The View co-hosts Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg recently sparked significant controversy with their comments about Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House Press Secretary in history.
In particular, Behar and Goldberg suggested that Karoline Leavitt's appointment had been driven by her appearance and 'wokeness,' thereby igniting backlash and debates about her qualifications, Daily Mail reported.
Furthermore, during Wednesday’s episode of The View, Joy Behar remarked about Leavitt, stating, "She's probably been put in there because, according to Donald Trump, she's a 10. You know that's what it is." Her comment implied that the former president’s perception of Leavitt’s appearance played a significant role in her appointment.
Whoopi Goldberg also joined the discussion, focusing on the role of "wokeness" in recent hiring practices. She argued that, as a result of such movements, women had gained access to areas traditionally dominated by men, indirectly suggesting that these factors contributed to Leavitt's career advancement.
"Let me explain, without that wokeness, you might not have that job. Because women were not invited to that table. Women were not invited to many tables in this nation," Goldberg stated.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a current panelist on The View and former Trump administration staffer, countered Behar's implication by citing Leavitt’s professional background and aptitude. "It wasn't her first job, it was just her first press briefing," said Griffin, emphasizing Leavitt's pre-existing qualifications.
In contrast, Karoline Leavitt commenced her role with a strong stance against what she termed biased media coverage. During her first press conference on Tuesday, she criticized traditional media outlets and, moreover, unveiled plans to innovate media interaction at the White House.
Leavitt announced the introduction of 'new media' seats in the White House press briefing room. She detailed, "Starting today this seat in the front of the room, which is usually occupied by the press secretary's staff, will be called the 'new media' seat."
She explained that these seats would go to 'new media' outlets that meet defined criteria and pass security protocols. This change reflects her effort to diversify the voices present during press briefings.
The new secretary also revealed that 440 press passes revoked by the previous administration would be reinstated, potentially changing the composition of the media pool.
Meanwhile, this occurred amidst a media-packed first briefing, which underscored the attention her appointment had garnered due to her being the youngest ever in the position at age 27.
The public response on social media was swift and divided. Many criticized Behar and Goldberg’s comments as inappropriate and dismissive of Leavitt’s capabilities. For instance, one social media user expressed support by saying, "She got the job because she is qualified."
On the other hand, others hinted at double standards in media rhetoric, highlighting the harsh tone often reserved for individuals affiliated with certain political perspectives. As one user pointed out, "If a Republican said anything remotely like that they would be pilloried."
Ultimately, the incident has spurred broader discussions about the criteria for political appointments, the influence of appearance in politics, and the ongoing debate over what constitutes 'wokeness' in public discourse. Moreover, these conversations continue to evolve as public scrutiny intensifies.
As Behar's and Goldberg's comments continue to reverberate, they serve as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play between the media and those in political power, particularly when it intersects with issues of gender and race. This ongoing dialogue highlights the challenges of navigating political discourse in a media-driven society.
