Host Joy Behar faced social media backlash after her emotional response to President Joe Biden’s farewell speech on the January 16 episode of The View. The panel watched Biden’s 17-minute Oval Office address before diving into a heated discussion, during which Behar became visibly moved, according to the Daily Mail.
In his farewell remarks, Biden reflected on his decades of public service and warned of the dangers posed by domestic oligarchs, stating, “A dangerous concentration of power [is currently] in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people.”
He added, “It’s been the privilege of my life to serve our nation for over 50 years. I’ve given my heart and soul to you, and I’ve been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people.” Behar, clearly affected, lamented Biden’s departure and expressed concerns about the incoming administration.
“I feel like we were safe like I didn’t have to worry—was anything going to blow up? I could live my life while he was there,” Behar said of Biden’s presidency. “(Now), every day I wake up, and I worry—what is this guy [Trump] going to do next?”
Behar went on to echo Biden’s warning about oligarchs, singling out billionaires Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, whom she accused of aligning with Trump both before and after the 2024 election.
Advising the ultra-wealthy to reconsider their priorities, Behar remarked, “Do they think they’re going to live forever? These people. Everybody dies, I hate to break it to them.”
Her remarks quickly drew attention online, with critics mocking her for what they viewed as melodrama. Detractors accused Behar of exaggerating the sense of security under Biden’s administration and sensationalizing the challenges of the upcoming Trump presidency.
While Behar’s comments struck a chord with some viewers who share her concerns, others used social media to ridicule her reaction, turning her emotional plea into a viral moment.
As The View continues to navigate political debates in the wake of Biden’s farewell, Behar’s heartfelt remarks reflect the polarized responses to the political transition and the uncertain road ahead.