‘The View’ Scrambles to Clarify After Smearing Trump’s Cabinet Choices

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The hosts of ABC’s “The View” faced another on-air legal correction during Thursday’s episode after implying that allegations of sexual misconduct appeared to be a prerequisite for positions in President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet, while the co-hosts attacked Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and former Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who withdrew from contention for Attorney General shortly after the episode aired. The hosts subsequently explained that although both men had previously been accused, they have always denied any misconduct and have never been charged.

Whoopi Goldberg stated that sexual misconduct allegations no longer seemed to matter. It was added that it appeared as though having a sexual misconduct allegation was becoming a prerequisite for being in the Cabinet., Co-host Joy Behar joked, “Oh, let’s see, who’s accused of sexual assault? Put them in the Cabinet!” mocking the selection process with, “‘Pick me! Pick me!’”

The alleged trend was criticized by Sara Haines, who asserted that including such individuals in the administration could normalize leniency toward those accused of sexual misconduct. It was stated that separating sexual assault and offenders from the MAGA agenda should be encouraged; otherwise, it was suggested, that it could appear as though this was part of the agenda.

When Behar and Sunny Hostin expressed their dissatisfaction with the FBI’s decision to end its investigation into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after multiple background checks revealed no evidence to back up the allegations made against him, the topic of conversation changed.

A legal note was read on air by Hostin, stating that both Gaetz and attorneys for Hegseth had denied the allegations and emphasized that neither had faced charges. As the segment concluded, Behar quipped that the show might as well be called “Legal Note” moving forward.

Hostin Deletes X Account, Calls It a “Patriotic” Move

It was recently revealed that Hostin had deleted her account on X, citing dissatisfaction with the platform under Elon Musk’s ownership. Speaking on the “Behind The Table” podcast, it was stated by Hostin that the most patriotic action she could take at the moment was to delete the account, expressing the sentiment that Musk had ruined the platform.

Hostin blasted the platform for encouraging what she called an increase in misogyny and racism. She also declared that she would no longer back Musk’s business endeavors and that she would not purchase Tesla stock or a Tesla itself. Her departure came after backlash over her controversial remarks following Trump’s election victory. Hostin had attributed his win to “non-college-educated white women” and Latino men, arguing it reflected cultural resentment rather than policy.

Hostin posed a question to Rick Klein, ABC’s political news director, in an earlier discussion, asking why non-college-educated white women were voting against their reproductive freedoms and why Latino men were supporting someone who planned to deport members of their community. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin quickly countered, saying, “I don’t think white women like being called uneducated.” Hostin later corrected her terminology but stood by her broader point.