OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The ABC talk show “The View” is known for its drama and arguments and they often start with cohost Whoopi Goldberg.
The was the case this week when Goldberg, a famed actress and comedian, said that “American Idol” contributed to the “beginning of the downfall of society,” which prompted an argument with executive producer Brian Teta and some of her fellow cohosts.
“I think, you know, that we as a society love to watch stuff, to judge folks. I’ve always thought that the beginning of the downfall of society was with… what’s the name of that show?” she said, which brought a response from Teta in which he said, “That’s ABC’s American Idol.”
“It was not always on ABC. When it began, it was on another network,” she said, referencing the show’s start on Fox. “Once we gave people the ability to judge other people, I think we ran amok… They invite the public to decide who that person was. It began us in a cycle.”
“It’s gotten better, and you like it now, remember?” Teta, who was now on camera, said.
“ABC knows that I feel like this. I’ve told them,” she said to the producer. “It had nothing to do with them, it had to do with the show. See, you starting stuff, man.”
The show made news again this week when former President Donald Trump took aim at one of the hosts who used to work for him.
As reported by Deadline, Trump was a ratings bonanza for little-watched CNN with some 3.3 million viewers tuning in to watch last month’s event hosted by the network’s newest prime-time addition, current morning show co-host Kaitlin Collins.
In a post on Truth Social on May 20, Trump called the town hall “absolutely lovely” and added that it was one of CNN’s “biggest rating nights in years.”
He also proposed doing another town hall event.
“Wow! Word is that they are revolting at the ‘View’ and CNN, and want Farrah [sic] OUT! Much more to come. She tried to delete out her words, but we got them ALL. I don’t see how she lasts because this ‘stuff’ shows what a phony she is. MUCH MORE TO COME! They won’t be able to take the Radical Left Heat, just as CNN wants to fire the ‘boss’ because of the absolutely lovely Town Hall they just put on. One of their biggest ratings nights in years, & they are begging for mercy. CNN, let’s do another one?” he wrote.
Trump went on to share a video of Farah Griffin praising her former boss and calling him a “remarkable man” and “strong leader for our nation.” The video showcases the political commentator reflecting on her initial meeting with Trump, which took place during her time working for then-Vice President Mike Pence.
“Backbencher in the Trump Administration, Alyssa Farah, like so many other sleazebags, had only glowing reviews of the Trump Administration until long after she left. A loser then, and a loser now! More to follow,” Trump posted.
After the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack in 2021, Farah Griffin chose to separate herself from Trump and subsequently resigned from the administration. Since then, she has successfully secured a position as a co-host on ABC’s The View, where she offers perspectives from a semi-conservative standpoint. Additionally, she maintains a regular presence on CNN as a contributor.
After the network hosted Trump’s town hall, she defended the decision, writing: “America got to see who he is last night: a ranting, raving lunatic, who sided with Vladimir Putin.”
Trump also shared another video of Farah Griffin in which she criticized the mainstream media for always portraying Trump in a negative light.
“So cool to watch her twist,” the former president captioned the video post.
