The View is famous for its “Hot Topic” discussions. But the ABC talk show itself was the hot topic of the week after Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s return as co-host. She was one of several temporary fill-ins amid Alyssa Farah Griffin’s maternity leave. She went head-to-head with the other hosts on everything from the war in Iran to the firing of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. One of her co-hosts said that Elisabeth Hasselbeck can “take a punch.” Keep reading to find out what they meant by that.
Controversial Former Host Returns To The View
When Alyssa Farah Griffin announced in October that she was expecting her first child, viewers speculated about who would replace her during her maternity leave. Her baby boy arrived in February. ABC announced several guest co-hosts to fill in during Alyssa Farah Griffin’s maternity leave. A few of the choices were controversial, including the first guest host, Savannah Chrisley.
The reality star previously called out The View hosts for blasting President Trump’s decision to pardon her parents. Todd and Julie Chrisley were in prison after fraud convictions in 2022.
Conservative commentator Amanda Carpenter was the next guest co-host. Then Elisabeth Hasselbeck joined the panel for a week. She was a co-host on the show for a decade but left in 2013. The Survivor alum was known to get into intense arguments with her co-hosts. A lot of fans of the talk show threatened to boycott, but several media outlets suggested bringing Elisabeth Hasselbeck back for good after revitalizing the stale show.
Co-Host Says Elisabeth Hasselbeck Can ‘Take A Punch’
It didn’t take long after her return for Elisabeth Hasselbeck to tangle with her co-hosts. Over the course of several shows, she went head-to-head with Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin, despite seeming to bury her feud with Joy Behar.
While the audience at home saw Elisabeth Hasselbeck in heated debates, she revealed what it was like behind the scenes. The guest co-host joined Executive Producer Brian Teta on the show’s Behind the Table podcast to discuss her return.
Brian Teta told Elisabeth Hasselbeck that the headlines about the heated debates were “crazy.” She pointed out the double standard when men debate versus when women do. “It always made me laugh. With guys it’s like, ‘They had a great debate.’ When you put women there it’s like, ‘They fought, they pulled each other’s hair, they’re slashing each other with their nail,’” she said.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck went on to discuss how it was “fun” to debate her co-hosts, especially Sunny Hostin. “Actually, I felt alive, like, ‘Yeah, let’s go.’ I think Sunny felt the same way. Between breaks I was like, ‘That was cool, let’s go.’
🚨SAYING THE QUIET PART OUT LOUD: Elisabeth Hasselbeck confronts Sunny Hostin over her double standards on Operation Epic Fury vs. the 2011 bombing of Libya under Obama
Hasselbeck: [You disagree with the means, but] “Do you like the result?”
Hostin: “No, I don’t”
Hasselbeck:… pic.twitter.com/tNwtgpulMx
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 5, 2026
Brian Teta repeated to Elisabeth Hasselbeck what Sunny Hostin said on the podcast about sparring with her. Sunny Hostin said Elisabeth Hasselbeck can “give a punch” and “take a punch.”
While Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s return was complicated for the audience at home, it seems she was well-received by her co-hosts. Tell us in the comments if you want her to return full-time.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
