Sunny Hostin, co-host of The View, expressed her strong disapproval of CNN giving Donald Trump a platform in his first televised town hall of the 2024 election cycle.
According to Fox News Digital, Hostin labeled Trump as an “insurrectionist”, “liar”, “bigot”, “racist”, “sexist”, and “criminal defendant”, stating that the network should not give “that type of person” a platform.
“That’s what I’m so disgusted by because, again, when someone shows you who they are, you believe them. When you show that you are an insurrectionist, that you’re a liar, that you’re a bigot, that you’re a racist, that you’re sexist, that you’re twice impeached, that you’re currently a criminal defendant, and likely to be a criminal defendant in two other jurisdictions. You grab women by their genitals; I know everything I need to know about you,” Hostin said.
However, her co-hosts held different opinions. Joy Behar argued that Trump is the Republican front-runner, and the town hall could reveal his lack of empathy.
In contrast, Alyssa Farah Griffin argued that there is a vital public interest in hearing Trump answer direct questions. Sara Haines disagreed with Hostin, stating that the media’s job is to provide information and push back, not silence candidates. Trump officially launched his 2024 campaign in November.
“So what is the point of this new town hall that he’s doing? And did we learn nothing from [former CBS executive] Les Moonves saying, ‘Bad for the country but great for the network’?” co-host Whoopi Goldberg asked.
“I can’t stand him, as you know, but he is the front-runner for the Republican Party,” she said. “Let them do it. This is a free country, and this is America. Let him go out there and show the American people again that he’s a sociopath. First of all, this forum requires a person who has empathy.”
According to co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, a town hall featuring Donald Trump has a significant public interest. She noted that 74 million people voted for him, and this event could allow them to hear him answer direct questions about his beliefs. Griffin also highlighted that this would be Trump’s first major interview with an unfriendly outlet since the insurrection. It’s worth noting that Trump launched his 2024 election campaign in November.
