Behind the Curtain: Tension Mounts at The View Amid ABC Shake-Up
ABC Urges Hosts to Dial Back Trump Criticism
Tensions are flaring at ABC’s The View as top brass pressure co-hosts to tone down their attacks on Donald Trump. According to insiders, executive producer Brian Teta recently urged the panel—including Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro—to take a softer approach when discussing the 47th president.
This quiet directive reportedly came just weeks before Trump’s inauguration and marks a clear shift in how the network handles political discourse.
Ratings Strong, But Morale Plummets
Despite drawing 2.6 million viewers over the past month, the atmosphere behind the scenes is anything but cheerful. ABC laid off at least nine staff members, including longtime producers Jamie Hammer and Audrey Jones, as part of a cost-cutting campaign.
“There’s a sense of unease,” said one insider. “Everyone’s waiting for the next round of firings.”
These layoffs are part of a wider restructuring across ABC’s parent company, Disney, which has cut thousands of jobs since October.
Studio Turf War Adds to Tension
On top of political pressure and job insecurity, the co-hosts are frustrated with their new studio setup. Since moving to ABC’s Hudson Square location, The View now shares studio space with The Tamron Hall Show, leading to disputes over dressing rooms and studio time.
“Tamron Hall thinks she’s Oprah,” one insider claimed. “She makes big demands, but The View is still the network’s priority.”
Still, not everyone is upset. A separate source praised both teams for working together professionally despite the space constraints.
Ariana DeBose as a guest for a special Oscars Pre-VIEW edition of ‘The Weekend View’, Photo Credit: theviewabc/Instagram
Staff Struggle with the New Location
ABC’s relocation to Hudson Square has triggered complaints from staff across departments. Cramped workspaces, lack of supplies, and traffic congestion near the Holland Tunnel have made daily life difficult.
“The new office is basic at best,” one staffer said. “There’s not enough room, no private offices, and barely enough desks.”
A network spokesperson disagreed, calling the building “gorgeous” and claiming there were “plenty of desks.”
Trump Talk Faces Reevaluation
As layoffs loom and internal pressure builds, The View co-hosts appear to be rethinking their approach to Trump. Last month, Sara Haines admitted she felt disconnected from viewers because none of the panelists supported the former president.
Meanwhile, Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump aide who now backs Kamala Harris, recently sparred with Whoopi Goldberg. Griffin argued that Democrats must be willing to “go to uncomfortable spaces” and engage with conservative voters.
The Future of The View
With internal friction growing and leadership urging caution, The View stands at a pivotal moment. Will the show maintain its fiery, anti-Trump stance? Or will ABC’s restructuring push it in a new direction?
One thing’s certain—the real drama isn’t just happening on camera.
