ABC Morning Show Issues Legal Note Following Segment
Sunny Hostin, cohost of The View, faced a moment of visible frustration on Tuesday when she was required to read a legal disclaimer addressing allegations against President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Attorney General, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
Earlier in the broadcast, Hostin had repeated long-standing accusations against Gaetz, despite his denial of any wrongdoing and the fact that the Department of Justice closed its investigation without filing charges.
Hostin, a former federal prosecutor, raised the allegations during a discussion about Gaetz’s controversial nomination, suggesting it was inappropriate for someone with such claims against them to lead the Department of Justice.
“Within the Department of Justice, you know, you have the sex crimes unit, which is what I was a part of. Child sex crimes and child trafficking. How could you nominate someone with allegations of child trafficking or trafficking across state lines and having sex with a 17-year-old?” she said. She added that the accusations indicated the relationship ended once the minor’s age became known.
Sunny Hostin looks like she’s about to rip the heart out of her producer as she’s forced to issue a correction on Matt Gaetz.
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 20, 2024
Whoopi Goldberg joined the critique, expressing her dismay at the implications of Gaetz leading the DOJ. “I’m saddened by it because all of those women who will have to get some defense of what’s happened to them, that’s who they’re going to, and this is someone who will just say, ‘It’s not a big deal.’ All of those little kids who, you know, get abused, they got no recourse now because this is what’s in charge.”
However, the discussion took a turn when Goldberg prompted Hostin to read a legal disclaimer acknowledging Gaetz’s denial of the allegations and the lack of charges against him.
Clearly annoyed, Hostin delivered the statement in a flat tone: “Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations, calling the claims, quote, ‘invented,’ and saying in a statement to ABC News that ‘this false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism.’ The DOJ investigation was closed with no charges being brought.”
The moment highlighted a tense dynamic as The View tackled one of the most controversial nominations of Trump’s second term. While Hostin and Goldberg’s comments reflected widespread opposition to Gaetz among critics, the forced inclusion of the legal note underscored the importance of distinguishing between accusations and proven charges—a distinction Hostin seemed reluctant to emphasize.