Sunny Hostin Defends “The View”’s Decision to Invite Conservative Guest Host Savannah Chrisley
“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin defended the show’s decision to invite conservative guest host Savannah Chrisley, addressing backlash from some viewers who objected to a supporter of Donald Trump appearing on the program. The discussion unfolded during Monday’s “Behind the Table” podcast, where Hostin emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives on the show.
Backlash and the Show’s Mission
Producer Brian Teta noted the strong reaction from social media, stating, “The reaction from social media from our more ardent fans was loud. I obviously saw a lot of it…They were outraged at the idea that we would — they did not like the idea that there was anybody here that would be a supporter of Trump or MAGA at the table.”
Hostin responded by reaffirming the core principle of “The View”: “Well, that’s what ‘The View’ is. You have to be able to sit with people that, you know, voted for him three times and support him and continue to support him.” She further acknowledged that many viewers likely have similar experiences with family members holding differing political views, stating, “I have family members that voted for him three times.”
Finding Common Ground
Despite political disagreements, Hostin highlighted areas of connection with Chrisley, such as their shared faith. She praised Chrisley’s ability to engage in respectful dialogue, saying, “I thought her energy was pretty earnest and pretty harmless.” Hostin added, “If you go low, I go low. But if you go high, I go high. We can meet energy.”
Chrisley’s Experience and Off-Camera Conversation
Chrisley, who appeared as a guest host while Alyssa Farah Griffin was on maternity leave, previously revealed an off-camera exchange with Hostin regarding her parents’ pardon by President Trump. She explained that she and Hostin were able to have a productive conversation, with Hostin seeking to understand the context of the situation. Chrisley stated, “But then today, she and I had a conversation, off camera, and she was like, ‘Well, I didn’t understand this.’ And I was like, ‘I apologize if I came off as defensive. It’s obviously my family, and I’m always going to defend them.'”
Hostin acknowledged Chrisley’s courage and confidence in navigating the challenging environment of the show, noting, “I don’t know that many 28-year-traditional young women would be able to sit at the table. It takes a lot of courage and bravery and confidence, and she had that.”
Co-Hosts’ Warnings About Online Comments
During her guest hosting stint, Chrisley revealed she received hateful messages online, prompting her co-hosts to advise her to avoid reading them. Joy Behar reportedly told Chrisley, “Don’t read them!”