The View was uncharacteristically silent about its network ABC pulling Jimmy Kimmel from the airwaves after FCC scrutiny over misinformation on the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk. Now it seems the regulatory government agency may be turning its eye toward Whoopi Goldberg and her co-hosts.
The women of The View are never shy about jumping into the political fray. Whether it’s Republican candidates, conservative activists, or Supreme Court rulings, Whoopi Goldberg and her co-hosts always offer commentary with an unmistakable partisan edge. That’s why their silence this week was deafening.
A screenshot of Jimmy Kimmel crying on TV after the election of Donald Trump – YouTube, Jimmy Kimmel Live
When Disney-owned ABC abruptly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air following the late-night host’s inflammatory misinformation about the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, the fallout dominated Hollywood and Washington alike. Yet The View didn’t mention Kimmel at all. For a program built on political hot takes, the omission was extraordinary.
And now the controversy has escalated even further, with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr saying it would be “worthwhile” for the agency to investigate whether The View qualifies as a “bona fide news program.”
Kimmel’s Suspension and the Domino Effect
Jimmy Kimmel set off a firestorm after suggesting that Kirk’s alleged assassin was a Trump supporter. The remarks were widely denounced as misinformation. Disney executives Bob Iger and Dana Walden quickly preempted his show, pulling it from the schedule “indefinitely.”
Jimmy Kimmel reading tweets from President Trump at The Oscars – YouTube, New York Post
FCC Chair Brendan Carr didn’t hold back. He blasted Kimmel’s rhetoric as “truly sick” and raised the specter of federal review. The target of that review, however, may not just be Kimmel—it could also include The View, a program long accused of leaning left while enjoying the protections of a bona fide news designation.
The FCC Rules at Stake
To understand why Carr’s comments on The View matter, here’s how the FCC rules break down:
- Broadcast licensees must serve the public interest. Over-the-air stations only exist by FCC license, which comes with a duty to operate in the public interest.
- Section 315’s equal opportunity rule. Also called the “equal time” rule, this requires that when a broadcaster gives airtime to one candidate for public office, it must provide equal opportunities to all other candidates for that office.
- The bona fide news exemption. Programs classified as bona fide news are shielded from those equal time requirements. This allows them to interview one candidate without having to automatically book all of their rivals.
- What happens if the exemption is lost? If The View were ruled not to qualify, ABC could be forced to change guest bookings or provide airtime to political opponents. That would radically alter the show’s format.
- First Amendment concerns. Any investigation risks accusations of censorship, but the FCC does have authority to regulate license holders in the name of public interest. That tension is now front and center.
The View’s Conspicuous Silence
Normally, The View would jump at the chance to roast Republicans over Kimmel’s suspension. Instead, the panel kept quiet, choosing instead to rail against United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Reports from People Magazine and Business Insider both noted the omission, with viewers expressing surprise that the women avoided one of the week’s biggest stories.
The hosts of The View applaud Anthony Weiner – YouTube, The View
Why the sudden discretion? Speculation ranges from corporate directives at ABC to simple fear of drawing regulatory fire. If Carr is serious about reexamining the bona fide news exemption, every segment could become evidence in a federal case.
What It Could Mean
The implications of the FCC looking into The View are serious:
- The View could be forced to reformat or rebalance its guest roster if stripped of news protections.
- ABC and Disney risk a reputational hit as accusations of bias collide with regulatory enforcement.
- The debate may set a precedent for other politically charged talk shows, forcing daytime television to rethink how it blends politics and entertainment.
Final Thoughts
The fact that The View fell silent on Jimmy Kimmel tells us everything. This wasn’t oversight—it was self-preservation.
Sunny Hostin issuing a legal notice on The View – YouTube, Page Six
With FCC scrutiny of The View building, the loudest talk show on daytime TV suddenly has reason to hold its tongue. And if the FCC does move forward, Whoopi and her co-hosts may find themselves at the center of a legal battle that could redefine what political commentary looks like on broadcast television.
Do you think the FCC will take action against The View? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
