In a recent development, ABC News is experiencing internal turmoil as they desperately seek conservative and even ‘pro-Trump’ voices to counterbalance the perceived anti-Trump rhetoric shared by hosts on “The View” and other shows.
Last week, the Disney-owned network began holding meetings in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, sources revealed to the New York Post.
The outlet also confirmed that ABC News Group President Debra OConnell and Almin Karamehmedovic, who was recently promoted to head of ABC News, conducted intensive meetings with executive producers and senior editorial leaders across the network’s various shows as the situation is currently in “panic mode.”
One of the sources revealed that the network’s top priority is to find a pro-Trump panelist for its leading daytime talk show, “The View,” which is currently co-hosted by outspoken liberals Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines, alongside Republicans Ana Navarro and Alyssa Farah Griffin, who are known for their critical views on Trump.
“The View is facing pressure from higher-ups. Viewers can expect some major changes including bringing in new panelists that can bring in a pro-Trump perspective,” the source told The Post.
The source did not disclose if any or all of the current hosts would be replaced or if more hosts would be added to the show.
“Everyone on ‘The View’ endorsed Kamala Harris. They lost,” said the source. “They are out of touch with America.
“For a show about different perspectives, ‘The View’ doesn’t seem to have any when it comes to Trump.”
“ABC bosses don’t want to alienate the pro-Trump demographic.”
Another source familiar with the situation indicated that the anticipated reorganization across the network is a response to executives being unprepared for the strong pro-Trump sentiment present in the country.
“We are trying to sort out how we cover the next 4 years when everyone inside ABC News is on one side,” the source said, speaking about the network in general which is home to several shows, including “Good Morning America.”
“The View is an opinion-based show featuring a diverse panel of women with different points of view – the current panel is clearly resonating with audiences given that the series just had its highest rated episode in more than a decade and hit a 4-year high in total viewers,” an ABC spokesperson told the outlet in a statement.
The shift could cause conflict among some of the show’s co-hosts, according to the first source. Following the election, the hosts have been outspoken about their discontent with the results.
“The question is what will happen to the Whoopis and the Joys if they bring on a Trumpster?” said the source.
Goldberg, the longest-serving permanent co-host of “The View” since joining in 2007, stated that her stance on not mentioning Trump’s name remains unchanged following the recent election.
After the 2016 election, Goldberg vowed not to mention him by name.
“He’s now the president. I’m still not going to say his name. That’s not going to change,” she said.
Other co-hosts have shared their frustrations with the election results, with Hostin placing the blame on “uneducated white women” and Latino men for not supporting Harris.
