Dana Perino Hints at a “New Member” in the Family – And the Truth Behind the Ultrasound Photo Leaves Everyone Confused About What’s Going On

Dana Perino, the poised Fox News anchor, co-host of The Five, and former White House Press Secretary, has a knack for keeping audiences intrigued. At 53, her 27-year marriage to British businessman Peter McMahon, 70, is a beloved part of her public persona, often celebrated for its warmth and humor. So, when Perino teased a “new member” joining their family during a May 2025 episode of The Five, accompanied by a cryptic ultrasound photo, she sent colleagues and fans into a frenzy of speculation. The eventual revelation—that the ultrasound was a playful scan of their new Hungarian Vizsla puppy’s microchip—left everyone baffled yet charmed, proving Perino’s flair for surprises and her deep love for her canine family.

A Love Story Built on Connection

Perino and McMahon’s romance began in August 1997 on a flight from Denver to Chicago, where a chance seating arrangement sparked a two-and-a-half-hour conversation. Perino, then 25, was captivated by McMahon’s British accent and entrepreneurial stories. Despite an 18-year age gap and long-distance challenges, McMahon proposed in 1998 outside the Washington National Cathedral, and Perino accepted with a heartfelt letter. They eloped in Blackpool, England, on September 30, 1998, building a life in New York and Bay Head, New Jersey.

Their marriage thrives on mutual support. McMahon, president of GreenSleeve Medical Corporation, has been Perino’s steadfast guide through her White House Press Secretary role and Fox News career. The couple chose not to have biological children, a decision Perino has embraced in her book And the Good News Is…, saying, “Our love is complete.” They’ve created a family with McMahon’s children, Barry and Kelly, their grandchildren, Rachel and Sebastian, and their Hungarian Vizslas—Henry, Jasper, Percy, and recently Liberty. Perino’s book Let Me Tell You About Jasper… celebrates their dogs, while her podcast, A Dana Perino Podcast: Everything’s Going to Be Okay, highlights their joyful, child-free life. Recent challenges, including McMahon’s minor stroke in August 2024 and a neurological condition, have deepened their bond, with Perino’s caregiving role showcasing their resilience.

The Cryptic Hint of a “New Member”

On May 19, 2025, during a lively segment on The Five, Perino derailed the usual political banter with a mischievous smile. “Peter and I have some exciting news,” she said. “We’re welcoming a new member to our family!” As her co-hosts—Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Jeanine Pirro, and Harold Ford Jr.—leaned in, Perino held up a grainy ultrasound photo, prompting gasps and wide-eyed stares. “Is that what I think it is?” Pirro exclaimed, while Gutfeld, whose daughter Mira was born in December 2024, quipped, “Dana, at 53? You’re rewriting biology!” Watters, grinning, asked, “Is this a baby or a prank?”

The ultrasound photo, displayed briefly on the studio screen, fueled confusion. Fans on X exploded with theories, posting, “Dana’s pregnant? No way!” and “What’s with the ultrasound? Adoption?” Some speculated about a human child, while others, knowing Perino’s child-free stance, wondered if it was a surrogate or a grandchild. The ambiguity was heightened by Perino’s coy response: “All will be revealed soon!” The segment ended with her colleagues in a state of bewildered excitement, and social media buzzed with hashtags like #PerinoBaby and #UltrasoundMystery.

The Truth Behind the Ultrasound

The confusion persisted until Perino clarified the news on her podcast the following day, May 20, 2025, with a chuckle that echoed her playful side. “Our new family member is Hope, a Hungarian Vizsla puppy!” she announced, revealing that the ultrasound photo was not of a human baby but a veterinary scan used to confirm the placement of Hope’s microchip. “Peter and I thought it’d be fun to throw everyone off,” she admitted, explaining that their vet had jokingly provided the scan, which showed the tiny chip in Hope’s shoulder, resembling a medical ultrasound. “We couldn’t resist the prank!”

Hope, a 10-week-old Vizsla with a spirited personality, joined Percy and Liberty, completing what Perino called “our Vizsla trio.” The puppy was a surprise gift from McMahon, who had been planning it since his recovery gained momentum in early 2025. “Peter said Hope represents our optimism,” Perino shared, noting that the name was inspired by their renewed sense of purpose after his health challenges. The ultrasound ruse, she added, was McMahon’s idea, a nod to his love of surprises, like the time he got arrested walking Henry off-leash in Lincoln Park.

The revelation left colleagues and fans both amused and relieved. On The Five’s next episode, Gutfeld roared with laughter, saying, “Dana, you got us good—Hope’s cuter than any baby!” Pirro, feigning indignation, demanded, “Next time, warn us before you fake a pregnancy!” Watters dubbed Hope “the most famous puppy on Fox,” while Ford praised the couple’s creativity. On X, fans posted, “Dana’s ultrasound prank is iconic—Hope’s the real star!” and “Only Dana could make a microchip scan go viral!” Some expressed awe at the couple’s commitment to dogs, with one user writing, “Hope’s arrival after Peter’s health scare is so heartwarming.”

A Family That Keeps Growing

Hope’s arrival marks another chapter in Perino and McMahon’s dog-centric life. Perino shared that Hope, already chasing Percy and napping with Liberty, has brought “chaos and joy” to their home. “She’s our little spark,” she said, describing how McMahon, ever the doting “dog dad,” spends mornings training Hope with treats. The puppy’s microchip scan, now framed as a memento of their prank, sits on their New Jersey game table, a testament to their humor.

The announcement also highlighted their ability to find fulfillment beyond traditional family structures. “Peter and I don’t need kids to feel whole,” Perino told listeners, echoing her past reflections. “Hope, like Percy and Liberty, is our family.” The ultrasound mystery, while initially confusing, endeared Perino to fans for her playfulness and authenticity. As she continues to anchor The Five and America’s Newsroom, her marriage remains her anchor. The truth behind Hope’s “ultrasound” was more than a prank—it was a celebration of a love that surprises, delights, and grows with every wag of a Vizsla’s tail.