‘The View’ hosts forced to issue four ‘legal notes’ in a single episode spent trashing Trump’s cabinet picks
“The View” doesn’t want anyone to sue.
The co-hosts of the controversial ABC talk show were forced to issue four “legal notes” during Friday’s broadcast after they discussed allegations leveled at several of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees.
The legal notes — which are disclaimers provided by the subjects’ lawyers — pertained to remarks made on-air by the show’s stars Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin.
During a segment discussing George Santos, Behar brought up the former congressman’s 23 criminal charges, including wire fraud.
Several minutes later, she was forced to read a message from show producers that was sent to her iPhone.
“One minute, I just got a note,” Behar told the audience looking down at her device. “We have to clarify that Santos eventually reached a plea deal after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.”
“Is that a legal note?” co-host Haines quizzed.
“Kind of, it’s a clarification,” Behar responded.
In the same segment, “The View” stars discussed sexual assault allegations made against Trump’s first attorney general pick Matt Gaetz and his defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth.
Co-host Hostin was subsequently forced to read out denials provided by both men’s lawyers.
“I have a legal note,” she stated. “Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations and has not been charged with any crime.”
“Also, another legal note,” Hostin continued. “Pete Hegseth’s lawyer said he paid the woman [his assault accuser] in 2023 to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. He has denied any wrongdoing. “
Several minutes later, Hostin — a one-time prosecutor — issued a fourth legal disclaimer pertaining to Pam Bondi, Trump’s new nominee for attorney general.
“I’m sorry everyone, I have another legal note,” Hostin told the audience, to which Behar could be heard groaning: “Oh my God.”
“Both Trump and Bondi have denied allegations of a quid pro quo that his past donation played any role in her office’s decision not to take legal action against Trump University when she was attorney general of Florida,” Hostin stated.
“This show is just going to be legal notes and things we’re selling,” a frustrated Navarro chimed in.
“We’re going to call it [the show] ‘The Legal Note,’” Behar quipped.
However, some X users were far less amused by the group’s series of disclaimers.
“Sunny Hostin had to read ANOTHER legal retraction on ‘The View,” right-wing comedian Tim Young raged. “She had to correct for their lies about Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth… Someone needs to sue these people into oblivion already.”
“The View was forced to issue Four ‘Legal Notes’ today for their lies against, Matt Gaetz, Pam Bondi, George Santos, and Pete Hegseth,” another angry viewer claimed. “There is a pattern… They knowingly spread lies about Donald Trump and his allies… only to issue a ‘legal note’ minutes later to avoid the truth and legal repercussions.”
Earlier this week, Hostin hit headlines after she issued a “legal note” with a deadpan expression
