Jessica Tarlov is a well-known American Democratic political strategist, television personality, and political analyst, particularly recognized for her role as a rotating co-host on The Five on Fox News. Beyond her television presence, she also holds the position of Vice President of Research and Consumer Insights at Bustle Digital Group.
Before she became a familiar face on cable news, Tarlov gathered valuable political campaign experience on an international scale. In 2008, she played a part in Boris Johnson’s successful campaign for London mayor, where she provided research and strategic support throughout the election process.
That same year, she started working as a research assistant for political strategist and Fox News contributor Douglas Schoen. Schoen was impressed with Tarlov’s sharp political insights and encouraged Fox News executives to bring her on-air to share her Democratic viewpoints in a conservative media environment.
Tarlov made her debut on Fox News in 2014 and quickly became a regular guest commentator. Over the years, she has appeared on various network programs, including Hannity, Your World with Neil Cavuto, Outnumbered, Fox & Friends, Kennedy, and Watters’ World. Her growing popularity and strong debating skills led to her becoming an official contributor at Fox News in 2017.
In January 2022, Tarlov was promoted to rotating co-host on The Five, where she often represents center-left political perspectives alongside co-host Harold Ford Jr. and other panelists. This role has made her one of the most prominent Democratic voices on the network.
In March 2024, Tarlov found herself at the center of a legal controversy when Tony Bobulinski filed a $30 million lawsuit against her over comments she made on The Five. During the show, Tarlov suggested that a pro-Donald Trump Super PAC was covering Bobulinski’s legal fees, a claim he denied. The next day, she issued an on-air correction, clarifying that she hadn’t seen any evidence to back up her statement and acknowledged Bobulinski’s denial.
In an October 2024 interview, Tarlov continued to address the fallout from the incident, emphasizing the importance of responsible commentary in political discourse.
Jessica Tarlov Education
Jessica earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Bryn Mawr College. In addition, she has two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in political science and government from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Jessica Tarlov Age
As of 2026, Jessica is 42 years old. She was born on March 9, 1984, in Manhattan, New York, and she celebrates her birthday every year on the 9th of March.
Jessica Tarlov Nationality | Ethnicity
Born in the United States, Tarlov is an American citizen. She identifies with White heritage, but not much else about her ethnic background is publicly available.
Jessica Tarlov Height
She stands around 5 feet 11 inches tall (1.80 m) and weighs approximately 132 lbs. Other details about her body measurements are still being reviewed.
Jessica Tarlov Family
Tarlov is the daughter of Mark Tarlov and Judith Roberts. Her father, Mark, is a film producer and director, while her mother, Judith, is an author. Both of her parents currently live in Manhattan, New York. She also has a sister named Molly Tarlov, who was born on September 12, 1992.
Jessica Tarlov Husband | Wedding
So, who is Jessica married to? Tarlov is happily married to Brian McKenna, a hedge-fund executive who just happens to be her former next-door neighbor. Their love story began during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in April 2021.
Jessica Tarlov shared the exciting news of her engagement to hedge fund executive Brian McKenna during an appearance on Kennedy back in April 2021. Just a few weeks later, the couple tied the knot in a lovely private ceremony. Fast forward to December 2021, and Tarlov and McKenna celebrated a significant milestone in their lives with the arrival of their first daughter, Cleo.
Then, on January 10, 2024, Tarlov announced on The Five that she was expecting her second child, another little girl, set to arrive in April 2024. Just a few months later, on April 15, 2024, she welcomed her second daughter, Teddy, into the world.
Jessica Tarlov Divorce Rumors
There’s no solid proof that Jessica Tarlov is divorced or in the midst of a divorce. The Fox News co-host has recently found herself at the center of online chatter and unfounded claims about her marriage and personal life, many of which she has openly denied.
In July 2025, Tarlov took to social media to address allegations suggesting she cheated on a supposed “first husband” with her current husband, Brian McKenna. These rumors started circulating after Tarlov criticized Republicans regarding their “family values” discussions tied to the divorce of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife, Angela Paxton.
Tarlov firmly dismissed these accusations, labeling them as “disgusting lies.” In her response on X (formerly Twitter), she stated, “Lollll absolutely not true,” while also calling out users for spreading false information about her family and children.
Reports surrounding the controversy highlighted that the attacks on Tarlov quickly turned personal and misogynistic, with critics targeting her marriage and family following her political commentary on The Five. Mental health counselor Hallie Kritsas shared with HuffPost that such attacks often aim to undermine outspoken women in politics and media through gendered accusations and personal smears.
Tarlov is still happily married to McKenna, whom she wed in 2021. The couple is proud parents to two daughters, Cleo and Teddy.
Jessica Tarlov Fox News
Jessica Tarlov is a rotating co-host on The Five on Fox News. Beyond her television presence, she also holds the position of Vice President of Research and Consumer Insights at Bustle Digital Group.
Before she became a familiar face on cable news, Tarlov gathered valuable political campaign experience on an international scale. In 2008, she played a part in Boris Johnson’s successful campaign for London mayor, where she provided research and strategic support throughout the election process.
That same year, she started working as a research assistant for political strategist and Fox News contributor Douglas Schoen. Schoen was impressed with Tarlov’s sharp political insights and encouraged Fox News executives to bring her on-air to share her Democratic viewpoints in a conservative media environment.
Tarlov made her debut on Fox News in 2014 and quickly became a regular guest commentator. Over the years, she has appeared on various network programs, including Hannity, Your World with Neil Cavuto, Outnumbered, Fox & Friends, Kennedy, and Watters’ World. Her growing popularity and strong debating skills led to her becoming an official contributor at Fox News in 2017.
In January 2022, Tarlov was promoted to rotating co-host on The Five, where she often represents center-left political perspectives alongside co-host Harold Ford Jr. and other panelists. This role has made her one of the most prominent Democratic voices on the network.
In March 2024, Tarlov found herself at the center of a legal controversy when Tony Bobulinski filed a $30 million lawsuit against her over comments she made on The Five. During the show, Tarlov suggested that a pro-Donald Trump Super PAC was covering Bobulinski’s legal fees, a claim he denied. The next day, she issued an on-air correction, clarifying that she hadn’t seen any evidence to back up her statement and acknowledged Bobulinski’s denial.
In an October 2024 interview, Tarlov continued to address the fallout from the incident, emphasizing the importance of responsible commentary in political discourse.
What Happened to Jessica Tarlov on The Five?
Jessica Tarlov is still one of the rotating co-hosts on The Five, even though there have been persistent rumors online suggesting she was either fired or taken off the show.
The chatter really picked up in early 2024 when some viral social media posts falsely claimed that Fox News had let Tarlov go due to her liberal views and her frequent debates with conservative co-hosts like Jesse Watters. However, Fox News executives were quick to shoot down those rumors, labeling them as “completely false.”
Another reason viewers were curious about her absence was that Tarlov took a break from the show in 2024 for her second pregnancy and maternity leave. She made her comeback after welcoming her daughter Teddy in April 2024.
Jessica Tarlov Salary
As a contributor for FOX News and the vice president of research and consumer insight at Bustle Digital Group in New York, Jessica earns an annual salary that falls between $180,000 and $256,000.
Jessica Tarlov Net Worth
Jessica is an American journalist and serves as the vice president of research and consumer insight at Bustle Digital Group in New York, with her net worth estimated to be between $1 million and $3 million.