LOS ANGELES (OC).–Sen. John Fetterman paid a friendly visit to ABC’s “The View” today and was promptly ambushed over his vote to join Republicans to reopen the government. View host Sunny Hostins called Fetterman out for caving in to Republican demands when Democrats had the clout to continue advancing its political narrative heading into the 2026 Midterm election. Fresh off victories in the Nov. 4 off-year election, Hostin lambasted Fetterman for giving into Republicans at a time when Democrats clearly had the momentum. Now everyone sees their role as a zero sum game of politics, where everything is a political calculation. Hostin told Fetterman that his colleague Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called Democrat defections a “horrible mistake,’ while Califormia Gov. Gavin Newsom called it “pathetic” and “surrender.” Hostin said Fetterman took a butter knife to gunfight.”
Hostin, of course, is an entertainer, not accountable to voters or anyone else, other than stirring up controversy to enhance TV ratings. Hostin has no responsibility to the U.S. economy or, more specifically, the air traffic control system, wholly dependent on government workers no longer getting paid under the government shutdown. Fetterman has those considerations, more than just who has the political advantage in any situation. “Poll after poll found more American on both sides of the aisle blaming Republicans. Even Marjorie Taylor Greene blames the GOP,” Hostin said. “As you mentioned Democrats had big wins last week. So you had momentum. Why give in now? Why bring a butter knife to a gunfight,” Hostins said. Fetterman took Hostin’s attacks lightly, not taking them too seriously other than their attempt to get him rattled on national TV.
When it comes to running the government, Hostin has zero responsibility, unlike Fetterman that has constituents out of work, not collecting a paycheck because of the government shutdown. It’s easy for celebrity hosts trying to boost ratings at the expense of ordinary Americans, suffering at the hands of government gridlock. Hostins sounds like it’s all about scoring political points when it comes to the Disney Corp, parent company of ABC News and ABC Entertainment that gives late night host Jimmy Kimmel to attack Trump nightly as his regular monologue. Hostins would be welcomed with open arms on the Jimmy Kimmel show, where both hosts could engage in a mutual anti-Trump tirade. Fetterman has responsibility to real people impacted by the government shutdown. Fetterman looks at Hostins or other liberal TV hosts for their entertainment value only.
When it comes to the government shutdown, how ironic that the fake news aid-and-abets shows like “The View” that push a pro-civil rights, pro-women’s right and pro-gender rights agenda on the airwaves. Whatever Disney or ABC’s liberal agenda, Hostin’s has no ax to grind other than getting ratings. Keeping the government shut down for the purpose of blackmailing the GOP into changing the budget and restoring $1.5 trillion in Medicaid and Obamacare funding is no way to negotiate. Hostins thinks that Fetterman should only think of power over the GOP. Hostins told Fetterman that the GOP will not negotiate on health care in good faith, needing the coercion of a government shut down. “Are you willing to gamble that th GOP will negotiate on health care in good faith once the government reopens?” Hostins asked..
Hostins doesn’t belive the GOP will negotiate with Democrats to restore lost Medicaid and Obamacare funding. “Because if that gamble is wrong, half a million Pennsylvanians that you represent, thee health care costs will skyrocket if you are wrong! And I believe yo are wrong,” Hostins told Fetterman. Fetterman can only do what he thinks is right for essential government workers no longer collecting a paycheck in the government shutdown. Hostin doesn’t worry about government employees collecting a paycheck because she gets $2 million a year from ABC News. Fetterman dismissed what Bernie or Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom thinks about continuing to fight with the GOP. Fetterman sees them as representing the left coast and Bernie’s socialist following. Fetterman has a calm way of responding to Hostin’s openly hostile attacks on “The View.” Fetterman’s nonchalant response got under Hostin’s skin, unable to get a rise out of the Pennsylvania senator.
Fetterman’s interview on “The View” was a perfect example of how Disney/ABC News has a progressive Democrat agenda. Fetterman, while a Democrat, represents a purple state with voters that could go any way in a national election. When it comes to what happens to the lost $1.5 trillion in Medicaid and Obamacare funding, Fetterman has no control over that, other than advocating in the U.S. Senate to restore the funding. When it comes to potential price increases to Obamacare premiums, Congress should work on legislation to restrain the insurance industry from price gouging. Insurance companies that sell Obamacare policies count on government funding to support the system. Obamacare was always a government subsidized program with a key provision that prevented the insurance industry from red-lining subscribers with pre-existing conditions.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
