MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: It was a tense moment on 'The View' when co-hosts Alyssa Farah Griffin and Sunny Hostin engaged in a fierce argument during the episode aired on June 7. The tiff, fueled by conflicting political views, escalated to the point where a commercial break became necessary.
Griffin has reportedly sought solace away from the chaos of New York City. With wildfires ravaging Quebec, Canada, and affecting the east coast, she made a swift decision to leave the city. Shortly after her fiery debate with Hostin, her travel plans were revealed, hinting at a much-needed break from the mounting tensions that had consumed their on-screen dynamic. In the midst of the chaos, she shared a post on Instagram about "toxic division."
'This is how we overcome toxic division'
Griffin's post read, "This moment is an opportunity to be measured and think critically - no matter your position. This is how we overcome toxic division." The argument between the two stars began while discussing Chris Christie, who recently declared he was running for president, and Griffin's support of Mike Pence's candidacy in the 2024 election.
The bitter debate centered on Griffin's previous role as a strategist in ex-president Donald Trump's administration, working closely with then vice-president Pence. Hostin didn't hold back, bringing up the controversies surrounding the way Pence handled the AIDS crisis and Covid-19 pandemic.
'Let a woman speak'
Interrupting Griffin's attempts to respond, Hostin emphasized on the devastating impact of Pence's decisions, stating, "He had a terrible approval rating because of the way he treated the AIDS crisis... A lot of people died because of him, a lot of people died because of how he handled the COVID crisis."
As the exchanges grew more heated, Griffin soon spoke about Barbara Walters' legacy. "This is not what this show is about. This is Barbara Walters' legacy, let a woman speak!"
The confrontation has attracted backlash from viewers, with many demanding that Hostin be fired from the show. Fans have even threatened to boycott the program if Hostin continued to be a part of the talk show.