Brace yourselves, View fans — the drama is about to explode! Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the conservative firebrand who famously clashed with cohosts during her decade on the show, is storming back to The View's Hot Topics table. This isn't just a guest appearance — it's a full-blown comeback after she publicly torched current host Joy Behar and declared the show has "no one with a lick of sense."
Hasselbeck, 48, will fill in for Alyssa Farah Griffin during maternity leave, but this temporary gig comes with major baggage. Just months ago, she launched a social media attack on Behar after the 83-year-old comedian questioned Carrie Underwood's decision to perform at Trump's inauguration. "That @TheView @JoyVBehar needs to simmer down off my friend," Hasselbeck posted, accusing Behar of labeling Underwood as "un-American" — though Behar never used those exact words.
But the real bombshell dropped during an interview with Sean Hannity. Hasselbeck didn't hold back: "The show refused to put anyone there who has a lick of sense on most days," she declared, suggesting Behar's criticism was "selfish personal publicity-gaining" and that the host was trying to stay relevant because "she knows the ship is sinking."
The original View crew: Rosie O'Donnell, Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck in 2006. Steve Fenn/ABC/Courtesy Everett
Now, in a stunning reversal, Hasselbeck says she's "excited to go back" and called the panel "a really intelligent group of women" — despite her previous scorching criticism. The whiplash-induring shift has fans wondering: Is this a genuine olive branch or strategic positioning?
This isn't Hasselbeck's first View controversy. Last year, Rosie O'Donnell reignited their infamous 2007 on-air blowout, claiming it was "a setup" by late producer Bill Geddie. Hasselbeck responded with tearful video messages inviting O'Donnell to "come over and swim in my pool" and "have open free dialogues." O'Donnell's camp remained silent.
The timing couldn't be more explosive. With Griffin's maternity leave creating an opening, producers are bringing back one of the show's most polarizing figures — someone who recently called the program a sinking ship. Will Hasselbeck and Behar bury the hatchet or reignite their feud on live television? One thing's certain: ratings are about to spike.
Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck during their View days. Yolanda Perez/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Producers are clearly banking on drama. Alongside Hasselbeck, fellow conservative Abby Huntsman will also guest host, creating what could be the most politically charged panel in recent memory. After Hasselbeck's previous guest appearances in 2022 and 2023, this return feels different — loaded with unresolved tension and public insults that haven't been addressed.
Will Hasselbeck's return heal old wounds or open new ones? Can she share a table with Behar after accusing her of sinking the show? Tune in to find out — because this comeback promises fireworks that could make their 2007 clash look like a polite disagreement.
