Fox News hosts Jesse Watters and Brian Kilmeade found themselves in a heated debate over the perceived attractiveness of U.S. first ladies

A segment on Fox News’ The Five took an uncomfortable turn Wednesday as co-hosts Jesse Watters and Brian Kilmeade engaged in a tense, and sometimes cringeworthy, exchange about how attractive U.S. first ladies are, sparked by a media story involving Vanity Fair.

The discussion started when the panel responded to reports that a Vanity Fair editor supposedly threatened to quit if Melania Trump appeared on the magazine’s cover.Watters challenged the editor’s logic by inquiring, “Was Jill [Biden] on the cover?” “Twice, I think,” Kilmeade replied. Watters seemed stunned.

Watters then asked the question that would push the conversation into contentious waters, “Do you think those two women are prettier than Melania Trump?”

The Five Co-host Kennedy immediately attempted to stop the discussion. “You’re not gonna answer that. Not gonna answer that,” she insisted.

However, Watters persisted. “No, do you think they’re pretty?”

“No, no,” Kilmeade said, refusing to participate. Watters kept going, “Is it not about pretty? Is it about fashion? Because Melania’s also more fashionable.”

Kilmeade eventually answered, declaring, “She’s the most attractive first lady ever. Let’s be honest.”Jesse Watters

Watters playfully added a historical reference, “Martha Washington?” to which Kilmeade responded, “I have not seen her.”

“The problem is when you have portraits instead of pictures. You can’t really get a good look,” Watters continued. “What about Jackie O?” he queried shortly after.

Kilmeade, visibly frustrated, responded, “Alright, what’s your point?” Watters retorted, “What’s my point? What’s your point?!”

Former Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr., also part of the panel, took exception to the entire conversation.

e contended that First Lady Jill Biden’s credentials and public service history, not her looks, deserve media focus.

“You guys were so wrong. She should not be on the cover because she’s an attractive person. I wouldn’t buy it for that,” Ford expressed.

“She clearly is a very thoughtful and smart person. She has a persona because people dislike [President Biden], and she’s attractive. But this is a very serious woman who is working on AI, on mental health, and now children’s issues.”

Wrapping up his comments, Ford told his co-hosts, “You guys were joking, I know, but she’s a serious person doing equally serious things in this second term.”