Sunny Hostin, co-host of ABC’s “The View,” has stirred controversy by criticizing MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Her remarks on the November 18, 2024, episode have sparked broader discussions about media independence, journalistic integrity, and the role of media personalities in engaging with political figures.
Hostin made her disapproval clear during the episode, stating, “You don’t need to sit down for 90 minutes at Mar-a-Lago and kiss his ring.” She added that it’s possible they don’t consider themselves traditional journalists but rather opinion journalists. It’s important to remember that Trump played a significant role in introducing the era of fake news.
Her critique was rooted in Trump’s history of antagonizing the press, including revoking CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s credentials and high-profile confrontations with several Black female journalists. Hostin also warned of the dangers of Trump fostering a “state media” environment by favoring certain outlets while discrediting others.
Co-host Ana Navarro expressed her support for Hostin, stating that she would never meet with Trump and doubted she would ever face such a decision, as she doesn’t expect an invitation. She emphasized the challenges of criticizing and denouncing Trump’s abuses of power during his presidency, which previously resulted in threats, retribution against family, unexpected incidents at people’s homes, lawsuits, and other forms of backlash. Reflecting on past experiences, she affirmed the willingness to confront these challenges again if necessary.
Navarro also suggested that many might view Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski’s actions as opportunistic, implying that some people adjust their behavior or loyalties based on who holds power and what benefits them. She concluded by stating that everyone must live with their choices and be comfortable with their reflection in the mirror, noting that she has no regrets about her own stance.
However, the conversation on “The View” revealed tensions within the panel. Sara Haines defended Scarborough and Brzezinski, arguing that journalists should meet with the President-elect, even if controversial. Alyssa Farah Griffin added that isolating oneself in “safe bubbles” while complaining about Trump was less effective than engaging directly with him.
This debate over media ethics comes as Hostin herself faces backlash for her recent comments about voter demographics in the 2024 presidential election. She attributed Trump’s victory to “uneducated white women” and Latino men, stating on air, “Black women tried to save this country again… what we do not have is white women, who voted about 52 percent for Donald Trump—uneducated white women is my understanding. You have Latino men actually voting more for him.”
The phrase “uneducated white women” drew sharp criticism, prompting Hostin to revise her terminology to “non-college-educated white women.” Nonetheless, the damage was done. Critics accused her of using divisive language, with Devon Mostert, wife of Miami Dolphins player Raheem Mostert, calling the remarks both “racist and hypocritical.”
Hostin’s comments about Latino men also sparked debate, with Griffin countering that voters were likely motivated by economic concerns and family welfare rather than racism or misogyny. Despite Griffin’s rebuttal, Hostin doubled down, questioning how certain groups could support a president whose policies appeared to work against their interests.
The social media response was swift and harsh. Hostin ultimately deleted her X account, citing Elon Musk’s support of Trump and her perception that the platform had become a hub for “misogyny and racism.” She described the move as a “patriotic” act: “Black Twitter was a thing that I loved, and it was sort of replaced with something much darker.”
As many in the country continue to struggle with the implications of the 2024 election, Hostin’s comments and critiques remind us of the deep-seated tensions that persist in American society and the need for nuanced conversations and constructive debate on all levels.