
Thu Jan 08 01:40:00 UTC 2026: # Gutfeld Justifies U.S. Seizure of Venezuelan Oil on Fox News
The Story
On January 6, 2026, Fox News’ The Five co-host Greg Gutfeld defended the United States’ actions in Venezuela, specifically the apparent seizure of Venezuelan oil. Gutfeld framed the controversial move as both “honest” and “good for America,” arguing that “it was our oil.” He further claimed the actions simultaneously “staunched the flow of drugs” and recovered “our oil back,” labeling it “killing two birds with one stone.” The statement comes amid increased scrutiny of U.S. actions in Venezuela, as evidenced by other news reports from the week.
Key Points
- Greg Gutfeld, co-host of Fox News’ The Five, supported the U.S. taking Venezuelan oil.
- He justified the action by stating, “it was our oil.”
- Gutfeld claimed the move served the dual purpose of stopping drug flow and recovering U.S. oil.
- The statement was made on the January 6, 2026, edition of The Five.
Critical Analysis
The provided context reveals a significant and concerning pattern. The enthusiastic support for the oil seizure on Fox News, coupled with the reports of a Fox News guest being “slammed” for questioning actions in Venezuela and a “MAGA mob” descending on someone else for similar reasons, suggests a coordinated effort to promote a specific narrative regarding U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela. The simultaneous appearance of stories involving Aaron Torres and Michael J. Fox appear to be intentionally placed red herrings, likely intended to dilute any further questioning or scrutiny of the stories related to the Venezuela attacks and the justification thereof. This media environment may indicate attempts to normalize aggressive foreign policy and suppress dissent. The timeline, showing increasingly negative reactions toward anyone critical of the Venezuela policy, strongly suggests a deliberate strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Fox News is actively promoting a positive narrative regarding the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan oil.
- There appears to be strong pressure within the media ecosystem to avoid criticizing U.S. policy in Venezuela.
- Gutfeld’s statement normalizes the idea of resource acquisition through potentially aggressive means.
- The events suggest a calculated public relations campaign surrounding U.S. foreign policy.
Impact Analysis
The long-term implications of this event series are substantial. The normalization of resource seizure and the suppression of dissenting voices in the media could pave the way for further aggressive foreign policy actions in the future. This could destabilize international relations, damage U.S. credibility, and potentially lead to conflicts over resources. The impact on Venezuelan sovereignty and its economic future are also significant, and the long term impact cannot yet be fully quantified. The precedent set by this event could also embolden other nations to pursue similar actions, creating a more volatile global environment. A critical focus should be placed on the accuracy of claims made by Gutfeld and others, most especially the claim that drug flow has been stanched in any meaningful or measurable way as a result.