The ABC talk show “The View” has built its brand on a carefully curated panel of predominantly liberal voices. So when reports emerged that former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt—a staunch Trump ally—was not only invited as a guest but also under consideration for a permanent co-host slot, many saw it as a head-scratcher. But the move may have less to do with expanding viewpoints and more to do with defusing regulatory pressure from the Federal Communications Commission.
Earlier this week, the Daily Mail reported, citing sources close to Leavitt, that she had been invited to appear on the show and was being considered for a more permanent role. According to the outlet, the idea was met with enthusiastic support from President Donald Trump and other White House officials, and Leavitt was said to be weighing the offer.
However, the story was quickly countered by CNN’s Brian Stelter, who cited an ABC source saying that while Leavitt had “technically” been invited as a guest, “the implication of the Mail’s headline is false. She would not be a guest host on the talk show or join in a more official capacity.”
Regardless of whether Leavitt actually joins the panel, the mere suggestion underscores a growing reality: “The View” is feeling the heat from the FCC, and its guest bookings may be shifting as a result.
FCC Scrutiny Heats Up
For weeks, the show’s status as a “bona fide news program” has been under review by the FCC—a challenge championed by the Media Research Center, which has submitted over 2,400 “separate pieces of evidence documenting “The View”’s pervasive bias and, at times, willful electioneering as exhibits to this comment.”
The central argument against the show is its apparent reluctance to host actual conservatives, particularly those who support Trump. A Media Research Center study found that in its most recent season, “The View” hosted only five conservative guests compared to 87 liberal ones. Moreover, both of the show’s designated “conservative” co-hosts, Ana Navarro and Alyssa Farah Griffin, are vocal anti-Trump voices.
If the FCC determines that “The View” is not a genuine news program, the consequences could be significant. The loss of that designation could be the first domino to fall, potentially leading to eight ABC-owned-and-operated affiliates losing their broadcast licenses.
Guest Booking Changes
According to NewsBusters, the FCC review appears to be influencing the show’s upcoming season. After two consecutive years of kicking off their seasons with prominent liberal figures—liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson—the show seems to be avoiding such overtly political bookings this time around.
If Leavitt were booked as a guest, she would be the first political or government figure to appear in Season 30. That would be a notable shift for a show that has previously attacked her appearance and age on air.
But while the timing is telling, the reporting itself remains murky. The initial story came from a British tabloid, which often favors sensational headlines. Stelter’s ABC source poured cold water on the idea of a permanent role, suggesting the network may have extended an olive branch in the form of a guest spot, but nothing more.
Pressure or Genuine Change?
So why would “The View” want Leavitt at all? The most plausible explanation is that the show is trying to curry favor with the Trump administration and ease the FCC’s scrutiny. By inviting a prominent pro-Trump voice, the show can point to its willingness to include conservative perspectives—even if only as a token guest.
The strategy may be working. Even if Leavitt never becomes a co-host, the mere invitation signals a shift in how the show is handling its guest selection under regulatory pressure. As one analysis noted, “The View” may not be trying to hire Leavitt, but it’s obvious that the FCC’s pressure is influencing who they invite to join them at the table.
Whether that pressure leads to lasting change remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the FCC’s review is having an impact on one of television’s most politically charged talk shows.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-would-the-view-want-karoline-leavitt-to-co-host