Fans of the The View have criticised Elisabeth Hasselbeck‘s return to the series after nine years away from the Hot Topics table.
The 45-year-old previously co-hosted the ABC talk show from 2003 to 2013 and was divisive figure during her tenure for her conservative views and on-air clashes.
Appearing as a guest on the morning stalwart amid its 25th season, it seemed like no time had passed as Hasselbeck found herself at the centre of a heated discussion about abortion, religion and politics with host Whoopi Goldberg.
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However, not everyone was best pleased with her comments as many took to Twitter to air their frustration over her return.
A frustrated viewer tweeted: “Two minutes in I remember why I was so relieved when Elisabeth Hasselbeck left #TheView”.
“If #TheView feels like hiring these types of conservatives is good for the shows’s credibility…..B***h please,” a second wrote.
“All this creates is drama and toxicity. This is a morning show and we should be able to have intelligent deep and also light hearted FACTUAL discussions!”
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Taking issue with Hasselbeck’s religious takes, including her insistence that abortion is wrong under the tenants of Christianity, a viewer posted: “I strongly strongly dislike phony, know-it-all, selective self-righteous holy-trollers like @ehasselbeck.
“She’s so annoying. Keep YOUR GOD and nose out of MY bedroom, medical/exam room and my house.”
While another claimed that she was preaching at the co-hosts, writing, “Christians like her push people away from Christ. #TheView #TheViewABC.”
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Hasselbeck's return to talk show comes as The View has gone through the latest season without a permanent fifth cohost following Meghan McCain departure in late 2021.
Current panelists Goldberg, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Joy Behar boast liberal views on social and political issues, so the rotating roster of guest hosts sitting in the vacant chair come from more conservative backgrounds.
Recently, it was reported that former Trump White House staffer Alyssa Farah Griffin will fill McCain’s empty seat and take on permanent cohost duties.
The 33-year-old formerly served as White House director of strategic communications and assistant under Trump’s administration.
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According to the MailOnline, one source close to the discussions said: “Her soon to be co-hosts are very upset. They feel she isn’t authentic and changes her opinions based on who her paymaster is.
“Ana Navarro especially feels let down as they are hiring someone who was an essential part of the movement that destabilized this country.
“Alyssa’s family is also problematic. Her father Joseph founded WorldNetDaily a website that promotes conspiracy theories. It’s terrifying.”
However, a spokesperson for The View told Entertainment Weekly last month, "We do not have a cohost announcement to make at this time. Stay tuned."
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The View is set to officially announce its fifth cohost on Thursday's (4 August) episode.
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Topics: US News, Film and TV
Lisa McLoughlin