ABC’s ‘The View’ faces growing criticism as a partisan echo chamber, following a recent study that found the show featured 102 left-leaning guests and zero conservative guests from January to July 2025. The controversy has sparked a wave of online commentary, with Fox News contributor Guy Benson calling the program an ‘insane asylum.’ The analysis, conducted by the Media Research Center’s NewsBusters, scrutinized episodes from January 6, when the show resumed after its winter break, through July 25, and discovered a complete absence of conservative voices.
The study’s findings have reignited debates over the show’s neutrality and its alleged alignment with liberal interests. Fox News Radio host Guy Benson, known for his sharp critiques of liberal media bias, commented, ‘I am actually surprised by this because 102 seems a little low.’ He also noted that the left’s former obsession with the fairness doctrine could have led to the demise of the show had it succeeded in its goals. This suggests that, in the absence of such regulatory measures, ‘The View’ has become a platform for liberal perspectives, reflecting a broader pattern across late-night talk shows.
The guest list has featured an array of prominent Democrats and liberal Hollywood stars, further amplifying the perception of political bias. While the closest the show has come to inviting a conservative guest is former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who appeared on the show last month, his presence has not altered the overall tone of the show. NewsBusters associate editor Nicholas Fondacaro previously told Fox News Digital that the closest to a conservative guest this year was Schwarzenegger, highlighting the ongoing imbalance of perspectives.
Commentators have also pointed out that the show’s dynamic has shifted over time, with co-hosts such as Lawrence Jones alleging that the show’s panelists often express hostility towards right-leaning guests. This has led to situations where conservative guests or panelists find themselves in a hostile environment. Jones suggested that the show’s co-hosts, while purportedly having a few independent voices, consistently align with liberal perspectives. This has raised questions about the show’s commitment to balanced dialogue, especially as it continues to attract a predominantly liberal audience.
In response to the study, an ABC News insider, who stated that bookers have engaged with Senate press secretaries from both sides of the aisle, pushed back on previous findings. The insider suggested that the initial version of the study, which found 63 liberal guests and zero conservatives, might have misattributed political leanings to guests not necessarily involved in political discussions. The insider emphasized that celebrity guests are invited to promote their projects rather than for their political leanings, indicating that the show’s guest selection may be more influenced by entertainment value rather than political representation.
As the scrutiny continues, the debate around the show’s neutrality and its reflection of broader media trends remains a focal point for media analysts and critics. The implications of these findings may influence the broader landscape of public media and the perception of political bias in entertainment programming.