Disney CEO Bob Iger, ABC News boss told ‘The View' hosts to tone down anti-Trump criticism: report

New York Post

22-05-2025

Disney CEO Bob Iger and ABC News boss Almin Karamehmedovic have urged the hosts of the left-leaning daytime talk show 'The View' to scale back their political commentary, particularly their frequent criticisms of President Donald Trump, according to a report.
The move has sparked tension behind the scenes at the show, whose outspoken panel has become known for tackling political issues head-on, The Daily Beast reported on Wednesday.
In February, The Post reported that 'View' executive producer Brian Teta spoke to staffers at the show about 'going easy' on Trump-related commentary in the days leading up to the Jan. 20 inauguration — a move that led to tension in front of the cameras.
4 The co-hosts of 'The View' have reportedly been told to scale back political commentary. From left to right: Ana Navarro, Sara Haines, Whoopi Goldberg, Ellen Pompeo, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Sunny Hostin.
ABC via Getty Images
The directive was issued after co-hosts were forced to issue four 'legal notes' or disclaimers during a November broadcast while discussing allegations leveled at several of Trump's cabinet nominees.
A source familiar with the situation told The Post on Thursday that ABC officials 'constantly have conversations with talent based on viewer feedback and this instance was no different.'
The source noted that that 'The View' is an opinion show and that the co-hosts are paid to give their perspectives on a variety of topics, including politics.
'The View' co-hosts were being encouraged by their bosses to implement a 'balance of the show' and 'balance of the topics' and that the changes were not 'Trump-specific,' according to the source.
The source added that 'The View' on Thursday plans to discuss Trump and his remarks during the Oval Office visit by the president of South Africa as well as the Pentagon's recent announcement that it had accepted a luxury jet from Qatar to serve as a future Air Force One.
Since Trump's return to the White House following the 2024 election, 'View' co-hosts — Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Ana Navarro — have maintained a steady stream of commentary aimed at the administration's policies and rhetoric.
But top executives at Disney, including Iger and Karamehmedovic, are reportedly looking to shift the show's tone.
4 'The View' co-hosts are frequently critical of Trump.
REUTERS
Karamehmedovic reportedly met recently with the hosts and Teta to suggest a broader, less politically driven agenda.
According to two sources cited by The Daily Beast, he encouraged them to increase the focus on celebrity interviews and lifestyle segments, noting those episodes perform well with audiences. While Karamehmedovic's suggestion wasn't framed as a directive, it reportedly did not sit well with the panel.
One source familiar with the meeting said the hosts, particularly Navarro, pushed back, arguing that viewers expect 'The View' to provide strong political commentary — especially during such a volatile political climate.
'This is what our audience wants,' the source said, paraphrasing the group's response. 'Isn't it gonna look kind of bad if we're all of a sudden not talking about politics?'
4 During Disney's recent Upfronts — a high-stakes event where networks court advertisers — Navarro reportedly thanked Disney CEO Bob Iger (above) for supporting the show. Iger repeated the call to reduce political rhetoric, it was reported.
Getty Images
Despite the push, the hosts have largely decided to continue 'doing their thing,' the source said.
During Disney's recent Upfronts — a high-stakes event where networks court advertisers — Navarro reportedly thanked Iger for supporting the show. Iger reaffirmed his backing but also repeated the call to reduce political rhetoric.
According to The Daily Beast, this made clear that the message to shift tone had support at the highest levels of Disney leadership.
An ABC spokesperson declined to comment.
One source told The Daily Beast the conversation was part of ABC's routine feedback process based on viewer input.
'The View' has remained a ratings draw for Disney-owned ABC. According to Nielsen ratings, the show was the top-rated daytime network talk and news program during the first quarter of 2025.
4 ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic reportedly met recently with the hosts and Teta to suggest a broader, less politically driven agenda.
Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust
The internal tensions come amid broader pressure on Disney from Trump and his allies.
In December, Disney agreed to pay a $16 million settlement — including $15 million for Trump's presidential library and $1 million in legal fees –after the former president sued over an interview by ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos.
The anchor had incorrectly characterized a civil verdict against Trump as a rape conviction, rather than sexual abuse.
Trump is also suing CBS and its parent company Paramount Global for $20 billion over a '60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
While CBS has called the case meritless, the company has entered mediation talks to avoid complications for its ongoing merger with Skydance Media.
Fallout from the dispute has already led to the resignations of '60 Minutes' executive producer Bill Owens and CBS News chief Wendy McMahon.
Meanwhile, Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr — an outspoken Trump ally — has opened an investigation into Disney and ABC, citing concerns over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and signaling that the '60 Minutes' interview could affect regulatory decisions.