It was supposed to be just another lively segment on Fox News’ The Five, with its signature blend of fiery debate, sharp wit, and political banter. But on the evening of August 18, 2025, the studio fell into a hush that reverberated across millions of living rooms. Dana Perino, the poised former White House Press Secretary and beloved co-host, stood at the center of the set, her voice trembling as she held the tiny hand of a three-year-old boy named Mateo. In a moment that shattered the show’s usual rhythm, Perino revealed she had become the legal guardian of this orphan, whose parents died tragically in a car accident. “I didn’t plan for this… but I promised him I’d never let go,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. Her co-hosts—Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Jeanine Pirro, and Jessica Tarlov—sat speechless, their eyes glistening. Gutfeld gently placed a hand on Mateo’s shoulder, while Watters looked away, visibly choked up. In an instant, a news desk transformed into a family, delivering a raw, heart-wrenching display of humanity rarely seen on live television. This is the story of how a little boy changed Dana Perino’s life—and captivated a nation.
The scene unfolded during a segment meant to discuss community resilience in the face of rising crime rates, a topic The Five had tackled countless times. Perino, known for her calm professionalism and incisive commentary, had been unusually quiet as the discussion began. Viewers at home might have noticed her fidgeting, her hands clasped tightly under the desk. Then, as the conversation paused, she took a deep breath and asked the producers for a moment to share something personal. The cameras stayed on, and the studio lights seemed to dim around her as she began to speak.
“I need to introduce someone very special to you all,” Perino said, her voice soft but steady. She reached down, and a small boy with wide, curious eyes and a mop of dark curls stepped into view, clutching a stuffed dinosaur. The audience gasped as Perino lifted him onto her lap. “This is Mateo,” she continued, her words catching in her throat. “He’s three years old, and he’s been through more than any child should. His parents were taken from him in a terrible accident six months ago. I met him through a charity I work with, and… well, I’m his guardian now. He’s changed my life forever.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Gutfeld, the show’s resident comedian, known for his quick quips, leaned forward, his usual smirk replaced by a look of quiet respect. He rested a hand on Mateo’s shoulder, whispering something inaudible to the boy, who giggled softly. Watters, typically brash and outspoken, stared at the desk, blinking rapidly as if fighting back tears. Pirro, the fiery former judge, reached for Perino’s hand, her face a mix of awe and emotion. Tarlov, the panel’s liberal voice, wiped her eyes and mouthed, “Wow.” For a show built on spirited debate, this was a moment of unity, a rare glimpse into the hearts of its hosts.
Perino’s journey to this moment began in early 2025, when she volunteered with Companions for Heroes, a nonprofit she’s supported for years, which pairs veterans and first responders with rescue animals to aid in healing from PTSD. The organization had recently expanded its mission to support children in crisis, particularly those orphaned by sudden tragedies. It was during a visit to a foster care facility in New Jersey that Perino met Mateo, a shy toddler who had lost his parents—a nurse and a firefighter—in a devastating car crash on the Garden State Parkway. The accident, caused by a drunk driver, left Mateo alone, bouncing between temporary foster homes. “He was so quiet, just holding that dinosaur,” Perino later shared on her podcast, Perino on Politics. “But when he looked at me, I felt something shift. I knew I couldn’t walk away.”
What followed was a whirlwind of soul-searching for Perino, 53, and her husband, Peter McMahon, 70. The couple, married since 1998 after meeting on a flight, had never had children, a choice Perino discussed openly in her 2025 book, I Wish Someone Had Told Me…. “I always thought my career was my legacy,” she wrote. “But meeting Mateo showed me there’s more to life than a byline or a broadcast.” The decision to pursue guardianship wasn’t easy. McMahon, a British businessman, was initially hesitant, citing their age difference and demanding schedules. But after spending time with Mateo, he, too, was smitten. “He’s got this spark,” McMahon told People magazine in a recent interview. “He’d toddle over with that dinosaur and climb into my lap. How do you say no to that?”
The legal process was grueling. Perino and McMahon navigated a maze of court hearings, home visits, and background checks, all while keeping their plans private. “We didn’t tell anyone, not even my closest friends at Fox,” Perino revealed on air. “I wanted to protect Mateo until it was official.” In July 2025, a New Jersey family court granted them guardianship, a step short of adoption but one that made Perino and McMahon Mateo’s legal protectors. The judge, moved by Perino’s commitment, reportedly told her, “This child is lucky to have you.” Perino disagreed: “No, I’m the lucky one.”
