Rosie O’Donnell Claims ‘The View’ Is Already Cancelled — ABC and Disney ‘Letting Joy and Whoopi Down Gently’
In a revelation that has set social media ablaze, former co-host Rosie O’Donnell is claiming that ABC’s long-running daytime talk show The View has already been cancelled behind the scenes — and that network executives are simply managing the exit of its remaining marquee personalities, Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, O’Donnell alleged that internal decisions had already been made to pull the plug on the decades-old program, even though ABC has made no official announcement.
“It’s over,” O’Donnell said. “They’re just trying to let Joy and Whoopi down gently. They don’t want it to look like the show was yanked out from under them, so they’re easing them into it.”
O’Donnell, who was a co-host on The View during two separate stints, has often been outspoken about her experiences on the show and her disagreements with both fellow panelists and management. This latest claim, however, is particularly explosive, as The View remains one of ABC’s most high-profile — and at times controversial — daytime properties.
ABC and Disney Remain Silent
As of Wednesday afternoon, neither ABC nor its parent company, Disney, had issued a statement addressing O’Donnell’s claim. Requests for comment sent to ABC’s press office and Goldberg’s and Behar’s representatives were not returned.
However, industry insiders have noted that daytime television has faced mounting challenges in recent years. With ratings pressure from streaming platforms, shifting audience demographics, and increased advertiser sensitivity to politically charged content, even long-standing programs are under more scrutiny than ever.
A senior television analyst told The Daily Chronicle:
“The View is expensive to produce, and it’s a lightning rod for controversy. That makes it both a valuable brand and a risky investment. If ABC sees the numbers slipping or advertisers backing away, they could decide it’s time to sunset the show — but they’d want to control that narrative very carefully.”
The View’s Controversial Legacy
Since its debut in 1997, The View has been known for blending celebrity interviews with heated discussions on politics, culture, and current events. Co-created by Barbara Walters, the format was groundbreaking at the time: a panel of women representing different perspectives, debating the news of the day in an unscripted format.
But in the post-2016 political era, the show’s focus has increasingly tilted toward contentious political debate — particularly criticism of former President Donald Trump. This has won it devoted fans on the political left while alienating many conservative viewers.
O’Donnell’s time on the show was itself defined by on-air confrontations, most famously with conservative co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, as well as behind-the-scenes disagreements. Her latest remarks, though, suggest her insight comes not only from past experience but from ongoing contacts inside ABC.
Trish Regan Weighs In
Conservative commentator and former Fox Business host Trish Regan covered O’Donnell’s remarks on her own program, framing the story as a sign of larger cultural and corporate shifts in media.
Regan told her audience:
“We predicted this. Disney and ABC are businesses, and when the numbers don’t add up, or the politics start costing them money, they will act. Rosie O’Donnell may not be everyone’s favorite messenger, but she’s been on the inside, and what she’s saying fits with what we’re hearing from industry sources.”
Regan suggested that The View had become “more of a political propaganda vehicle than a daytime talk show,” and that the public was growing tired of “the constant outrage cycle.”
What Happens to Joy and Whoopi?
If O’Donnell’s claims are accurate, ABC now faces the delicate task of managing the legacy and careers of two of its most prominent daytime figures. Joy Behar, 81, has been with The View since its inception, save for a brief hiatus from 2013 to 2015. Whoopi Goldberg joined in 2007 and has served as the show’s moderator for most of her tenure.
Both women have indicated in past interviews that they were considering eventual retirement, though neither has given a definitive date.
According to one entertainment insider, ABC might offer Behar and Goldberg special send-off episodes, tribute segments, or even new projects to “soften the blow” if the show is indeed ending.
Trump’s DC Fight Continues
While the entertainment world digested O’Donnell’s comments, political headlines were dominated by news of former President Donald Trump’s latest battle with the Washington establishment.
Trump’s legal team has filed a flurry of motions in ongoing federal cases, while his political operation ramps up for the 2024 election cycle. At a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this week, Trump accused “the DC swamp” of orchestrating legal cases to derail his candidacy.
“They know they can’t beat us at the ballot box, so they’re trying to beat us in the courtroom,” Trump told supporters. “It’s not going to work.”
The former president’s campaign maintains that his legal troubles are politically motivated, while prosecutors insist they are based on credible evidence and the rule of law.
Intersecting Storylines
Some media analysts see the The View’s possible demise and Trump’s political battles as linked in a broader cultural moment.
“Trump and The View have been intertwined in the public conversation for years,” said media strategist Angela Ruiz. “The show made him a recurring topic, and his presidency arguably boosted its ratings by giving it a clear political villain. If the Trump era is winding down, the show’s formula may be too.”
For now, O’Donnell’s claim remains unconfirmed — but it has reignited debate over The View’s future and its role in American media. Whether ABC confirms the cancellation in the coming months or doubles down with a new season, the speculation alone signals that the landscape for political daytime TV is shifting fast.
