The Real Reason The View Was Just Issued A Cease And Desist Letter
"The View" is known for pushing the envelope with the strong opinions of its hosts. Just recently, Whoopi Goldberg found herself in very hot water over her comments about Jewish people and subsequently was forced to take a break from the show. And of course, Meghan McCain notably clashed with her co-hosts on many issues, ultimately leaving "The View" in August of 2021.
Now, the ABC talk show has found itself at the center of yet another controversy, which may result in legal action. Turning Point USA issued the Barbara Walters-created program a cease-and-desist letter after what it said were "false statements" hosts made on the July 25th episode (via New York Post). The purported "derogatory, and defamatory" comments centered around the Student Action Summit that took place in Tampa, Florida last weekend and featured speakers Governor Ron DeSantis and former president Donald Trump (via Click Orlando).
Unfortunately, protestors holding Nazi flags also showed up at the summit. It's on this subject that "The View" ladies may have misspoken.
Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg did not speak truthfully about the event
Joy Behar, who fell in front of a live audience back in March, spoke out about the presence of neo-Nazis at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Monday's episode of "The View" (via New York Post).
"Neo-Nazis were out there in the front of the conference with anti-Semitic slurs and, you know, the Nazi swastika and a picture of a so-called Jewish person with exaggerated features," the often-controversial host said in part, likening their actions to Nazi propaganda perpetrated by Joseph Goebbels.
But it was her assertion that Ron DeSantis stood by and "did nothing" while the protestors spread their hate that has the organization up in arms, as the Florida conservative did not even attend the event on the same day that the protests took place.
Sara Haines read disclaimers but the TPUSA is not sufficiently appeased
Whoopi Goldberg, who previously claimed race was not a factor in the Holocaust, also made the incorrect claim during "The View" episode that the TPUSA let neo-Nazis into the conference, later correcting herself by noting that her point was simply metaphorical (via PBS).
Although Sara Haines did read a series of disclaimers on the show, the New York Post reports they have still been issued the cease-and-desist letter, with the threat of a lawsuit looming if the hosts do not apologize and retract their statements by today, July 27th.
Meanwhile, previous to the episode airing, it's important to note that TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet issued a statement asserting that the organization "100% condemns" Neo-Nazi ideology, and further stressed that they have "nothing to do" with one another.
He also clarified about the protestors, "Since these individuals were located on public property, our security attempted to, but was not permitted to remove them. We have no idea who they are or why they were here" (via The Hill).