Back on The Five, the emotional weight of Perino’s announcement was palpable. As she shared Mateo’s story, she recounted how he’d begun to call her “Dada”—a nickname that melted her heart. “He doesn’t understand everything yet,” she said, stroking his hair. “But I promised him I’d never let go, and I mean it.” The camera panned to her co-hosts, who were visibly struggling to maintain composure. Gutfeld, breaking the silence, said softly, “Dana, you’re a hero. This kid’s got the best guardian in the world.” Pirro, her voice cracking, added, “This is what love looks like. God bless you both.” Watters, regaining his composure, quipped, “I’m not crying, it’s just allergies,” drawing a laugh from the audience and lightening the mood.
The moment went viral, with clips of Perino and Mateo flooding X, TikTok, and Instagram. Hashtags like #DanaAndMateo and #TheFiveFamily trended globally, amassing over 10 million posts within hours. Viewers shared their own stories of adoption and guardianship, with one X user writing, “Dana Perino just showed us what it means to step up. Mateo’s got a family now, and I’m bawling.” Another posted, “This is why The Five is different—they’re real people, not just talking heads.” The outpouring of support was overwhelming, with fans mailing stuffed dinosaurs to Fox News studios and launching a fundraiser for Companions for Heroes that raised $500,000 in 48 hours.
But not everyone was moved. Some online critics questioned Perino’s motives, accusing her of using Mateo for publicity. A Reddit thread titled “Dana’s Stunt or Sincere?” garnered 1,200 comments, with some users speculating the reveal was timed to boost The Five’s ratings, which had dipped slightly amid competition from Newsmax. Others pointed to Perino’s conservative politics, arguing her guardianship was a calculated move to soften her image. “She’s playing the saint card,” one user wrote. “Convenient timing with the election cycle.” Perino brushed off the criticism on her podcast, saying, “I don’t care what they think. This isn’t about me—it’s about giving Mateo a home.”
The backlash was drowned out by an avalanche of praise. Fox News colleagues rallied around Perino, with America’s Newsroom co-anchor Bill Hemmer calling her “a role model for compassion.” Sean Hannity dedicated a segment to her decision, saying, “This is what America’s about—people stepping up for those who need it most.” Even liberal commentators, often at odds with Perino’s politics, expressed admiration. CNN’s Jake Tapper tweeted, “Politics aside, Dana Perino’s choice to take in Mateo is beautiful. That’s humanity at its best.”
Mateo’s story has also sparked a broader conversation about the foster care system. In the U.S., over 400,000 children are in foster care, with nearly 100,000 awaiting permanent homes. Perino, leveraging her platform, has called for reform, advocating for streamlined adoption processes and more support for foster parents. “Mateo was lucky to have us, but so many kids are waiting,” she said on The Five the following day. “If I can inspire one person to open their heart, that’s enough.” Her advocacy has drawn attention from lawmakers, with Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) inviting her to speak at a Capitol Hill hearing on foster care reform in September 2025.
Behind the scenes, Perino and McMahon are adjusting to their new reality. Friends describe their home in Bay Head, New Jersey, as a “haven” for Mateo, filled with toys, books, and a backyard where he chases their dog, Jasper. “Dana’s a natural,” a close friend told us. “She’s reading him bedtime stories, teaching him to count, and yes, she’s already got him watching The Five reruns.” McMahon, who initially worried about the demands of parenting, has embraced his role, building a sandbox with Mateo and joking about “retiring to be a full-time dinosaur wrangler.”
The emotional impact on The Five’s panel has lingered. Gutfeld, in a rare serious moment, wrote a column for Fox News Digital titled “Why Mateo Matters,” reflecting on how the reveal reminded him of life’s bigger picture. “We argue about politics, but kids like Mateo are what we’re fighting for,” he wrote. Watters, who welcomed his fourth child in 2024, admitted on air, “Seeing Dana with Mateo hit me hard. It’s a reminder to hold your kids tight.” Tarlov, a mother of two, organized a playdate for Mateo with her daughters, sharing a photo on Instagram captioned, “New best friends!”
As for Mateo, he’s thriving, unaware of the media storm he’s sparked. Perino shared a story on her podcast about his first day at preschool, where he proudly showed off his dinosaur to classmates. “He’s got this resilience,” she said. “He’s teaching me more than I’m teaching him.” The future holds uncertainties—Perino and McMahon are considering adoption—but for now, they’re focused on giving Mateo stability. “He’s our family,” Perino said simply.
The The Five moment has become a cultural touchstone, replayed on talk shows and dissected by commentators. It’s a reminder that even in a polarized world, a single act of love can unite millions. As Perino cradled Mateo on live TV, she didn’t just introduce a child—she introduced hope, proving that sometimes, the most powerful stories aren’t about politics, but about the heart.
