Joy Behar told Alyssa Farah-Griffin, resident conservative co-host of The View who has been an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, that she must support President Joe Biden's re-election bid this November.
During a Thursday broadcast of the program, Behar, Farah-Griffin and fellow co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, and Sara Haines, discussed former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain's recent remarks encouraging Biden to focus on inflation rather than "bridges" to connect with prospective voters.
Goldberg took issue with Klain's comments, noting Biden appeared to be concerned with infrastructure following last month's collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Goldberg then said she blamed retailers for inflation rather than Biden's economic policies.
"What is the other one doing besides selling Bibles to get himself money to get out of prison," Behar interjected in reference to Trump's recent Bible collaboration with singer and songwriter Lee Greenwood.
Farah-Griffin acknowledged the panel's concerns, though said Biden should not be above criticism.
"There's no bigger cheerleader of Biden than Ron Klain," she said, adding she wanted Trump to lose before echoing Klain's remarks. "What I hear when I talk to undecideds is the groceries bills are—"
Goldberg cut off Farah-Griffin, saying if people "knew civics" they would understand Biden couldn't dictate grocery prices.
Farah-Griffin attempted to explain her position, though was continually cut off by the panel who asked what Biden should do to combat inflation.
"People are bitching if he does stuff, they bitch if he doesn't do stuff," Goldberg said, appearing to downplay Farah-Griffin's concerns. "He's doing what he's supposed to be doing."
Farah-Griffin then gave a personal example in which she decided not to purchase an onion because the price had risen, though Goldberg bulldozed her concern and expressed frustration with Klain.
"When you say, 'I don't want him to be talking about bridges anymore,' it sounds like, to people who live and need that bridge, like they're being dismissive," Goldberg said.
Hostin said corporations should be "good corporate citizens and stop gouging [prices]."
"You know, people who are like you that say you hate ... can't stand Trump, you have to vote for Biden," Behar told Farah-Griffin.
Goldberg attempted to cut to a commercial break as Farah-Griffin expressed frustration over not having a chance to respond to Behar.
"He cannot be immune from criticism," Farah-Griffin insisted as the panel continued to talk over her. "I very well may get there, but if we shut down any criticism of him and say we can't raise issues on high grocery prices—"
A visibly frustrated Goldberg appeared to address off-screen producers saying, "I'm trying to let everybody talk."
"There's so many other things on the other side that are hideous and horrible that to talk about this part is fine, but ..." Behar said.
Haines said Trump secured his 2016 win because "people weren't always listening and watching the problem for what it was."
"I have a headache from listening and watching," Behar quipped before the segment went to commercial.
Klain threw criticism towards Biden in a leaked audio recording originally obtained by POLITICO.
"I think the president is out there too much talking about bridges," Klain reportedly says in the audio. "He does two or three events a week where he’s cutting a ribbon on a bridge. And here’s a bridge. Like I tell you, if you go into the grocery store, you go to the grocery store and, you know, eggs and milk are expensive, the fact that there’s a f---ing bridge is not [inaudible]."
Klain noted Biden was not a sitting member of Congress, nor was he seeking a seat, adding it was a "fool's errand" to focus on infrastructure rather than inflation.
"The president’s most effective economic message is contrast around whose side are you on, and compassion for the [pinch] of family budgets, and his agenda to bring down costs and raise incomes — and that lauding achievements — especially ones with abstract benefits — is less persuasive with voters," Klain told the outlet.
