Sunny Hostin, co-host of "The View," has sharply criticized White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's recent remarks characterizing some members of Generation Z as "lazy." Hostin questioned the validity of Leavitt's statements, particularly in light of Leavitt's personal circumstances.
Leavitt, 28, stated on "Jesse Watters Primetime" on July 2 that younger generations have been raised with "silver spoons in their mouths" and "just getting everything handed to them." Hostin, 57, responded on "The View" on Wednesday, calling Leavitt's comments "rich." She highlighted that Leavitt is married to Nicholas Riccio, a 61-year-old multimillionaire real estate developer, and pointed out that Leavitt herself had given birth to the couple's second child in May.
"So I’m not sure where she comes off saying that Gen-Zers are lazy," Hostin stated. "I’m raising Gen-Zers. They work constantly and I know, I can see it. They make a lot less money. They live paycheck to paycheck."
Hostin cited statistics indicating that two-thirds of Gen Z individuals are in the workforce, and 42% report living paycheck to paycheck. "The View" moderator Whoopi Goldberg noted that Leavitt's remarks had drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Leavitt's comments were made in the context of a discussion about the perceived rise of communism within the Democratic Party and why young people are drawn to progressive promises.
"That's not the values this country was built on," Leavitt said during the segment. "It was built on meritocracy, hard work, pulling up your sleeves, pulling yourself up from your bootstraps and achieving the American dream."
Joy Behar, another co-host, echoed Hostin's sentiment, calling Leavitt's statements "gross." Behar suggested that Leavitt's own life experience, including her education and marriage to a wealthy individual, might create a disconnect. Behar also referenced Leavitt's public stance against "DEI hiring practices" in federal agencies.
However, "The View" panelist Alyssa Farah Griffin offered a different perspective, defending Leavitt's career achievements. Griffin noted that Leavitt, at 28, has had a significant career in politics and media, earning over $1 million herself, and thus achieved her position through hard work. Griffin acknowledged that Leavitt's personal financial success might present a "blind spot" regarding the economic challenges faced by the average citizen. Griffin added that it has been increasingly difficult for younger generations to get ahead financially in recent decades, pointing out that the average first-time home buyer is now in their 40s.