History of Jesse Watters in Timeline

Jesse Watters is an American conservative political commentator and television host on Fox News. He gained prominence through his "Watters' World" segment on The O'Reilly Factor, featuring man-on-the-street interviews. In 2015, "Watters' World" became its own show. Watters joined The Five as a co-host in 2017. In January 2022, he became the host of Jesse Watters Primetime on Fox News.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1922: Death of Maternal Great-Great-Grandfather

In 1922, Watters' maternal great-great-grandfather, Morton S. Bailey, a lawyer, politician, state senator and district judge in Colorado, later serving as an Associate Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court in the state capital of Denver, Colorado, passed away.

1950: Birth of David H. Watters

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

1974: Release of "Kung Fu Fighting"

In 1974, the song "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas was released. It was used in the background during the controversial segment of "Watters' World" in October 2016.

Loading Video...

July 9, 1978: Jesse Watters Born

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

2001: Graduation from Trinity College

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

2003: Move to The O'Reilly Factor

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

2004: Watters Begins On-Air Appearances

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

2009: Watters marries Noelle Inguagiato

In 2009, Jesse Watters married Noelle Inguagiato.

2009: Following and Questioning 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.

June 11, 2014: Debut on Outnumbered

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

November 20, 2015: Debut of Watters' World

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

2015: "Watters' World" Becomes a Show

In 2015, Jesse Watters' segment on The O'Reilly Factor, "Watters' World," became its own show.

October 5, 2016: Watters' "Non-Apology" Tweet

On October 5, 2016, Jesse Watters tweeted what was described as a "non-apology" regarding the controversial Chinatown segment, stating he regretted if anyone found offense and that the segment was intended as a light piece.

October 2016: Criticism 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 stereotypes and insensitive questions in New York City's Chinatown.

January 2017: "Watters' World" Becomes Weekly

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

January 2017: False Claim About John Podesta's Password

In January 2017, Jesse Watters falsely claimed that John Podesta, Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, used "password" as his password, leading to the theft of his emails by Russian hackers. PolitiFact rated Watters' claim "False."

April 2017: Becomes Co-Host of The Five

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

April 2017: Joins The Five as Co-Host

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

April 2017: Controversial Comment About Ivanka Trump

In April 2017, Jesse Watters made an on-air comment about Ivanka Trump that was criticized as lewd. He parodied holding a microphone as a phallic symbol while commenting on her voice. He denied the comment was sexual and was absent from the show for two days following the criticism.

2018: Noelle Inguagiato files for divorce

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

March 2019: Watters' divorce is finalized

In March 2019, Jesse Watters' divorce from Noelle Inguagiato was finalized.

August 2019: Watters announces engagement to Emma DiGiovine

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

2019: Watters supports unsubstantiated claim about deported man

In 2019, Jesse Watters controversially backed the Trump administration’s unsubstantiated claim that the illegally deported Maryland man is a dangerous terrorist, suggesting that wearing a Chicago Bulls hat was indicative of being associated with MS-13. He also ridiculed the notion that Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador because his family’s pupusa shop had been shaken down by local gang members, resulting in increasing threats of violence.

July 2020: Criticism for Comments on QAnon

In July 2020, Jesse Watters' comments on QAnon drew public criticism after he stated that QAnon "uncovered a lot of great stuff" regarding Epstein and the deep state. Watters later released a statement saying he does not support or believe in QAnon.

April 2021: Announcement of New Book

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

How I Saved the World

Check it on Amazon

July 10, 2021: "How I Saved the World" Debuts at Number One

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

Check it on Amazon

December 2021: Advocates Confronting Dr. Fauci

In December 2021, Jesse Watters advocated for attendees at a Turning Point USA conference to aggressively confront and question Dr. Anthony Fauci, about his alleged funding of gain-of-function research, leading to calls for Watters's firing.

2021: Watters and DiGiovine have a son

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

January 10, 2022: Announcement as Permanent Host

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: End of Watters' World Program

On January 15, 2022, the "Watters' World" program ended its run, although Watters continues to be a co-host of "The Five".

January 2022: Host of Jesse Watters Primetime

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

January 24, 2022: Debut of "Jesse Watters Primetime"

On January 24, 2022, "Jesse Watters Primetime" debuted, with Jesse Watters as the permanent host.

April 2023: Watters and DiGiovine have a daughter

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

June 2023: Watters Becomes Permanent Host at 8 PM EST

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

November 2, 2023: Controversial Remarks About the Muslim World

During the November 2, 2023, broadcast of The Five, Jesse Watters made controversial remarks about the Muslim world and Arab Americans tearing down posters of Jewish hostages, which were condemned by the White House.

January 2024: Promotion of Conspiracy Theory About Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

In January 2024, Jesse Watters promoted a conspiracy theory, without evidence, suggesting that the relationship between Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce was a "psyop" directed by the U.S. Department of Defense.

March 2024: Publication of "Get It Together: Troubling Tales from the Liberal Fringe"

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: Comments on Men Voting for Women

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: Controversial Comments About Kamala Harris

On August 27, 2024, Jesse Watters made controversial comments about Vice President Kamala Harris during a broadcast of The Five, leading to criticism and a subsequent on-air clarification.

September 2024: Jesse Watters criticized for comments on Tim Walz's masculinity

In September 2024, Jesse Watters received criticism for his remarks on The Five about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Watters mocked a photo of Walz drinking a milkshake with a paper straw, implying it showed a lack of masculinity. He also claimed that women wouldn't like Walz because of it. His comments sparked backlash for promoting outdated gender norms.

2024: Tim Walz appeared on the This is Gavin Newsom podcast

In 2024, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appeared on the This is Gavin Newsom podcast where he stated that MAGA voters were "scared" of his masculinity because he doesn't joke that he can fix a truck. Walz also said that MAGA focused on attacking him for his masculinity "obsessively" during the 2024 presidential election.

January 2025: Comments About Military Invasion of Canada

In January 2025, Jesse Watters expressed a desire for a military invasion of Canada, stating he wanted to "quench my imperialist thirst".

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

In March 2025, Jesse Watters listed his "five rules for men" on The Five, advising men not to be too serious, not to eat soup in public, not to cross their legs, not to drink from a straw, and not to wave with both hands. He argued against drinking from a straw because of how it makes the lips purse, deeming it effeminate.

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

In April 2025, Jesse Watters claimed that "When you sit behind a screen all day, it makes you a woman," asserting a controversial view on screen time and gender roles. He also suggested that physical work environments devoid of HR and lawyers give men estrogen. Jeanine Pirro pushed back on his claims, and the incident sparked widespread backlash.