Gutfeld!’s Airtime Shift and Greg Gutfeld’s Retirement Rumors: Fact or Fiction?
By [Your Name], May 3, 2025
Greg Gutfeld, the provocative host of Fox News’ Gutfeld! and co-host of The Five, has been at the center of swirling rumors following the birth of his second child at age 60. The latest claims suggest that Gutfeld! has abruptly changed its airtime and that Gutfeld, after welcoming his son Leo Alexander with wife Elena Moussa, is planning to retire to focus on his growing family. These reports, allegedly backed by “sources close to the show,” have sent fans into a frenzy on platforms like X, with speculation ranging from scheduling shakeups to Gutfeld’s complete exit from Fox News. This article investigates the validity of these claims, the context of Gutfeld’s family and career, and whether retirement is truly on the horizon.
The Airtime Change: What’s the Evidence?
The rumor of Gutfeld! changing its airtime appears to stem from unverified posts on X, which claimed in late April 2025 that the show, typically airing weeknights at 10:00 P.M. ET, had shifted to a new slot, possibly 11:00 P.M. or a weekend format. These posts cited “insider sources” but lacked specifics, and no official announcement from Fox News or Gutfeld’s team has confirmed a change. The show’s website and Fox News’ schedule, as of May 3, 2025, still list Gutfeld! at 10:00 P.M. ET, Monday through Friday, with reruns on weekends.
The confusion may trace back to Gutfeld’s March 2025 absence from The Five, which sparked speculation about his commitments, or to Fox News’ occasional preemptions for special coverage, such as Inauguration Day 2025, when Gutfeld! was briefly replaced. A one-off schedule tweak could have been misreported as a permanent shift. Additionally, Gutfeld’s new Fox Nation series, What Did I Miss?, premiering May 12, 2025, has led some to speculate that Fox is repositioning his flagship show to accommodate new projects. However, Fox News’ history of maintaining Gutfeld!’s prime slot—where it averages 3.1 million viewers and leads cable news in the 25–54 demographic—makes a sudden airtime change unlikely without significant fanfare.
Retirement Rumors: Gutfeld’s Plans Post-Baby
The more explosive claim is that Gutfeld, after welcoming Leo in late 2025, is planning to retire. The rumor gained traction after a May 1, 2025, Gutfeld! episode where Gutfeld displayed an ultrasound photo, confirming Moussa’s pregnancy with their second child, named Leo Alexander. His comment, “We said we wouldn’t have kids, but life has a twist,” coupled with his purchase of a $12.8 million Palm Beach mansion in March 2025, has fueled speculation that Gutfeld is preparing to step back from his demanding career to focus on fatherhood.
Sources allegedly close to the show, cited in tabloid-style reports, claim Gutfeld has discussed “scaling back” with Fox News executives, possibly exiting Gutfeld! by 2026 to relocate to Florida with Mira, Leo, and Moussa. These reports point to his recent reflections on fatherhood, where he admitted on The Five that parenting forced him to “unlearn” selfishness and prioritize others, a lesson he learned late at 60. His March Instagram posts, showing a family-oriented life with Moussa and Mira in New York, and his emotional comments about his bulldog Gus’s adjustment to Mira, add weight to the idea that family is now his focus.
However, there’s no concrete evidence supporting retirement. Gutfeld’s April 2024 contract extension with Fox News commits him to Gutfeld! and The Five through at least 2027, and his 2025 schedule is packed, including a 12-city “Gutfeld Live” tour ending October 5 and the What Did I Miss? premiere. Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott has called Gutfeld a “cornerstone,” and his shows drive the network’s dominance, with The Five averaging 4.6 million viewers and Gutfeld! outperforming broadcast late-night competitors. A retirement announcement would be a seismic shift, and Gutfeld’s team has not commented, suggesting the rumor may be overblown.
Context: Gutfeld’s Family and Career Balance
Gutfeld’s personal life has undergone a dramatic transformation. After years of championing a childless lifestyle—joking in 2015 that his dog was his “child”—he and Moussa welcomed Mira in December 2024, followed by Leo’s expected arrival. The couple’s $10.5 million SoHo loft, bought in July 2024, and the Palm Beach mansion indicate preparations for a larger family, with the Florida property’s five bedrooms and nursery suggesting a long-term base. Gutfeld’s reliance on Moussa, whom he’s called the “real MVP” for her hands-on parenting, allows him to maintain his career while embracing fatherhood.
Professionally, Gutfeld is at his peak. Gutfeld!’s move to 10:00 P.M. in 2022 cemented its status as a ratings juggernaut, and The Five remains cable’s top show. His 46-day paternity leave for Mira’s birth in 2024 caused fan backlash when guest hosts like Kat Timpf and Tyrus filled in, underscoring his irreplaceable role. A second leave for Leo’s birth could strain Gutfeld!’s momentum, but Fox News is likely to manage it with temporary hosts like Tom Shillue, who’s joining Gutfeld’s 2025 tour. Retirement seems improbable given Gutfeld’s recent comments on The Five about enjoying his “dual life” as a host and father, and his multi-year contract suggests stability.
Public Reaction and Skepticism
The rumors have polarized fans. On X, some embrace the retirement narrative, with posts like, “Greg’s got two kids now and a Florida mansion—time to retire and enjoy life!” Others dismiss it as “clickbait,” citing his contract and busy schedule. One user wrote, “Gutfeld retiring? No way. He’s Fox’s golden goose.” Critics, wary of his provocative style, speculate he’s using the baby news for publicity, especially after the ultrasound controversy sparked stunt theories. The airtime change rumor has less traction, with fans noting Fox’s consistent scheduling and Gutfeld’s social media posts promoting Gutfeld!’s 10:00 P.M. slot.
Skeptics argue the retirement rumor originates from misinterpretations of Gutfeld’s family focus. His purchase of the Palm Beach mansion, seen by some as a “retirement home,” is more likely a seasonal retreat or investment, given his history of real estate deals, like renting his former Manhattan loft for $24,000 monthly. The lack of credible sources—relying on vague “insiders”—and Gutfeld’s trolling tendencies, like his ambiguous “life has a twist” comment, suggest the rumors may be exaggerated for attention.
Cultural and Industry Implications
Gutfeld’s potential retirement would shake Fox News, where he’s a key driver of younger viewers (25–54 demographic). His late-in-life parenthood, at 60 with a second child, challenges cultural norms, resonating with fans who see him as defying convention. The airtime rumor, though unconfirmed, reflects broader anxieties about Fox News’ programming stability amid a politically charged 2025 under a new Trump administration. If Gutfeld were to retire, replacing him on Gutfeld! would be daunting, as fan reactions to guest hosts in 2024 showed. The Five’s ensemble format is more resilient, but his exit would alter its dynamic.
Conclusion: Rumors Over Reality
The claims of Gutfeld! changing airtime and Gutfeld planning retirement appear largely unfounded. No evidence supports a schedule shift, with Fox News maintaining Gutfeld! at 10:00 P.M. ET, likely due to its ratings strength. Retirement rumors, while fueled by Gutfeld’s second child and Florida mansion purchase, contradict his long-term Fox News contract, packed 2025 schedule, and lack of official confirmation. Gutfeld’s history of provoking speculation—seen in the ultrasound reveal—suggests he may be leaning into the buzz for publicity. As he balances fatherhood with his media empire, Gutfeld remains a central figure at Fox News, and fans should expect him to stay in the spotlight, not retire, for the foreseeable future.