Joy Behar has sparked outrage after making a sexist remark about Karoline Leavitt, the newly appointed White House Press Secretary, suggesting that her looks were the reason behind her rise to the position.
On The View, Behar remarked, “She’s probably been put in there because, according to Donald Trump, she’s a 10.” This comment immediately drew backlash, with many critics accusing Behar of reducing Leavitt’s career achievements to superficiality rather than acknowledging her qualifications.
Former Trump administration official Alyssa Farah Griffin quickly defended Leavitt, pointing out that this was not her first job, just her first press briefing. Farah took issue with Behar’s dismissive comment, highlighting that Leavitt had worked hard to reach this point, dismissing the notion that she owed her position to her appearance.
Whoopi Goldberg also weighed in, criticizing Leavitt’s first press conference. Goldberg took particular offense to Leavitt’s comments about eliminating funding for transgender issues and “wokeness” in federal agencies. According to Goldberg, without “wokeness,” Leavitt wouldn’t have the opportunities she has today. Goldberg argued that women’s struggles for equality and civil rights created the space for women like Leavitt to succeed.
Goldberg went further, saying, “Women were not invited to that table,” adding that past struggles had paved the way for the opportunities Leavitt now enjoys. She contended that Leavitt’s remarks on “wokeness” showed a lack of understanding of the concept’s importance in breaking down societal barriers for marginalized groups.
While Leavitt’s comments on media trust and “wokeness” ruffled feathers, they also earned praise from many on social media. Supporters argued that she was simply expressing her beliefs and standing up for conservative values. One commenter pointed out that, despite Behar’s attacks, Leavitt had earned the role through hard work and not just her looks.
Leavitt made headlines on Tuesday when she introduced a “new media” section in the White House press pool. She criticized traditional media outlets for their portrayal of President Trump, and promised to hold them accountable for any misinformation. As part of the new approach, two seats normally reserved for White House staff will now be designated for new media outlets, giving them the chance to ask the first questions.
Leavitt also announced that 440 press credentials, which were revoked by the Biden administration, would be reinstated under the Trump 2.0 administration. This move received praise for its transparency, but the hosts of The View expressed skepticism. Sunny Hostin doubted that the “new media” reporters would be qualified to participate, and Goldberg argued that the new approach could lead to misinformation.
Despite the criticism from The View hosts, many believe Leavitt’s changes signal a new era of media transparency and accountability at the White House.
