The hosts of the popular daytime show “The View” found themselves in potential danger during its Friday broadcast, as they were forced to make four “legal notes” after discussing several allegations.
A legal note is a disclaimer provided to the show’s hosts by the subject’s lawyers. The notes were made on air while Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin were discussing current topics.
The first note was made while Behar was discussing George Santos and the former congressman’s 23 criminal charges.
Minutes after discussing Santos, she was forced to read a message from the show’s producers.
“One minute, I just got a note,” Behar told the audience. “We have to clarify that Santos eventually reached a plea deal after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.”
“Is that a legal note?” co-host Haines asked.
“Kind of, it’s a clarification,” Behar said.
Later on in the show, the hosts talked about sexual assault allegations against Matt Gaetz, Trump’s first pick for attorney general, and Pete Hegseth, his defense secretary pick.
After making comments regarding the men, Hostin was forced to read out denials provided by both men’s lawyers regarding the allegations.
“I have a legal note. Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations and has not been charged with any crime,” Hostin said.
“Also, another legal note. Pete Hegseth’s lawyer said he paid the woman [his assault accuser] in 2023 to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. He has denied any wrongdoing,” she went on to add.
Just minutes later, Hostin issued the show’s fourth note, this time pertaining to Pam Bondi, Trump’s new pick to be attorney general.
“I’m sorry, everyone. I have another legal note,” Hostin said, drawing groans and an “Oh god!” from Behar.
“Both Trump and Bondi have denied allegations of a quid pro quo that his past donation played any role in her office’s decision not to take legal action against Trump University when she was attorney general of Florida,” Hostin stated.
Navarro joked that the show is just going to be “legal notes and things we’re selling,” to which Behard joked they should rename the show “The Legal Note.”
While the hosts of the show made light of the situation, many took to social media to criticize the show and its hosts.
Right-wing comedian Tim Young wrote on X that the group’s disclaimers were nothing but them admitting they were lying.
“Sunny Hostin had to read ANOTHER legal retraction on ‘The View,” Young wrote. “She had to correct for their lies about Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth… Someone needs to sue these people into oblivion already.”