The hosts of The View ripped into past guest New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) after the Republican threw his support behind Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election despite his past criticism of the man.
Sununu told George Stephanopoulos on Sunday that he was supporting the former president. Things quickly got tense as Stephanopoulos noted Sununu’s past criticism of Trump, including saying he “contributed” to an insurrection, referring to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and pushing back on the former president’s claims of fraud in the 2020 election.
“Why is he suddenly falling in line with MAGA?” a groaning Whoopi Goldberg asked.
She then turned to Alyssa Farah Griffin for an explanation. The former White House communications official has described the governor as a “friend.”
“Gov. Sununu is a friend. He’s entitled to his take,” she said, adding she’s “disappointed.”
Griffin argued the non-endorsement of Mike Pence and others closest to Trump will have a bigger effect on the election.
Sara Haines expressed surprise over Sununu, noting she met him and liked him. Sununu was a guest on The View in May 2023. He predicted then that Trump would not be the nominee when asked about a potential endorsement.
“I don’t know why he did it because I actually met him here and I really have liked him,” Haines said, also calling herself “disappointed.”
Ana Navarro blasted Sununu for saying at one point during the Sunday interview that “51% of the country” also backs Trump.
“First of all, it’s not 51% of the country,” she said. “People who support Trump like to talk about half the country. No. 30% of people identify of Americans identify as Republicans, 28% identify as Democrats. The largest party out there is independent and unaffiliated, and Trump did not win 51% in the last election. That’s why he’s not president.”
Navarro called herself “disappointed and sad” by Sununu’s turn, arguing he did it to “preserve” a political future with Republicans.
Sunny Hostin was the sole host not surprised by Sununu’s decision, noting his past prediction on the show that Trump would not be the GOP nominee.
“I think people gave Sununu too much credit. If you remember, when he came on this show, I asked to him, you voted for Trump in 2016 and you even voted for him in 2020, someone as principled as you are, why would you vote for the antithesis, the very antithesis of what you believe in?” she said. “And you know what he said? ‘Well, he’s not going to be the nominee.’ I’m not surprised he did this. He is every bit of a politician and he should be ashamed of himself!”
Watch above via ABC.