Joy Behar and her fellow co-hosts on “The View” got into a heated moment while debating U.S. President Donald Trump’s TrumpRx initiative.
The ladies split over whether it meaningfully reduces drug costs or is politically motivated, with Behar even going as far as saying it could cause deaths.
The White House later responded to criticism from the show, defending the policy and blasting comments made by co-hosts, particularly Joy Behar.
Joy Behar Sparks Heated On-Air Clash On ‘The View’ Over Trump’s Latest Move
Co-hosts on “The View” clashed during Tuesday’s episode over President Donald Trump and his newly launched TrumpRx initiative, with some panelists praising the effort to reduce prescription drug prices. In contrast, others questioned the motives behind it.
The debate followed Monday’s White House announcement of TrumpRx.gov, a program designed to lower the cost of hundreds of generic medications through partnerships with major companies, including Amazon, GoodRx, and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.
The rollout also placed billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban alongside Trump despite years of public political disagreements between the two.
During the heated discussion, co-host Joy Behar criticized the branding of the initiative, joking that Trump’s history of failed ventures made her skeptical of anything carrying his name.
“Once Trump puts his name on prescriptions, we’re all going to die, okay?” she warned, per Fox News. “He put his name on the Trump Shuttle, the Trump Vodka, Trump University, the Trump Hotel, and my favorite, the casinos that all went bankrupt.”
Joy-Behar’s Fellow Co-Host Had A Completely Opposite Take On The Matter
Unlike Behar, her co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin defended the initiative, arguing that lowering medication prices should outweigh political divisions.
Griffin pointed out that one IVF-related medication she previously used was reportedly being offered at a tenth of its usual price through the platform.
She also praised Cuban’s long-running efforts to make prescription drugs more affordable, noting that many Americans are forced to cut back on essentials just to afford healthcare costs.
Griffin added: “You’re not going to convince me that, just because Trump is involved, we should be like, ‘Screw it, don’t bring down prescription drugs.’”
Other ‘The View’ Co-Hosts Were Skeptical About Trump’s New Plans For Prescription Drugs
Co-host Sunny Hostin remained skeptical, focusing on remarks Trump made during the launch event about wanting to make “people better, and keep them wealthy.”
Hostin argued the comment suggested the program could financially benefit Trump himself and questioned whether the effort was truly “well-intentioned.”
Sara Haines countered that many Americans are struggling with high medical expenses and said that if the program successfully reduces costs, voters are unlikely to care what it is called.
The conversation grew more intense when Hostin accused Griffin and Haines of being “naïve” as the hosts repeatedly talked over one another.
The quip seemingly set Haines off as she shouted, “Joy! We’re the wealthiest country, and we pay the most for drugs!”
“There are people that are literally suffering illnesses and cannot pay for their medicine. I can’t think of a sicker business model,” Haines continued.
A White House Spokesperson Branded Joy Behar An ‘Idiot’ For Her Remarks
During the heated debate, moderator Whoopi Goldberg attempted to calm the exchange, ultimately telling viewers they should judge the program based on whether it actually helps them save money.
“We’ll see how it works and if it works for y’all, do it. If it doesn’t, keep it moving,” she said.
Following the segment, White House spokesman Kush Desai responded sharply when contacted by Fox News Digital, dismissing Behar’s criticism and calling the longtime co-host “an idiot.”
Behar’s latest remarks came amid earlier criticism in which she questioned Trump’s comments about alleged wrongdoing by former President Barack Obama and suggested his rhetoric was driven by personal “jealousy.”
This sparked backlash from Trump, who at the time called on “The View” to be canceled.
White House Slams ‘The View’ Over ‘Herpes’ Joke Against Donald Trump
The White House has previously lashed out at Behar after remarks made on “The View” sparked controversy during a segment discussing Trump and tensions in the Middle East.
In March, Behar made an on-air joke about Iran gifting Trump with “herpes,” which quickly drew backlash online and from political commentators.
The remark was widely criticized and triggered a response from the White House, condemning the comment while accusing the show of repeatedly crossing the line between political commentary and inappropriate satire.
According to Entertainment Weekly, a White House spokesperson said that Behar is “an extremely unlikeable, talentless hack with a poorly rated TV show who clearly suffers from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.”