglasses does Jessica Tarlov wear? Jessica Tarlov wears Retrosuperfuture’s ‘Numero 26’ eyeglasses.
Are Jessica and Morly Tarlov related? Yes, Morly Tarlov is Jessica’s sister.

Final words

Dedicated fans of the Fox News show The Five who were wondering, “What happened to Jessica Tarlov” will be relieved that she is still on the network. Tarlov went on maternity leave which led to her absence on air, rendering rumours she was fired baseless.

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