Skip to main content

The View co-host Joy Behar has publicly criticized Carrie Underwood in the past, most notably over the singer’s decision to perform at Donald Trump’s 2025 presidential inauguration. During a 2025 episode of the show, Behar questioned how Underwood could say she “loves” her country while participating in an event tied to a figure she strongly opposed. The remarks sparked immediate backlash, including from former co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. In 2026, Underwood visited The View for an interview, and Behar left the table. Here’s what really went down and why.

Joy Behar temporarily left ‘The View’ table when ‘American Idol’ judge Carrie Underwood was set to join

Joy Behar might remain critical of American Idol winner and judge Carrie Underwood in 2026. According to Entertainment Weekly, Behar and her colleague, Sara Haines, had left The View Hot Topics table when Lionel Ritchie, Luke Bryan, and Underwood were set to begin an interview. Haines and Behar were present for the first half of the show, skipping out on the interview portion.

The publication noted that some View co-hosts will leave the table so guests can have more space. However, fans remember Behar’s past criticism of Underwood. This sparked discussion regarding the real reason behind Behar’s absence and whether it had to do with her personal feelings toward the singer. Once the live broadcast ended, Behar returned to the table.

So, did Behar’s absence have to do with a personal dislike of Underwood? A source close to the situation told Entertainment Weekly that it was actually nothing personal. The source said Behar’s absence was a “production decision” so that the three interview guests could be seated at the table.

‘The View’ co-host questioned the ‘American Idol’ winner’s choice to sing at Donald Trump’s inauguration

Related

Carrie Underwood Has Spent Years Avoiding Politics — Here’s Why She Won’t Pick a Side

Joy Behar was sharply critical of Carrie Underwood’s choice to sing at Donald Trump’s 2025 presidential inauguration.

“I wouldn’t do it — even though I cannot sing,” Behar said in 2025. “I would not normalize him. She says, ‘I love our country.’ How do you love your country and support and normalize somebody who was a convicted felon, who really wants to destroy the country, in my opinion? I don’t understand how you say you love your country at the same time as you normalize this convicted felon.”

Elisabeth Hasselbeck later took to X to defend Underwood.

“That @TheView @JoyVBehar needs to simmer down off my friend,” she wrote, according to People. She then posted a photo to her Instagram Stories with the caption, “Joy — @carrieunderwood is an INCREDIBLE WOMAN. You could learn from her strength.”

Despite this brief feud, Hasselbeck and Behar reunited on The View in March 2026.

“I missed you yesterday, Joy,” Hasselbeck said.

“It’s like the old days with me and Elisabeth, how long were we here together?” Behar added.

Hasselbeck also referenced how she and her co-stars might not always agree politically, but they come out “stronger” after all is said and done.

“We might have differences of opinion, but we love each other, and we’re stronger,” Hasselbeck said when returning to The View in March 2026. “I actually think for the young people watching it’s important to see that you can have — Whoopi, you’ve said it before — we can hold our positions in one hand, and each other’s hand in the other, and be able to just live as Americans with the freedom that we have and speak our hearts and minds.”

Best in News