Joy Behar, a host of The View, has sparked significant backlash after making a sexist comment about Karoline Leavitt, the newly appointed White House Press Secretary. 

On Wednesday’s episode, Behar made a controversial remark about the 27-year-old’s appointment, suggesting that Leavitt’s looks played a key role in her rise to the position. 

“She’s probably been put in there because, according to Donald Trump, she’s a 10,” Behar said. “You know that’s what it is.” 

The remark immediately drew criticism for undermining Leavitt’s qualifications and reducing her career to her physical appearance.

Behar’s comment did not go unchallenged, with fellow panelist Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump administration staffer, quickly countering the statement. 

Farah Griffin pointed out that Leavitt’s role as press secretary was not solely due to her looks, stating, “It wasn’t her first job, it was just her first press briefing.” 

This exchange highlighted a tension between the hosts over the new press secretary’s abilities and her role within the administration.

The criticism of Leavitt’s qualifications continued as Whoopi Goldberg joined the conversation, expressing frustration with the young press secretary’s remarks during her first press briefing. Leavitt had stirred controversy by announcing plans to cut funding for “transgenderism and wokeness” in federal agencies, which Goldberg took issue with. “That p***ed me off,” Goldberg said, arguing that Leavitt’s comments about “wokeness” failed to acknowledge the importance of such initiatives in promoting equality and representation. Goldberg emphasized that without the progress made by the “wokeness” movement, Leavitt might not even have the opportunity to serve in such a prominent role.

Goldberg went on to explain that “wokeness” was a critical movement that paved the way for women and minorities to gain access to opportunities previously denied to them. “The reason we fought and busted our behinds was to make sure that you didn’t have to worry about this,” she said. Goldberg also asserted that women’s struggle for equality had been essential in securing the opportunities that Leavitt, as a woman, now enjoys. The heated exchange between Behar, Goldberg, and Farah Griffin showcased the deep divisions in how the press secretary’s actions and background are perceived.

The backlash to Behar’s comments was swift and widespread. Many viewers took to social media to express their displeasure with her remarks. Some defended Leavitt, pointing out that her qualifications were not based solely on her appearance but on her experience and skills. One X (formerly Twitter) user remarked, “She got the job because she is qualified.” Others pointed out that if a Republican had made a similar comment about a female Democrat, they would have been heavily criticized. The sentiment was echoed by others who suggested that Behar’s remarks were rooted in jealousy, with one user writing, “If I could get hired to that high of a position for being smart AND beautiful I would take it!”

Leavitt’s first press briefing was a moment of significance for the White House, as she became the youngest press secretary in history. During the briefing, Leavitt made headlines by announcing a shift in the White House’s media strategy. She introduced a “new media” section to the press pool, aimed at giving alternative media outlets a voice. The new administration’s approach was criticized by The View hosts, who expressed skepticism about the qualifications of the journalists who would now be allowed to ask questions at press briefings. Sunny Hostin, another View co-host, questioned whether the reporters in the “new media” section would meet the standards required for such an important role. Goldberg also voiced concerns about the quality of reporting under this new setup, saying, “We can’t just spout stuff. So I want that for everybody.”

Despite the criticisms from The View panelists, many have praised Leavitt’s assertiveness in her first briefing. Leavitt, in her announcement, also vowed to restore press credentials for reporters whose passes were revoked by the Biden administration, further solidifying her stance on transparency and media freedom. As the youngest-ever press secretary, she has quickly become a divisive figure in American politics, with her supporters praising her bold approach while her detractors continue to challenge her stance on key issues.

The incident on The View has sparked important discussions about the treatment of women in politics, with many questioning the value of reducing a woman’s success to her physical appearance rather than her capabilities. As Leavitt’s tenure as press secretary unfolds, it will be interesting to see how her leadership is perceived both inside the White House and by the public.

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