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Showrunner Brian Teta was said to have relayed the message to the show’s staff before the 2025 inauguration. He advised “going easy” on Trump commentary—a directive that allegedly triggered internal strife.
The tension reached a boiling point after a November broadcast required four separate legal disclaimers while co-hosts discussed allegations surrounding several of Trump’s cabinet picks.
ABC insiders explained that such editorial interventions are not uncommon. “ABC executives constantly have conversations with talent based on viewer feedback, and this instance was no different,” said one source familiar with the decision.
But according to insiders, this wasn’t just any editorial suggestion—it was a push to rebrand “The View.”
“The View” Stars Push Back: “This is what our audience wants.”
Karamehmedovic reportedly met directly with the show’s hosts and Teta to push a broader, less politically charged agenda. He advocated more celebrity-driven and lifestyle content, arguing those segments pull better ratings.
However, his proposal was met with stiff resistance.
The panel, especially Ana Navarro, wasn’t buying it. “This is what our audience wants,” Navarro argued during the meeting, according to a source. “Isn’t it gonna look kind of bad if we’re all of a sudden not talking about politics?”
Even with management’s quiet push, the co-hosts have largely chosen to ignore the directive. As the source explained, the ladies have “opted to keep doing their thing.”
Despite repeated pressure to tone down political talk, Thursday’s show still featured Trump-heavy segments, including critiques of his remarks during the South African president’s visit and discussions about a lavish plane gifted by Qatar to the Pentagon for future Air Force One use.
Why Now? Legal Pressure, PR Damage, and Trump Lawsuits
This behind-the-scenes tension comes at a sensitive time for Disney and ABC.
Late last year, Disney forked over $16 million to settle a lawsuit with Trump. The deal included $15 million earmarked for Trump’s presidential library and $1 million for legal fees. The dispute centered on a misleading comment by ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos, who wrongly characterized a civil ruling against Trump as a rape conviction.
The legal battles don’t stop there.
Trump is currently suing CBS and parent company Paramount Global for a jaw-dropping $20 billion. The lawsuit stems from a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Though CBS called the case “meritless,” sources say the network has entered mediation to protect its high-stakes merger with Skydance Media.
The fallout has already claimed high-profile casualties: “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens and CBS News President Wendy McMahon both exited under mounting pressure.
A Culture War on Set
The drama unfolding on the set of “The View” is just the latest chapter in Disney’s ongoing clash with Trump-aligned America. For years, the entertainment empire has leaned into progressive politics, but now, with Trump back in the White House and lawsuits piling up, even the Mouse House seems to be second-guessing its approach.
Whether it’s legal settlements, public relations clean-ups, or viewer pushback, it’s clear that the tide is turning—and not everyone at Disney is ready for it.
And if the ladies of “The View” have anything to say about it, the war of words won’t end anytime soon.
