Fox News host Jesse Watters is facing backlash after making a derisive and personal remark about Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) during a Thursday night segment on The Five.
Watters’ comments came after panelist Emily Compagno criticized Crockett for condemning the Trump administration’s immigration policies and its treatment of immigrants during a congressional hearing earlier that week. Instead of engaging with Crockett’s critique, Watters shifted focus to her personal life.
“I did some research,” Watters said on air. “She’s single, she’s 43, she’s never been married.” (Crockett is 44.)
He continued: “I’m trying to figure out what makes her tick. I think I can set her up with someone. I know a guy in D.C. — he’s white, hopefully that’s not a problem — but he will make her happy. And maybe then she won’t hate everybody else besides herself so much.”
Watters added, “And it would be my pleasure to do it,” with a smirk.
His comment quickly drew widespread criticism on social media, where many labeled it sexist and patronizing. Critics pointed out that Crockett’s relationship status is irrelevant to her role in Congress — and that Watters’ joke leaned into the outdated trope that a woman’s happiness depends on finding a man.
Dr. Kari J. Winter, a professor of American studies at the University at Buffalo, said Watters’ remark was not just sexist, but also racially charged.
“Crockett is frequently targeted with racist and misogynistic attacks,” Winter said. “These types of comments are designed to deflect from the substance of her arguments by reducing her to stereotypes — because her critics don’t want to confront her policy positions.”
She also accused Watters of engaging in “outrage performance,” a tactic often used by far-right figures to distract from the real issues. “They want to rile up viewers, not inform them,” Winter said. “It’s easier to mock a congresswoman’s dating life than defend illegal, harmful immigration policies.”
Licensed clinical social worker Monica Cwynar, who specializes in trauma, said comments like Watters’ are not only inappropriate, but harmful — particularly when directed at women of color.
“These personal attacks don’t just miss the point — they actively undermine meaningful political discussion,” Cwynar said. “They send the message that a woman’s worth is tied to her marital status, and they reinforce damaging societal norms that many of us are working hard to dismantle.”
Cwynar added that even if Watters meant it as a joke, the message is dangerous: “It trivializes a woman’s autonomy and reinforces the idea that being single is a problem to be fixed — especially for women in power.”
As for Crockett, she has not publicly responded to Watters’ remarks. But her supporters say his comments are a prime example of why strong women, especially Black women in politics, face a unique barrage of personal attacks.
“Jesse Watters’ whole shtick is about provoking outrage,” Winter said. “But instead of feeding into it, maybe it’s time we stop giving oxygen to this kind of commentary and focus on the real work — the policies, the ideas, and the people who are actually trying to make a difference.”
