ABC Warns ‘The View’ Hosts to Dial It Back on Trump Amid Network Shake-Up

Tensions are mounting behind the scenes at ABC’s hit daytime talk show The View, as the network reportedly instructs its outspoken co-hosts to tone down their criticism of President Donald Trump.

The warning comes during a period of significant turmoil at ABC. Amid sweeping layoffs affecting multiple departments—including long-serving staff on The View—insiders say the show’s leadership is urging its panel to approach political commentary with more caution. The reported directive, handed down by executive producer Brian Teta, arrived just weeks before Trump’s upcoming inauguration for his non-consecutive term as the 47th President.

“There’s a very real sense of anxiety backstage,” one staff member revealed. “It’s not just about what’s said on air anymore—it’s about job security.”

Despite pulling in a strong average of 2.6 million viewers over the past month, the tone off-camera is anything but celebratory. Sources say at least nine staffers were recently laid off in a cost-cutting measure, including respected producers Jamie Hammer and Audrey Jones. The move, part of a broader restructuring under ABC’s parent company Disney, has rattled morale throughout the organization.

Backstage Battle Over Studio Turf

Adding fuel to the fire, ABC’s recent move of The View to its new Hudson Square headquarters in Manhattan has sparked logistical headaches and turf wars. The show now shares studio space with The Tamron Hall Show, a shift that has not gone over well with The View‘s cast.

“Tamron Hall thinks she’s Oprah,” one insider claimed. “She makes diva demands, but this is The View. It’s the network’s crown jewel.”

The co-hosts are reportedly frustrated by having to share dressing rooms with Hall’s guests and have faced issues with overlapping taping schedules. The behind-the-scenes drama has created scheduling chaos, forcing staff to juggle limited studio time.

Not everyone is upset, however. Another source credited both production teams for keeping things professional despite the cramped quarters and added pressure.

A New Studio, New Problems

The move to Hudson Square has also sparked discontent among production staff. Employees describe the new workspace as “bare-bones,” citing a lack of private offices, insufficient desk space, and a challenging commute made worse by the nearby Holland Tunnel’s constant traffic.

“It’s cramped, it’s noisy, and there’s just not enough room,” one staffer complained. “It feels like we downgraded.”

ABC pushed back on those claims, with a spokesperson calling the new building “gorgeous” and insisting there are “plenty of desks.” Still, staffers say the atmosphere remains tense as fears of further layoffs loom.

A Shift in Political Tone?

Amid all the internal friction, there are signs that the hosts themselves may be adjusting their public personas. Co-host Sara Haines recently expressed discomfort about being out of step with some of the show’s viewers due to her opposition to Trump.

Meanwhile, conservative-leaning co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump administration official who later endorsed Kamala Harris, has been pushing for more balanced discourse. In a recent on-air exchange, she clashed with Whoopi Goldberg over the need to engage conservative audiences.

“Democrats have to be willing to go into uncomfortable spaces,” Griffin said. “We can’t just write off half the country.”

As ABC attempts to navigate corporate cost-cutting and evolving political dynamics, The View appears to be at a critical juncture. The question is no longer whether the show will talk politics—it always will—but how far it’s willing to go in this new era of heightened scrutiny and internal instability.

For now, the drama behind the camera may rival the drama on screen.