Tensions are boiling behind the scenes at ABC’s flagship daytime talk show, The View, as co-hosts come under pressure to dial back their sharp attacks on President Trump. This push for a softer tone arrives amid sweeping staff layoffs at ABC, casting a shadow over the show’s usually lively atmosphere.
Insiders reveal that executive producer Brian Teta has urged the panel—Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro—to tread lightly when discussing the 45th president. The directive, reportedly issued in the weeks before Trump’s inauguration, signals a notable shift in ABC’s approach to political commentary.
Despite pulling in a strong 2.6 million viewers over the past month, the mood backstage is anything but upbeat. At least nine staffers, including veteran producers Jamie Hammer and Audrey Jones, were suddenly cut in a cost-saving move described by one source as “shocking.” Morale has taken a nosedive, with remaining employees bracing for the possibility of even deeper cuts.
“There’s a palpable sense of unease. Everyone feels like they’re just waiting for the next wave of layoffs,” a source confided. ABC’s cuts are part of a wider shakeup by parent company Disney, which has been aggressively trimming jobs since last October in a major corporate restructuring.
Turf Wars Behind the Scenes
Beyond the mounting political pressure, The View’s cast is also grappling with frustrations over their new studio setup. Since ABC moved production to its downtown Hudson Square headquarters, the co-hosts have been squeezed into shared studio space alongside The Tamron Hall Show. The cramped quarters have sparked clashes over dressing rooms and taping schedules, adding another layer of tension to an already fraught environment.
An insider spilled that the ladies of The View are growing increasingly frustrated as their star-studded guests are now forced to share cramped dressing rooms with The Tamron Hall Show cast. The shared space has sparked scheduling headaches, with both shows competing fiercely for limited studio time.
“Tamron Hall thinks she’s Oprah,” the source said bluntly. “She makes big demands, but at the end of the day, The View is still the network’s top priority.”
That said, not everyone is sounding the alarm. Another insider praised both teams for managing to work together smoothly despite the tight quarters and ongoing challenges, highlighting a surprising level of professionalism behind the scenes.
Staff Frustration Mounts Over ABC’s Hudson Square Move
The relocation to Hudson Square hasn’t just ruffled feathers among The View hosts — it’s been a major headache for staffers, too. Employees are squeezed into cramped workspaces, struggling with scarce office supplies, and enduring grueling commutes through the traffic-choked streets near the Holland Tunnel.
“The new office is bare-bones at best. Not enough space, no private executive suites, and barely enough desks,” one insider complained. But a network spokesperson pushed back, insisting there are “plenty of desks” and calling the building “gorgeous.”
Regardless of the spin, one thing is undeniable: tensions at ABC are anything but settled.
A More Cautious Approach to Trump
With job security hanging in the balance, The View co-hosts seem to be recalibrating their approach to discussions about Trump. Just last month, Sara Haines candidly admitted she felt disconnected from the audience because she and her fellow panelists didn’t back the former president. Meanwhile, Alyssa Farah Griffin—once a Trump insider turned Kamala Harris supporter—recently sparred with Whoopi Goldberg over the importance of reaching conservative voters.
“Democrats have to be willing to go to uncomfortable spaces,” Griffin argued, even acknowledging agreement with some of Trump’s policies.
Now, The View finds itself at a pivotal moment. Will it stick to its long-standing, fiery criticism of Trump, or will ABC’s internal shake-ups push the show toward a softer tone? One thing is certain: the real drama is unfolding far beyond the cameras.
