“The View” co-host Joy Behar surprised some viewers Tuesday by offering a relatively charitable assessment of Vice President JD Vance, saying she does not believe he is “a bad guy” and suggesting a future presidential contest between Vance and California Gov. Gavin Newsom would make for a compelling debate.
Speaking during the show’s “Behind the Table” segment, Behar reflected on Vance following his appearance on “The View” earlier in the day.
“Truthfully, as I said to you in the beginning of this conversation, I don’t think that he’s a bad guy,” Behar said. “So, if he runs against, say, Gavin Newsom, that’ll be an interesting debate to see those two because they’re both intelligent.”
The comments marked a notable departure from the typically adversarial tone that often characterizes discussions of the Trump administration on the ABC daytime program. Behar has long been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, his supporters and allies.
During the same discussion, Behar reaffirmed her support for the Democratic Party, insisting that Democrats are motivated by concern for working-class Americans and vulnerable populations.
“They care about the poor, they help people,” Behar said of Democrats.
“The Republican Party is much more about saving taxes for rich people. So I’m not a Republican,” she said.
Earlier Tuesday, Behar and her fellow co-hosts interviewed Vance in a wide-ranging conversation that featured sharp exchanges on race, immigration policy, and the Trump administration’s political agenda.
At one point, co-host Whoopi Goldberg asked Vance how people of color fit into the administration’s vision for the country.
“Maybe you don’t believe this coming from me, but I think everyone is welcome to our political coalition,” Vance responded.
The vice president’s appearance comes as speculation about the 2028 presidential race continues to grow. Trump has repeatedly praised Vance as a leader in the Republican Party’s future, while Newsom is widely viewed as a potential Democratic contender with ambitions to run.
Behar’s remarks are a rare departure from her typical disposition towards her ideological opponents, which is likely why her willingness to compliment Vance’s character and intelligence stood out to fans and critics alike.
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