Ana Navarro Fires Back at Ben Shapiro Over His Take on Jennifer Lopez: “Stop Policing Women’s Joy”

Ana Navarro is not here for Ben Shapiro’s hot takes on Jennifer Lopez — and she’s making that crystal clear.

The outspoken co-host of The View took to social media late Thursday to clap back at the conservative commentator, who recently criticized Lopez for “pretending to be 17” after she kissed two of her backup dancers during a fiery American Music Awards performance. Shapiro’s remarks sparked a wave of online debate, but it was Navarro’s pointed response that turned heads.

“Ben Shapiro is out here getting mad at women over 50 enjoying themselves,” Navarro posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Imagine being this threatened by female confidence and sexuality. Let J.Lo dance, kiss, sparkle, and thrive.”

Shapiro had blasted the AMAs performance on his podcast earlier in the week, mocking Lopez for what he called “desperate antics” and accusing celebrities of “refusing to age with dignity.” He also said the pop icon was “trying to act like a teenager” and “embarrassing herself.”

But Navarro, never one to stay silent in the face of what she sees as sexism, wasn’t having it.

“We need to stop policing women’s joy — especially when men half her age act twice as immature on stage and no one says a word,” she added.

Lopez’s Performance Sparks Cultural Divide

Jennifer Lopez’s AMAs appearance, which featured her in a sparkly bodysuit performing a sultry dance routine before kissing two male backup dancers, was celebrated by many as bold, sexy, and empowering. But Shapiro and some of his audience saw it differently — using it as a launching point for broader criticisms of modern celebrity culture.

Navarro’s defense of Lopez comes amid growing backlash against the double standards female entertainers continue to face. While male performers are routinely praised for retaining their charisma and swagger into their later years, women — especially those over 50 — are often shamed for doing the same.

“J.Lo is 54, stunning, successful, and still commanding a stage like no one else,” Navarro wrote. “If that bothers you, maybe the problem isn’t her — it’s your own outdated expectations.”

A Culture Clash with No Signs of Slowing Down

This latest spat between Navarro and Shapiro underscores the ongoing culture war around age, gender, and how much freedom women are “allowed” to have in the public eye. For her part, Lopez has remained quiet on the controversy, letting her performance — and the standing ovation it received — speak for itself.

But for Navarro, silence was never an option.

“Let’s stop acting like joy, sex appeal, and confidence have an expiration date,” she concluded. “Jennifer Lopez is living proof that they don’t.”