Joy Behar has ignited a firestorm of controversy following a sexist remark about Karoline Leavitt, the newly appointed White House Press Secretary. Behar’s comment on The View has been widely criticized for reducing Leavitt’s accomplishments to her appearance, claiming that she was promoted due to being a “10” in Donald Trump’s eyes.
The Controversial Comment
Joy Behar during an episode on ‘The View’, Photo Credit: Sky News Australia/Youtube
Behar’s remark, made during a segment on The View, was:
“She’s probably been put in there because, according to Donald Trump, she’s a 10.”
This immediately sparked outrage on social media and from fellow political figures. Critics accused Behar of undermining Leavitt’s qualifications, suggesting that her appearance was the primary factor in her promotion rather than her experience and professional abilities.
A Strong Defense from Alyssa Farah Griffin
Karoline Leavitt outside White House, Photo Credit: karolineleavitt/Instagram
Former Trump administration official Alyssa Farah Griffin quickly came to Leavitt’s defense, dismissing Behar’s comment as sexist and dismissive. Griffin pointed out that this was not Leavitt’s first role in politics, but her first press briefing as White House Press Secretary. She emphasized that Leavitt’s hard work and credentials were the true reasons behind her appointment.
“This isn’t just about how she looks,” Griffin argued, slamming Behar’s comment as an unfair reduction of Leavitt’s capabilities.
Joy Behar during an episode on ‘The View’, Photo Credit: Sky News Australia/Youtube
Whoopi Goldberg’s Critique on Leavitt’s Press Conference
Alongside Behar’s comment, Whoopi Goldberg also expressed concerns over Leavitt’s first press briefing, particularly her views on transgender issues and “wokeness” in federal agencies. Goldberg argued that without the advocacy and struggles of women in the past, Leavitt wouldn’t have had the same opportunities today.
“Women weren’t invited to that table,” Goldberg said, noting that historical struggles for equality paved the way for women like Leavitt to rise to prominent positions.
Goldberg’s comments sparked further debates about the importance of “wokeness” in breaking down societal barriers, and her critique of Leavitt’s stance underscored the ongoing cultural divide over what constitutes progress and inclusion in today’s society.
US President Donald Trump and Karoline Leavitt in a photo posted on Instagram, Photo Credit: karolineleavitt/Instagram
Leavitt’s Changes in the Press Pool
Despite the backlash from The View hosts, Karoline Leavitt’s approach to media transparency has earned praise from certain circles.
Leavitt made headlines by introducing a “new media” section within the White House press pool.
She announced that 440 press credentials, revoked by the Biden administration, would be reinstated under the Trump 2.0 administration, aiming to foster accountability and transparency in media coverage.
Many see these changes as a sign of a new era in White House media relations, with Leavitt advocating for greater media access and questioning traditional outlets. Some supporters applauded her for holding media outlets accountable for misinformation.
