Darci Lynne Drops $50 Million Defamation Hammer on The View: “You Smiled While You Knifed Me – Now Pay”
In a legal detonation that has Hollywood and daytime TV reeling, 21-year-old ventriloquism sensation Darci Lynne Farmer has filed a staggering $50 million defamation lawsuit against ABC and The View, accusing the show of turning a booked feel-good segment into a premeditated “public assassination” of her character in front of 3.4 million viewers.
The incident exploded on November 20, 2025, when Darci appeared with her beloved puppet Petunia to promote her Las Vegas residency and new Christmas special.
What began as playful banter flipped without warning when Whoopi Goldberg pivoted to a 2017 clip of 12-year-old Darci saying she “wanted to be a role model for young girls,” then coldly asked: “Do you still think you’re a good role model after those leaked party photos?” The audience gasped as Joy Behar piled on: “Some say you’ve sold out—puppets to parties. Is that the new American dream?” Darci, visibly blindsided, stammered while producers cut to commercial and Sunny Hostin smirked, “Guess the bunny’s out of tricks.”
Darci’s attorneys filed the 38-page complaint in Tulsa federal court the next morning, alleging defamation per se, false light, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The suit claims producers deliberately hid the ambush line of questioning, doctored pre-interview forms, and used doctored “party photos” that were actually stills from a 2024 music video shoot. “They lured a 21-year-old under the pretense of celebration, then executed a scripted takedown for viral clicks,” the filing reads. It accuses the hosts of “smiling, eye-rolling, and coordinated mockery” designed to paint Darci as “a hypocritical, washed-up child star.”
Within 12 hours the clip hit 112 million views, spawning memes of Petunia’s stunned face and hashtags #JusticeForDarci and #BoycottTheView.
Fans crashed ABC’s comment lines; the network’s apology page went down twice. Terry Fator, Jeff Dunham, and Nina Conti posted support videos with their puppets holding “We Stand With Darci” signs. Even AGT alumni flooded in: Grace VanderWaal called it “disgusting,” while Howie Mandel tweeted, “Leave the kids alone—especially when they’re not kids anymore.”
ABC pulled the episode from streaming and issued a vague “we regret any misunderstanding,” but refused a full apology.
Sponsors like State Farm and Purina have already paused campaigns. Analysts say the case could set precedent for “ambush liability” in live television, forcing networks to disclose confrontation segments in advance or face eight-figure penalties.
Darci broke silence on Instagram Live from her Oklahoma ranch, voice steady, Petunia on her lap.
“I won AGT at twelve because America believed in magic,” she said. “Yesterday they tried to kill it for ratings. I’m not twelve anymore. I’m not letting them kill anyone else’s either.” She ended with three words: “See you in court.”
The View has gone radio silent.
ABC execs are reportedly begging for settlement.
And Darci Lynne—the girl who once made a bunny sing opera—just proved the most dangerous puppet master is the one holding the receipts.
You ambushed the wrong Oklahoma girl.
Now the bunny’s got teeth.
And they’re $50 million sharp.
