Vice President JD Vance made his first visit to The View on Tuesday, and the conversation turned tense when the subject shifted to the Trump administration’s record on race.
Moderator Whoopi Goldberg started the conversation by saying the daytime talk show welcomes people from the left, right, and center.
“For 29 seasons, this show has invited thousands of guests, with all kinds of diverse points of view,” Goldberg said. “And we have been asking our next guest to join us for a while now. So we’re glad that he’s taken us up on the offer today.”
Vance was there to promote his new book “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.”
He walked on set, waved to the audience, and shook hands with Goldberg and the other five co-hosts — Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro.
The vice president started with a joke, in an apparent attempt to break the ice with the hosts who frequently criticize the Trump administration.
“So this is a show of MAGA Republicans, right? That’s what my media team told me,” he said.
His comment drew muted applause from the audience.
The hosts immediately began to grill Vance about ICE raids, the Epstein files, inflation, and rising gas prices.
He admitted the administration has “a lot more work to do,” but said gas prices have started to fall, since they shot up when the Trump administration and Israel greenlit an attack on Iran.
The VP reminded the hosts that he was there to “sell books.” Goldberg said they’d get to the book “eventually,” but told Vance she wanted to “get some clarity” on a few things.
Tensions began to escalate when the EGOT winner asked the Republican how he justifies the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants and Black people, when he is a devout Christian.
“What did Black people do to this administration that has allowed it to really, stigmatize folks of color?” said Goldberg.
She continued by mentioning the removal of monuments celebrating African American history and achievements.
“In a lot of the museums—there’s so many—they are taking down the actual history that happened in this country. Slavery happened. All kinds of stuff happened,” Goldberg told Vance. “It seems that it has been very easy for this administration to remove that and also to denigrate Black folks who have worked their behinds off to get this American dream.”
He seemed confused and asked, “What exactly are you talking about?” At that point Hostin jumped in.
“I’m talking about Black history getting erased from public spaces. Black voter districts are being dismantled. Black leaders are being sidelined from our ranks,” said Hostin. “Where do Americans of color fit in this vision, because it doesn’t seem like we fit.”
Vance responded to Goldberg first and said, “You say we are anti-minority.” Goldberg was not having it and shot back, “Don’t start anything with me.”
The actress and comedian smiled, but it was obvious she wasn’t joking.
“I misinterpreted your question,” Vance replied. “But let me answer your question. What I’m saying, look at Washington, D.C., one of the most democratic and one of the Blackest, by share of population, Blackest cities, has seen a radical decrease in violent crime, sexual assault, and murders. We have tried to take the crime issue seriously in part because we believe everybody, whether you are Black or white or rich or poor, deserves to live in a safe neighborhood.”
“This is not about crime,” said Goldberg.
A determined Hostin added, “Black history has been erased from public spaces.”
“That is not right,” Vance countered. “We celebrate Black history. We celebrate all American history in this administration.”
Navarro jumped in with questions about white immigrants being prioritized by the administration.
At that point Goldberg was growing impatient and said they needed to get in a commercial break.
“We have to go to break. Ana, God. please!” Goldberg snapped. “Don’t do that.”
The episode ended when they returned from the break. You can watch the full exchange from The View here.
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