“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin was forced to make a statement to “clarify” her remarks after she pushed baseless smears on the show about Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense.
On a recent episode of the controversial ABC News propaganda show, Hostin was required to issue a legal note regarding comments about Hegseth.
The need arose from discussions about an old private email, penned by Hegseth’s mother, that accused him of mistreating his ex-wife, Breitbart reported.
The legal note was prompted by a tumultuous reaction to the email’s content, which was initially intended as private.
Hegseth’s mother later recanted her accusations, instead extolling her son as a “good father” and husband.
The controversy has not been without its consequences for Hegseth.
He has firmly denied all allegations of misconduct.
Further, his legal team acknowledged a payment made in 2023 to a woman aimed at preventing what they described as a baseless lawsuit.
However, police investigated the claims and no legal charges have emerged from the incident.
Hostin was forced to halt the show to issue a legal statement, saying:
“Pete Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing, his lawyers said he paid the woman in 2023 to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit.
“No charges were ever brought.”
WATCH:
During the broadcast, Hostin’s statement was initially anticipated to be brief.
However, her co-host, Whoopi Goldberg, humorously commented, “It’s not going to be that quick,” highlighting the sensitivity and complexity of the matter.
Kristina Wong from Breitbart News reported on the family dynamics.
Wong noted that Hegseth’s mother apologized immediately after sending the contentious email.
This incident is not an isolated event for “The View.”
The show is frequently forced to issue legal notes regarding discussions about public figures.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Pam Bondi, and George Santos have all been topics that necessitated legal clarifications in past episodes.
Gaetz, after a three-year DOJ investigation that resulted in no charges, also required a legal note after the hosts promoted false claims about the former congressman.
He has vocally denied all allegations, labeling them as “invented” and urging skepticism regarding the smear.
The episode also touched on other nominations for Trump’s cabinet, sparking a debate on the need for rigorous vetting of political appointees.
This list includes controversial figures such as Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Kash Patel.
The reaction to the episode and the legal note issued has sparked widespread criticism on social media.
Many note that they are too often caught pushing false and damaging claims about people they disagree with politically.
This incident highlights the delicate balance media personalities must maintain while discussing legally sensitive topics.
READ MORE – ‘The View’ Scrambles to Explain Away Biden’s Blanket Pardon for Son Hunter
