On Thursday’s episode of The View, co-host Sunny Hostin made unsubstantiated claims that former first lady Melania Trump not only “hates” her husband, former President Donald Trump, but is actively working to “take him out” of the political limelight. The bold statements by Hostin sparked reactions from her fellow co-hosts, who attempted to dial back her explosive comments.
The conversation stemmed from Melania Trump’s recent memoir and an accompanying advertisement in which she publicly voiced her support for abortion rights. In her memoir, Melania emphasizes the importance of a woman’s right to bodily autonomy, a stance that diverges significantly from the pro-life policies her husband has championed during his presidency and recent presidential campaign.
Hostin pointed to Melania’s public support for abortion as evidence of the former first lady’s discontent with her husband, interpreting her comments as a way for Melania to distance herself from Donald Trump’s political future. Hostin’s claim went beyond political analysis, with her suggesting that Melania’s disapproval of Trump goes much deeper.
“I think she hates him,” Hostin declared. “Okay, so we can all agree on that, that’s a given. I also think that she wants to take him out. She does not want to be the first lady anymore.”
Her speculation didn’t end there. Hostin continued to criticize Melania, referencing past reports about her dislike for certain duties as the first lady. “She destroyed the Rose Garden,” Hostin quipped. “Who hates Christmas? Melania Trump hates Christmas. She doesn’t want to decorate for Christmas, she doesn’t want to sleep in the same room as him, she can’t tolerate him.”
Hostin was referring to the much-criticized redesign of the White House Rose Garden during Melania’s time as first lady, and leaked recordings from 2020 in which Melania was heard expressing frustration about the traditional role of decorating for the holidays at the White House. These recordings fueled widespread speculation about her feelings towards her responsibilities as first lady, but Hostin’s comments were a significant leap, portraying Melania as being deeply unhappy with her marriage and Trump’s political ambitions.
As Hostin’s remarks about Melania’s personal life became more extreme, fellow co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar stepped in to challenge the unproven allegations. Behar immediately interjected, reminding Hostin that her claims about Melania were pure speculation.
“You don’t know all this,” Behar said, emphasizing that the conversation was veering into unsupported territory. “How do you know all this? You don’t know all this.”
Whoopi Goldberg, too, sought to soften the accusations, adding that Hostin’s claims were, at best, alleged. “Allegedly, that’s why I say allegedly,” Goldberg stated, pointing out that these were rumors at best.
Despite their attempts to tone down the conversation, Hostin remained firm in her assertions. Her commentary about Melania reflects ongoing public fascination with the former first lady’s private life, a topic that has frequently surfaced since Trump’s initial run for office in 2016. Throughout Trump’s presidency, many in the media and public speculated about Melania’s true feelings towards her husband and her role as first lady, though she has rarely provided public insight into her personal life.
The discussion on The View followed Melania Trump’s public statement on abortion rights, a topic that has become a significant point of debate in the 2024 election cycle. In her memoir and a subsequent promotional advertisement, Melania argued that women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies without government interference, stating, “There is no room for compromise” when it comes to women’s individual freedom.
This stance is noteworthy given Donald Trump’s historically conservative position on abortion. Though the former president has stopped short of calling for a national abortion ban, he has signaled support for stricter restrictions in certain states. Trump recently told NBC News that he opposes a November ballot initiative in Florida, his home state, that seeks to expand abortion access. His reluctance to support a federal abortion ban, however, has frustrated many pro-life advocates, who have expressed disappointment over his handling of the issue.
Melania’s advocacy for abortion rights marks a clear divergence from her husband’s policies, leading to speculation over her true motivations. Hostin interpreted this move as a way for Melania to signal her dissatisfaction with Trump’s presidential ambitions. She implied that Melania’s vocal support for abortion may be part of a larger effort to distance herself from her husband’s political career.
Sunny Hostin’s comments on The View reflect a broader trend in political discourse, where public figures are often subject to intense speculation about their private lives. Melania Trump, in particular, has long been the subject of rumors regarding her relationship with her husband. While Hostin’s claims about Melania “hating” Trump and wanting to “take him out” have no factual basis, they underscore the public’s continued fascination with the former first lady and her role in Donald Trump’s political journey.
As the 2024 presidential election intensifies, Melania Trump’s stance on issues like abortion may continue to be a topic of discussion. However, it remains to be seen whether her public advocacy on certain issues will have any significant impact on Trump’s campaign or his base of supporters.
