WATCH: Sunny Hostin Visibly Aggrieved While Being Forced To Read Another Legal Correction
On Friday’s episode of The View, co-host Sunny Hostin found herself at the center of another awkward moment that has become all too familiar for viewers of the long-running talk show. Midway through a discussion on the latest political controversies, Hostin was tasked with reading another in a series of legal corrections issued to the panel, visibly displaying her frustration.
The correction, related to a comment made about former Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz, came after Hostin and her fellow co-hosts had discussed allegations of misconduct that led to Gaetz withdrawing his nomination earlier this week. The legal note sought to clarify that Gaetz, while under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, has denied all allegations of impropriety and no criminal charges have been filed.
“I have a legal note,” Hostin started once again. “Matt Gaetz long denied all allegations and has not been charged with any crime.”
“That’s true,” Joy Behar jokingly agreed.
“Another legal note,” Hostin continued. “Pete Hegseth’s lawyer said he paid the woman in 2023 to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. He has denied any wrongdoing.”
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The ‘View’ has issued multiple apologies and clarifications to the conservative group Turning Point USA after facing the threat of a defamation lawsuit. The back-to-back-to-back statements came in response to the organization’s objections to remarks made on the show.
The moments all came during segments that veered into allegations against Matt Gaetz, the Republican ex-congressman who had previously been accused of sex trafficking and other misconduct, despite his being cleared of all charges, the topic continues to surface in media discussions.
“I have a legal note,” Hostin said on Thursday previously. “Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations and has not been charged with any crime. Gaetz previously dismissed allegations that he paid for sex, saying that, quote, ‘someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.’”
The disclaimer, factually necessary, visibly shifted the energy of the discussion. “Another legal note,” she read, “Pete Hegseth’s lawyer said he paid the woman in 2023 to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. He has denied any wrongdoing.”
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“Just call the show Legal Note from now on,” Joy Behar joked after.
Hegseth and Gaetz have recently been in the spotlight due to their nominations for key positions in President-elect Trump’s administration.
On Wednesday, Hostin had faced a similar situation after a heated exchange about Gaetz’s suitability as a nominee for Attorney General under President-elect Donald Trump. Her earlier criticisms triggered an immediate need for on-air corrections to avoid legal ramifications. The repeated on-air legal disclaimers have become a point of contention for critics of ‘The View,’ with many accusing the show of rushing to judgment in its discussions of public figures. Gaetz has maintained his innocence throughout the high-profile investigation. Hegseth, meanwhile, has denied allegations related to the payment, describing them as baseless.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army veteran, has been nominated as Secretary of Defense. He faced controversy in 2017 when a woman accused him of sexual assault, alleging he prevented her from leaving his hotel room and confiscated her phone. Hegseth has refuted these claims, insisting the interaction was consensual. Following a police investigation, no charges were brought against him.