Major Controversies Surrounding Jesse Watters: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Jesse Watters—discover key moments of controversy.

Jesse Watters is an American conservative political commentator and television host on Fox News. He rose to prominence through his "Watters' World" segment on The O'Reilly Factor, known for its man-on-the-street interviews. "Watters' World" later became a standalone show in 2015. Watters joined The Five as a co-host in 2017. In January 2022, he began hosting his own program, Jesse Watters Primetime, on Fox News Channel.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1974: "Kung Fu Fighting" Song

In October 2016, the 1974 song "Kung Fu Fighting" played in the background of a controversial segment of Watters' World.

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2009: Watters Follows and Questions Amanda Terkel

In 2009, while on assignment for The O'Reilly Factor, Jesse Watters and his cameraman followed journalist Amanda Terkel in her car for two hours and questioned her about an article critical of Bill O'Reilly.

October 5, 2016: Watters Tweets Non-Apology

On October 5, 2016, Jesse Watters tweeted what was called a "non-apology" regarding the controversial Chinatown segment, stating his interviews are tongue-in-cheek and regretting if anyone found offense.

October 2016: Criticism for Racist Segment

In October 2016, Jesse Watters faced criticism for a segment on Watters' World that was widely considered racist towards Asian Americans, involving stereotypes and insensitive questions in New York City's Chinatown.

January 2017: Watters Falsely Claims Podesta's Password

In January 2017, Jesse Watters falsely claimed that John Podesta's password was "password," leading to the theft of his emails by Russian hackers. This claim was rated "False" by PolitiFact.

April 2017: Criticism for Lewd Comment About Ivanka Trump

In April 2017, Jesse Watters made an on-air comment about Ivanka Trump that was criticized as lewd after viewing video footage of her speaking on a panel.

2018: Noelle Inguagiato files for divorce

In 2018, Noelle Inguagiato filed for divorce from Jesse Watters after he admitted to an affair.

2019: Watters links Chicago Bulls hat to gang affiliation

In 2019, Jesse Watters controversially supported the Trump administration’s claim that an illegally deported Maryland man was a dangerous terrorist. Watters stated that the man wearing a Chicago Bulls hat meant he was associated with the MS-13 gang, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Watters ridiculed the claim that the man fled El Salvador because his family’s pupusa shop had been shaken down by local gang members.

July 2020: Criticism for QAnon Comments

In July 2020, Jesse Watters' comments about the conspiracy theory movement QAnon drew public criticism after he stated they uncovered "a lot of great stuff". He later released a statement clarifying he does not support or believe in QAnon.

December 2021: Watters Advocates Confronting Dr. Fauci

In December 2021, Jesse Watters advocated for attendees to aggressively confront and question Dr. Anthony Fauci about his alleged funding of gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

November 2, 2023: Watters' Comments on Gaza War Protests

During the November 2, 2023, broadcast of The Five, Jesse Watters stated during a segment about the Gaza war protests that "We've had it with them" referring to the Muslim world, causing condemnation. He added if an Arab American in this country and they ripped down posters of Jewish hostages, American hostages, someone is gonna get punched in the face.

January 2024: Watters Suggests Psyop Conspiracy

In January 2024, Jesse Watters presented a thought without evidence, that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship was part of a "psyop" directed by the U.S. Department of Defense.

July 2024: Watters Claims Men Voting for Women Transition

In July 2024, Jesse Watters said that he "heard the scientists say the other day that when a man votes for a woman, he actually transitions into a woman."

August 27, 2024: Watters' Comments on Kamala Harris

During the August 27, 2024, broadcast of The Five, Jesse Watters commented on Kamala Harris, saying, "We don't know who she is. We don't know what she believes. She's going to get paralyzed in the Situation Room while the generals have their way with her," which led to immediate criticism.

September 2024: Jesse Watters criticized for comments on masculinity

In September 2024, Jesse Watters faced criticism for mocking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on The Five for drinking a milkshake with a paper straw, claiming it was an example of Walz's lack of masculinity. Watters also said asking for a "vanilla shake" instead of a "vanilla ice cream shake" makes men look weak. These remarks sparked backlash for promoting outdated gender norms.

January 2025: Watters Expresses Desire to Invade Canada

During a broadcast on January 2025, Jesse Watters expressed a desire for a military invasion of Canada amidst the backdrop of United States Presidential nominee Donald Trump's comments about turning Canada into America's 51st state. He stated that the fact that they don’t want us to take them over makes him want to invade and quench his imperialist thirst.

March 2025: Jesse Watters lists "five rules for men"

In March 2025, Jesse Watters listed his "five rules for men" on The Five, including not eating soup in public, not crossing your legs, and not drinking from a straw, which he deemed effeminate. He reacted to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's appearance on a podcast, where Walz said that MAGA voters are "scared" of his masculinity. Watters' comments were widely ridiculed.

April 2025: Watters claims screen time feminizes men

In April 2025, Watters stated that sitting behind a screen all day makes men more like women, claiming studies support this. He also said that working outside puts men around other men and away from HR ladies and lawyers, which supposedly gives them estrogen. The statement incited backlash across social media.