Ever since President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, the co-hosts of *The View* have been subjected to a series of awkward, legally-required “clarifications” on air—much to their frustration and embarrassment. The show, known for its often contentious debates, has been forced to read off legal notices regarding allegations against Trump’s cabinet picks and other prominent conservative figures. What was meant to be a lively discussion quickly turned into a legal disclaimer session.
Sunny Hostin, one of the more vocal panelists, has had to repeatedly read legal disclaimers clarifying that several individuals associated with Trump, including Representative Matt Gaetz and Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, have *denied* allegations made against them. Hostin’s discomfort was palpable when she read on air, “Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations and has not been charged with any crime.” The legal note was repeated, this time for Pete Hegseth, whose lawyer had clarified that the alleged payment to a woman in 2023 was made to avoid a baseless lawsuit, and that no wrongdoing occurred.
These awkward legal interruptions have taken center stage on the show. During one particularly cringe-worthy moment, Hostin read a legal note regarding Trump’s past donation to Pam Bondi, the former Attorney General of Florida, in relation to the Trump University case. Hostin emphasized, “Both Trump and Pam Bondi have denied allegations of a quid pro quo,” further fueling the panel’s frustration. In response, co-host Ana Navarro jokingly quipped, “This show is going to be just legal notes and things we’re selling,” while Joy Behar added, “That’s why I said we’re not calling it a legal note.”
As *The View* faces legal scrutiny, even Whoopi Goldberg, known for her sharp remarks, appeared to grow weary of the process. In one exchange, she sparred with the show’s executive producer over the need to read these statements on air. “Why do we have to do these legal notes each time?” Goldberg asked, exasperated. The executive producer, Teta, explained, “We have to state the denials that they’ve stated,” prompting Goldberg to retort, “I find it odd when everybody has seen it and they know that it’s not necessarily the truth.” This comment references the ongoing left-wing narrative about Trump’s 2020 election denial, which has been heavily scrutinized by liberals.
As tensions rose, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin stepped in, urging the conversation to move along. “We’re out of time, the music is playing,” she reminded the panel, signaling the end of the debate before it could escalate further. With Goldberg’s frustration apparent, Teta reassured her that they could discuss the issue off-air, but the damage was done.
It’s clear that *The View’s* liberal hosts, eager to discuss the latest scandal or impeachment angle, are less than thrilled about the legal disclaimers they must read in the wake of their unchecked criticisms. But as they face legal obligations, their attempts to push anti-Trump narratives on live TV only highlight the glaring contradiction between their partisan rants and the hard reality of legal truths they must now acknowledge. If nothing else, the show has become a platform for the left’s unwillingness to acknowledge the rule of law and fairness in the face of undeniable facts.
