History of Jesse Watters in Timeline

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, which evolved into its own show in 2015. Watters became a co-host of The Five in 2017 and launched his own program, Jesse Watters Primetime, in 2022. He is also the author of "How I Saved the World" and "Get It Together: Troubling Tales from the Liberal Fringe."

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1922: Death of Morton S. Bailey

In 1922, Morton S. Bailey, Jesse Watters' maternal great-great-grandfather, who was a lawyer, politician, state senator, district judge, and Associate Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court, died.

1950: David H. Watters Born

In 1950, David H. Watters, Jesse Watters' uncle, was born. He is a Democrat and a New Hampshire state senator.

1974: Kung Fu Fighting Release

In October 2016, Watters was criticized for a segment of Watters' World that was widely considered racist toward Asian Americans, and the 1974 song "Kung Fu Fighting" played in the background.

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July 9, 1978: Jesse Watters Born

On July 9, 1978, Jesse Bailey Watters was born. He is an American conservative political commentator and television program host on the Fox News cable television network.

2001: Watters Graduated From Trinity College

In 2001, Jesse Watters graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

2003: Watters Moved to The O'Reilly Factor

In 2003, Jesse Watters joined the production staff of "The O'Reilly Factor".

2004: Watters Began On-Air Appearances

In 2004, Jesse Watters began appearing on air in segments of Bill O'Reilly's show, "The O'Reilly Factor".

2009: Jesse Watters marries Noelle Inguagiato

In 2009, Jesse Watters married Noelle Inguagiato and they had twin daughters.

June 11, 2014: Watters Debuted on Outnumbered

On June 11, 2014, Jesse Watters debuted on the Fox News Channel show, "Outnumbered," later appearing occasionally as a guest co-host.

November 20, 2015: Watters Debuted Watters' World

On November 20, 2015, Jesse Watters debuted his own monthly Fox News program, "Watters' World".

2015: Watters' World Became Its Own Show

In 2015, Jesse Watters' segment "Watters' World," which featured man-on-the-street interviews, became its own show.

October 5, 2016: Watters Responded to Criticism

On October 5, 2016, Jesse Watters tweeted what was described as a "non-apology" regarding the controversial Chinatown segment, stating that the interviews were meant to be "tongue-in-cheek" and he regretted if anyone found offense.

October 2016: Watters Criticized for Racist Segment

In October 2016, Jesse Watters was criticized for a segment of "Watters' World" that was widely considered racist toward Asian Americans. The segment involved asking Chinese Americans in New York City's Chinatown stereotypical questions and included references to martial arts and the song "Kung Fu Fighting".

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January 2017: Watters' World Became Weekly Show

In January 2017, "Watters' World" became a weekly show, airing Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET.

January 2017: Watters Made False Claim

In January 2017, Jesse Watters falsely claimed that John Podesta's password was "password", regarding the theft of Podesta's emails.

April 2017: Watters Joined The Five as Co-Host

In April 2017, Jesse Watters became a co-host of the roundtable series "The Five".

April 2017: Watters Became Co-Host of The Five

In April 2017, Jesse Watters became a co-host of the roundtable series "The Five."

April 2017: Watters' Lewd Comment

In April 2017, two days after joining The Five, Jesse Watters made a comment about Ivanka Trump that was criticized as lewd, resulting in him being off the show for two days.

2018: Noelle Inguagiato files for divorce after Watters' affair

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

March 2019: Jesse Watters' divorce from Noelle Inguagiato finalized

In March 2019, the divorce between Inguagiato and Jesse Watters was finalized.

August 2019: Jesse Watters announces engagement to Emma DiGiovine

In August 2019, Jesse Watters announced his engagement to Emma DiGiovine.

2019: Watters Backs Trump's Claim Linking Deported Man to MS-13 Gang Based on Chicago Bulls Hat

In 2019, Jesse Watters controversially supported the Trump administration’s claim that a deported Maryland man was a dangerous terrorist, suggesting that the man's Chicago Bulls hat indicated gang affiliation. Watters questioned why Garcia wore a Bulls hat while living in Maryland and being from El Salvador, implying a connection to MS-13. He also dismissed the man's claim of fleeing gang violence in El Salvador.

July 2020: Watters Commented on QAnon

In July 2020, Jesse Watters' comments on his show about the conspiracy theory movement QAnon drew public criticism. He later stated that he does not support or believe in the group.

April 2021: How I Saved the World Book Announced

In April 2021, HarperCollins announced the upcoming publication of Jesse Watters' book, "How I Saved the World."

How I Saved the World

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July 10, 2021: How I Saved the World Debuts

On July 10, 2021, Jesse Watters' book, "How I Saved the World", debuted at number one on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list.

How I Saved the World

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2021: Jesse Watters and Emma DiGiovine have a son

In 2021, Jesse Watters and Emma DiGiovine had a son together.

January 10, 2022: Watters To Host Jesse Watters Primetime

On January 10, 2022, it was announced that Jesse Watters would become the permanent host of a new primetime show, titled "Jesse Watters Primetime".

January 15, 2022: Watters' World Ended Its Run

On January 15, 2022, Jesse Watters' program "Watters' World" ended its run, though Watters continued as a co-host of "The Five".

January 2022: Watters Hosted Jesse Watters Primetime

In January 2022, Jesse Watters became the host of his own program, "Jesse Watters Primetime" on the Fox News Channel.

January 24, 2022: Jesse Watters Primetime Debuted

On January 24, 2022, "Jesse Watters Primetime" debuted.

April 2023: Jesse Watters and Emma DiGiovine have a daughter

In April 2023, Jesse Watters and Emma DiGiovine had a daughter together.

June 2023: Watters Named Permanent Host

In June 2023, Fox News announced Jesse Watters as the permanent host of the network's 8 p.m. EST hour.

November 2, 2023: Watters Made Controversial Statements

During the November 2, 2023, broadcast of The Five, Jesse Watters made controversial statements about the Muslim world and Arab Americans in relation to the Israel–Hamas war protests. His statements were condemned by the White House.

January 2024: Watters Proposed Psyop Theory

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

March 2024: Get It Together Published

In March 2024, Jesse Watters' second book, "Get It Together: Troubling Tales from the Liberal Fringe", was published by Broadside Books.

Get It Together: Troubling Tales from the Liberal Fringe

Check it on Amazon

July 2024: Watters Made Controversial Comments

In July 2024, Jesse Watters stated 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 Criticized for Kamala Harris Comments

During the August 27, 2024, broadcast of The Five, Jesse Watters commented on Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, "We don't know who she is..." and received immediate criticism for the comment.

September 2024: Jesse Watters criticized for comments about Tim Walz

In September 2024, Jesse Watters faced criticism for comments made on The Five regarding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Watters mocked Walz for drinking a milkshake with a paper straw, claiming it demonstrated a lack of masculinity and that women would dislike Walz because of it. He also ridiculed Walz for ordering a "vanilla shake" instead of a "vanilla ice cream shake," suggesting it made him appear weak. The remarks drew backlash for promoting outdated gender norms. Governor Walz responded by defending his post and urging a focus on important issues.

April 2025: Jesse Watters makes controversial comments about masculinity and screen time

In April 2025, Jesse Watters said that "When you sit behind a screen all day, it makes you a woman, Studies have shown this," and repeated the claim. Watters also stated that physical work environments, free from HR and lawyers, increase testosterone levels. The comments were made during a discussion about the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs on masculinity. The incident sparked backlash on social media.