ABC’s legal team swiftly intervened during Tuesday’s broadcast of The View after the co-hosts made potentially slanderous statements regarding Congressman Matt Gaetz and past sexual misconduct allegations. The situation unfolded when Sunny Hostin, regarded as the most progressive voice on the panel, was handed a “legal note” by producers mid-show. The note clarified that Gaetz had been cleared of wrongdoing by the Biden Justice Department following a three-year investigation.
Appearing visibly tense, Hostin read the statement directly from a teleprompter, emphasizing Gaetz’s long-standing denial of the allegations. She quoted his statement to ABC News:
“Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations, calling the claims ‘invented’ and saying in a statement to ABC News that ‘this false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism.’ The DOJ investigation was closed with no charges being brought.”
Immediately after Hostin delivered the legal disclaimer, Whoopi Goldberg transitioned the show to a commercial break, leaving viewers to speculate about the legal and reputational pressures faced by the network.
Declining Viewership and Controversial Dynamics
This incident highlights broader challenges for The View, which has struggled to retain its audience since the 2024 presidential election. Reports suggest that ABC executives are pushing for a more balanced panel, seeking to incorporate “pro-Trump voices” to appeal to a wider audience.
Despite the addition of Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump administration staffer, the show’s conservative representation remains limited. Griffin, now positioned as a centrist, frequently avoids direct confrontations, offering only mild counterpoints to her co-hosts’ liberal narratives.
During Monday’s broadcast, Griffin remained notably silent as Hostin criticized MSNBC’s Morning Joe hosts for meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Hostin dismissed the meeting as unnecessary, suggesting that journalists should not “kiss Trump’s ring” to cover him effectively.
“Look, the bottom line is that America needs a free press willing to speak truth to power,” Hostin remarked. “I don’t think sitting down for 90 minutes at Mar-a-Lago is necessary to achieve that.”
Mika Brzezinski, co-host of Morning Joe, defended the meeting, describing it as an attempt to find “common ground” on divisive issues. Hostin, however, remained skeptical, questioning the journalistic integrity of such a gesture:
“Maybe they’re not journalists in the true sense. Maybe they’re opinion journalists. But let’s not forget, Trump is the one who popularized the term ‘fake news’—not as a critique of misinformation, but to discredit legitimate reporting.”
The Show’s Relationship With Trump
President-elect Trump continues to be a polarizing figure on The View. While Goldberg has vowed not to mention his name, Hostin has repeatedly criticized him, often framing her arguments within broader critiques of media accountability and political divisions. However, these approaches have not resonated with all viewers, contributing to the show’s declining ratings.
ABC’s search for a more ideologically diverse panel reflects a broader recognition that The View’s current format may no longer align with the political and cultural landscape of its audience. Whether this shift will succeed in revitalizing the program remains to be seen.