The co-hosts of “The View” completely lost their composure this month, following remarks made by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a Fox News interview.
In an eye-opening turn of events, “The Rock” withdrew his previous support for President Joe Biden early this April. He confessed to Fox, “Am I happy about the state of America right now? Well, that answer is no. The endorsement that I made years ago with Biden was one I thought was the best decision for me at that time. I’m in this position where I have some influence and it’s my job then… to exercise my influence to share with who this is who I’m going to endorse.”
His candidness triggered a flood of disapproval from the audience and provoked the ire of Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and other members of the ABC talk show, who claimed he was shirking his “obligation” to counteract former President Donald Trump.
“Why should I care what anyone says on Fox News where they lie every day?” Behar challenged her peers. “Number two, should celebrities endorse public figures?”
Ana Navarro responded, “If they want to. Celebrities are American citizens. You don’t lose your right as a citizen because you are a celebrity.” She reminisced about spotting The Rock at the 2000 Republican and Democratic National Conventions, where he was promoting voting rather than endorsing a specific candidate.
Yet, Sunny Hostin wasn’t pacified by this rationale.
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“We are living in a time where we have someone running for president that is an existential threat to democracy,” Hostin declared, met by applause from the crowd. “Now is a time if you have a platform, you must be active. You must speak out. You have a platform, you have an obligation.”
In contrast, Sara Haines defended Johnson, arguing that the idea that “sheep will fall in line” because of a celebrity’s endorsement “minimizes” the independence of voters. Behar then circled back to ridicule online critics who have targeted Robert De Niro for his outspoken opposition to Trump this year.
“The Rock endorsed Biden last time and now he says he’s not endorsing anybody. But Trump has gotten worse since then,” she stated.
The comparison was then drawn to Taylor Swift, who shared a tepid voter advocacy message on Super Tuesday and remains vague on whether she will renew her 2020 endorsement of Biden.
The influence of Hollywood bigwigs on American voters is still up for debate. Meanwhile, Trump supporters have been touting a myriad of endorsements from less prominent actors, hip-hop artists, and athletes as proof of his continued sway in pop culture and his appeal among the younger electorate.
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