What began as a discussion about President Donald Trump’s Black History Month celebration at the White House quickly turned into a heated on-air clash between conservative guest co-host Savannah Chrisley and longtime panelist Sunny Hostin.
Chrisley attempted to push back on critics who label Trump a racist, arguing that her personal experience tells a different story.
“I think, you know, when it comes to the event that happened yesterday, what’s so hard for me to witness is people stating that the president is a racist, because I’ve seen him firsthand. He saved one of my best friends’ lives, a Black woman who has been with him for —,” Chrisley began before being cut off.
“He is a racist,” Hostin interjected flatly, as Chrisley continued trying to finish her point.
Chrisley repeated that Trump had saved her Black friend’s life, but Hostin dismissed the defense.
“So, he has a Black friend. He’s a racist,” Hostin shot back.
Co-host Whoopi Goldberg soon joined the exchange, explaining why she and others on the panel see Trump differently.
“Here’s the problem, Savannah, and why we have a different take on it,” Goldberg said. “Many of us have a different take on it, because when you target DEI programs with executive orders your first week in office, arguing that the policies undermine national unity.”
Goldberg went on to reference what she described as “racist posts about the Obamas” and Trump’s past calls for the death penalty in the case of the exonerated Central Park Five, arguing those actions made his behavior difficult to ignore.
Hostin doubled down.
“Let’s call a thing, a thing. Donald Trump is a racist. There is no question in my mind. It’s time to say the truth and tell it like it is,” she said, citing a recent Truth Social post depicting the Obamas as apes in a Lion King-themed image. Hostin rejected claims that a staffer was responsible for the post.
“A staffer did not do it,” she insisted.
Chrisley maintained that a staffer was behind the post, as the show aired a clip of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “When you see it on Truth Social you know it’s directly from President Trump.”
The back-and-forth continued, with Hostin repeating, “President Trump is a racist,” and Chrisley countering, “He’s not.”
‘The View’ panel erupts as guest defends Trump against racism claims | Dylan Howard, Fox News
The co-hosts of “The View” erupted on Thursday after conservative guest host Savannah Chrisley defended President Donald Trump against those who call him a racist, including co-host… pic.twitter.com/5bA1HnYjUm
— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) February 20, 2026
At one point, Chrisley acknowledged that the White House mishandled the situation surrounding the controversial post.
“I agree wholeheartedly that the White House failed when it came to the posting of that video, because it is the White House’s responsibility to protect the minority groups that lost friendships and relationships over just standing for President Trump,” she said.
Goldberg ultimately attempted to cool tensions, noting that disagreement is part of what defines the show’s format.
Chrisley has been filling in this week for Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is on maternity leave.
The fallout extended beyond the studio. White House spokesman Davis Ingle issued a blistering statement to Fox News Digital defending the president and attacking Hostin directly.
“Sunny Hostin is an extremely unlikeable, talentless hack with a poorly rated TV show who clearly suffers from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome,” Ingle said.
He also outlined what the administration views as Trump’s record on issues affecting Black Americans, citing criminal justice reform, prison reform, opportunity zones, long-term funding for historically Black colleges, school choice funding, Trump Accounts, and what he described as the largest middle-class tax cuts in history.
“President Trump was proud to receive historic support from the Black community in 2024, and he is working around the clock to deliver for them and make our country greater than ever before,” the statement concluded.
The clash underscores how discussions about Trump’s record and rhetoric continue to ignite fierce debate — especially when they unfold live on national television.
