Disney CEO Reportedly Asked 'The View' Hosts to Dial Down Trump Attacks
According to a new report from The Daily Beast (May 21, 2025), Disney CEO Bob Iger and ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic have privately asked the co-hosts of The View to tone down their frequent criticism of President Donald Trump. The alleged request was delivered during a meeting between Karamehmedovic, executive producer Brian Teta, and the show’s panel, which includes Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, Sara Haines, and Alyssa Farah Griffin.
The Ask: Less Trump, More Celebs?
Sources familiar with the conversation said Karamehmedovic encouraged the show to broaden its focus beyond politics and highlighted higher-rated episodes that featured celebrity guests. While not presented as a formal directive, the suggestion was clear enough to provoke a strong response from the panel. One insider characterized the hosts' pushback as essentially saying, "This is what our audience wants. Isn’t it gonna look kind of bad if we’re all of a sudden not talking about politics?"
Despite the internal friction, the hosts reportedly decided to continue business as usual, brushing off the suggestion as "silly."
The Message Goes Straight to the Top
The editorial nudge reportedly didn’t stop there. During Disney’s Upfront presentation to advertisers last week, Ana Navarro personally thanked Iger for supporting the show. Iger allegedly reaffirmed his support—but also reiterated the message: tone down the political edge. That exchange confirmed to several hosts that the request came directly from Disney’s top executive.
“Bob Iger writes a check for $15 million and then the FCC opens an investigation into DEI? What are they thinking?” one source said. “If anybody could stand up to Trump, it’s Bob Iger, and he already decided not to.”
ABC News declined to comment, and Disney did not respond to multiple requests. Navarro also did not comment.
Ratings Say Otherwise
Interestingly, The View has shown no signs of political fatigue when it comes to ratings. It remains the No. 1 daytime network talk show for Q1 of 2025, outperforming The Faulkner Focus on Fox News among total viewers and the key 25-54 female demographic, per TheWrap.
Even in early May, the show beat competitors like NBC’s TODAY Third Hour and TODAY with Jenna & Friends. So while higher-ups may be urging a gentler tone, the numbers suggest viewers are still tuning in for political hot takes.
Context: A Climate of Pressure on the Press
The alleged pressure on The View comes amid a broader climate of media caution around Trump. Disney settled a lawsuit with the Trump Presidential Library in 2024, reportedly paying $15 million and $1 million in legal fees to avoid a First Amendment-defining trial over a contested interview. Paramount Global is also embroiled in a $20 billion lawsuit from Trump over a 60 Minutes segment. The fallout has already led to the resignation of CBS News chief Wendy McMahon.
Meanwhile, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into Disney and ABC’s DEI policies, while Trump continues to lash out at mainstream news outlets, recently targeting NBC and Comcast.
The View's Role in Political Discourse
The View, a daytime staple and Barbara Walters’ crown jewel, has become an influential platform for political discussion. Past presidents including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris have appeared on the show, while Trump himself was once a recurring guest until tensions rose during the 2016 election cycle.
After Trump's 2024 reelection, the show has remained a vocal critic of the administration. Just this week, The View hosted a lengthy interview with Joe and Jill Biden, discussed Trump’s alleged cognitive decline, and roasted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her confused comments about habeas corpus.
Playing It Down—Or Playing It Smart?
Despite the internal messaging, some signs of tonal adjustment have emerged. During a recent discussion, Alyssa Farah Griffin acknowledged Trump’s approval rating was higher than the Democratic Party’s and suggested viewers may be feeling "gaslit" by the current administration. Still, the political discourse hasn't disappeared—if anything, it's being more carefully balanced.
As the 2024 election looms in the rearview mirror, and another showdown with Trump heats up, The View remains one of the few mainstream platforms where daytime audiences can hear full-throated critiques of the president. Whether Disney can really convince Goldberg and company to lay off Trump remains to be seen.
[Source: The Daily Beast]