It was supposed to be just another segment on The Five—until Dana Perino’s voice cracked. With the cameras rolling, she cradled the tiny hand of Mateo, a 3-year-old orphan whose parents had died suddenly, and revealed: “I didn’t plan for this… but I promised him I’d never let go.”
Her co-hosts—known for their sharp banter—fell silent. Greg Gutfeld gently rested a hand on Mateo’s shoulder. Jesse Watters blinked hard, struggling to hold back tears. In that moment, a news desk transformed into a family, and millions of viewers witnessed raw, unscripted humanity—something rarely seen on live TV.
A Segment That Became a Revelation
Friday’s episode of The Five started like any other—quick wit, political debates, and the easy camaraderie of a team that had worked together for years. Dana Perino, as always, was poised and professional—sharp blazer, steady voice, the warmth and wit that had made her one of America’s most trusted TV personalities.
But midway through the show, after a lighthearted discussion about autumn traditions, something shifted. Dana paused. Her hands, usually so composed, smoothed the edge of her notes over and over before setting them aside. She looked down, then back up—her blue eyes glistening.
“There’s… something I’ve been keeping to myself,” she began softly, the studio falling silent. “And I think it’s time you met him.”
Before anyone could react, she reached beneath the desk and lifted a small carrier. The cameras zoomed in, revealing a little boy—wide brown eyes, clutching a worn plush dog like it was his only comfort in the world.
Gasps rippled across the set.
“This is Mateo,” Dana said, her voice breaking into a smile. “Two months ago, I became his legal guardian.”
The Story Behind the Silence
For a moment, even Greg Gutfeld—the panel’s resident wit—had no joke ready. Jesse Watters’ mouth hung open. Jeanine Pirro pressed a hand to her chest.
Dana explained: Mateo’s parents—close friends of hers and her husband, Peter—had died in a sudden car crash last spring. The tragedy left Mateo without family in the U.S., and Dana had stepped in quietly, thinking it would be temporary until other relatives could be found.
“But weeks went by,” she said, her voice steadying. “And there was no one. Just this little boy, trying to understand why the people he loved most were gone.”
The decision came one night in June, when she tucked Mateo into bed at her home. He looked up at her, still holding his battered plush dog, and whispered: “Will you be here when I wake up?”
“I didn’t even think,” she said. “I just said yes. And I knew in my heart that meant forever.”
A New Chapter, Live on Air
The last few months had been a whirlwind—preschool enrollment, doctor’s visits, bedtime stories—all while maintaining her demanding TV schedule. She’d kept the news private, wanting Mateo to feel safe and secure before facing the public eye.
“But now,” she said, looking directly into the camera, “he’s part of my life—part of my family—and I want you to know him too.”
Mateo, unfazed by the attention, waved shyly at the camera. Gutfeld leaned over, patted his head, and murmured, “Kid, you just became the coolest person at this table.” Watters blinked hard, visibly fighting back tears. Pirro reached for Dana’s hand under the desk.
When the segment ended, the control room cut to commercial, but the cameras kept rolling. Dana bent down, kissed the top of Mateo’s head, and whispered something too soft for the microphones to catch.
A Moment That Moved Millions
Within minutes, clips of the moment flooded social media. Comments poured in:
“I never cry during The Five—until today.” “Dana just showed what real heart looks like.” “That’s why she’s the class act of Fox News.”
Behind the scenes, a producer revealed the crew had been completely caught off guard. “She didn’t tell anyone she was going to do that on air,” the producer said. “She walked in this morning with that carrier, set it down next to her chair, and didn’t say a word. We all thought she’d brought her dog Jasper again. None of us knew until she spoke.”
For Dana, this wasn’t about headlines or ratings. “I just want him to grow up knowing he’s loved,” she said as the show wrapped. “And if sharing this today helps even one other person open their heart to a child who needs it, then it’s worth it.”
The final image before the broadcast ended? Dana, hand-in-hand with Mateo, walking off set. A small boy with a battered toy, and the woman who promised to never let go.