FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on Wednesday criticized "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin for urging Democrats to secure a Senate majority, drawing a parallel between her remarks and ABC's ongoing argument that the program should be exempt from federal political equal opportunity rules.
"ABC is arguing to the FCC that The View is a ‘bona fide news program’—just like Meet the Press—and thus exempt from the political equal opportunity rules," Carr stated on X, formerly Twitter. "Meanwhile, one of its hosts openly pleads for Democrats to win the Senate."
Hostin's comments came during a discussion on "The View" regarding Maine's Democratic Senate nominee, Graham Platner, who faced pressure to withdraw from the race. Hostin stated, "We’re in an existential crisis. We need to flip the Senate."
She further commented on the race, suggesting that Platner was beatable and that the party needed the right candidate to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. Hostin also asserted that Platner should not have a say in selecting his potential replacement if he were to step down.
Co-hosts on "The View" also weighed in on Platner's situation. Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump White House communications director, remarked on what she described as the Democrats' mishandling of the race. Sara Haines agreed that Platner should withdraw rather than attempt to influence the selection of a successor.
Joy Behar directly addressed controversies surrounding Platner, including his alleged association with a tattoo. Whoopi Goldberg added that the situation highlighted the need for parties to thoroughly vet candidates before voters support them.
The dispute centers on a petition filed by ABC, arguing that "The View" qualifies as a bona fide news interview program, which would exempt it from equal opportunity requirements. The FCC's Media Bureau had previously noted that these rules are intended to prevent broadcasters from "unfairly putting their thumbs on the scale" for political candidates.
ABC countered in a filing that the FCC had already addressed the issue in 2002 and that renewed scrutiny could threaten editorial independence. The network stated that "The First Amendment does not permit the government to sit in an editor’s chair."
An FCC spokesperson responded to the Associated Press, advising ABC to focus on "complying with its public interest obligations, rather than misleading the public about them."