The ladies of ABC’s The View have recently spoken out about their expectations for the 2024 presidential debates. They have demanded that President Biden have control over former President Trump’s microphone and movements on stage. Co-host Sara Haines even suggested that Trump be put in a phone booth while the debates happen. This censorship is deemed necessary by the ladies to ensure that Trump does not overtalk, gaslight, or use nonverbal cues to appear stronger on stage.
Haines admitted that her initial gut instinct would be for an open and honest debate between the candidates. However, she quickly changed her mind, stating that Trump’s behavior in past debates has been unacceptable. She argued that he has the ability to overshadow anyone he is debating with, making them appear less than in comparison. Haines also claimed that Trump’s nonverbal cues, such as hovering behind his opponent, give him a perceived strength.
Sunny Hostin, a co-host known for her anti-Semitic and racist comments, took a more extreme stance. She stated that Trump should not even be allowed near a debate stage because everyone already knows who he is. In her opinion, giving him a platform to speak only legitimizes his beliefs and actions. Co-hosts Joy Behar and Sara Haines agreed, stating that participating in debates poses a bigger risk for President Biden, as one mistake could cost him undecided voters.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, the show’s resident conservative voice, argued that it is important for the American people to see the candidates debate one another. She noted that a lot has happened in the past year, such as the January 6th insurrection, and Trump needs to be held accountable for his actions. However, the other hosts quickly shut her down, arguing that everyone already knows who Trump is and there is no need to give him a platform.
The conversation turned to the second presidential debate of 2016, where Trump was allowed to walk around the stage and make headlines for “looming” behind Hillary Clinton. Moderator Whoopi Goldberg exclaimed that Clinton should have kicked Trump in his “nuts” to shut him down.
Because that’s what we need…
Whoopi says that when Trump and Hillary Clinton were debating, Clinton should have kicked him in the nuts: "She should have kicked her foot backwards and hit him where it hurts." pic.twitter.com/xxR5n6RXKV
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) February 19, 2024
My biggest take away from this rediculous episode was that the cackling witches are terrified their grand leader doesn’t stand a chance against Trump—And they’re not wrong.