New York City — Daytime television just ignited a political and cultural firestorm — again. This time, it’s not a gaffe, not a misquote, but a full-blown takedown of women by women… and audiences are furious.
During Tuesday’s episode of The View, what began as a heated political discussion turned shockingly personal when longtime co-host Joy Behar made a jaw-dropping remark about Karoline Leavitt, the 27-year-old White House Press Secretary under Donald Trump.
“Let’s be honest,” Behar quipped, rolling her eyes. “Trump only hired her because she’s a 10. He’s not interested in qualifications — just appearances.”
The studio went silent. Then gasped.
Instant Backlash: “This Is the Very Misogyny You Claim to Fight”
Viewers didn’t need long to react. Within minutes, social media exploded with outrage over the blatantly sexist implication — coming from a panel that frequently touts itself as a voice for women’s rights and empowerment.
One viewer posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The View just insulted every woman who’s ever had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. If a conservative had said this, heads would roll.”
Another added:
“Calling Karoline Leavitt ‘a 10’ and reducing her role to looks? That’s not feminism. That’s hypocrisy in a designer blazer.”
Karoline Leavitt Claps Back: “Women Deserve Better Than This”
It didn’t take long for Karoline Leavitt to respond — and when she did, she held nothing back.
In a tweet that went instantly viral, Leavitt wrote:
“When so-called ‘feminists’ belittle a young woman’s accomplishments because they disagree with her politics, they’re the real problem. Women deserve better than this petty, outdated double standard.”
She followed it up with a short video clip from the press room, stating,
“I’m proud of my work, my team, and the values I stand for. I didn’t get here because of how I look. I got here because I fight — every single day — for the American people.”
Political Firestorm: Allies and Enemies Weigh In
As the backlash intensified, Republican leaders quickly rallied around Leavitt, calling the remark not just insulting, but emblematic of a deeper media bias.
Senator Marsha Blackburn tweeted:
“Karoline Leavitt is smart, capable, and tougher than most men in Washington. She’s being attacked for one reason: she’s conservative AND competent.”
Meanwhile, Fox News anchor Kayleigh McEnany — herself a former Trump press secretary — commented:
“I’ve sat at that podium. I know what it takes. Karoline’s earned her position — and shaming her success because she’s beautiful is disgusting.”
Surprisingly, even some liberal commentators distanced themselves from The View’s remarks, suggesting that personal attacks based on appearance undermine the very cause of gender equality.
A Pattern of Trouble for ‘The View’?
This is hardly the first time The View has found itself in hot water for politically charged — or borderline offensive — commentary.
In recent years, the panel has faced criticism for its treatment of conservative women, often blurring the line between political disagreement and personal disrespect. Former co-hosts like Meghan McCain have publicly stated the environment behind the scenes was “hostile” to any right-leaning voice.
Today’s incident is renewing calls for ABC to issue an apology, with online petitions gathering thousands of signatures demanding accountability from Behar and her co-hosts.
Behar Digs In: “I Said What I Said”
But if anyone expected Joy Behar to walk it back — they don’t know Joy.
When asked by paparazzi outside ABC Studios later that evening whether she regretted her comments, the 81-year-old comedian shrugged and responded bluntly:
“I said what I said. If you think Trump hires people based on brains, you haven’t been paying attention.”
That remark only poured gasoline on the fire — prompting many to ask: is this commentary… or character assassination?
What’s Really at Stake: The Future of Female Representation in Politics
The controversy has reignited a national debate over how women in politics — particularly conservative women — are treated by the media.
Why is it that when a progressive woman rises to power, she’s praised for shattering ceilings… but when a conservative woman does the same, she’s labeled a puppet, a prop, or worse — just “pretty”?
Karoline Leavitt’s rise from a communications aide to the youngest White House Press Secretary in modern U.S. history is a milestone. And whether one agrees with her politics or not, reducing her to her appearance is a disservice to every woman fighting to be taken seriously.
Final Thoughts: Is This the Moment That Breaks ‘The View’?
For a show that’s built on “celebrating women,” The View is now facing one of the fiercest gender-related scandals of its history — and it wasn’t triggered by a man, but by one of their own.
This isn’t just about Karoline Leavitt. It’s about how women treat other women in the public arena. And today, it seems The View forgot who they claimed to be.
