Meghan McCain blames ‘toxic’ hostility for ‘The View’ exit

Meghan McCain in a new audiobook is blaming a “toxic” work environment and overwhelming hostility from co-hosts for her exit from ABC’s “The View.”

McCain, the lone conservative voice during her stint on the show, said she grew increasingly unhappy with the “toxic, direct and purposeful hostility” on the show, calling out co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar by name in a new audiobook titled “Bad Republican.”  

Portions of McCain’s forthcoming audio memoir were first obtained by Fox News media correspondent Howard Kurtz. 

Behar and Goldberg “grew meaner and less forgiving” as former President Trump’s time in the White House went on, McCain reportedly writes, saying she felt her colleagues on the show began to see her “as if I had become an avatar for everything they hated about the president.”

Goldberg specifically, McCain said, displayed “open disdain” for her.

“Once she turns on you, it can create unfathomable tension at the table,” McCain writes. 

McCain, the daughter of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) also references a January argument between she and Behar over which political party is in a stronger position heading into the year. 

“You missed my so much, Joy. You missed me so much when I was on maternity leave,” McCain, who had just returned from maternity leave, said during the spat. “You missed me so much — you missed fighting with me.” 

“I did not,” Behar replied. “I did not miss you. Zero.” 

McCain, in her book, says she “felt like” she’d “been slapped” following the segment and broke out into “uncontrollable sobbing” during a commercial break over Behar’s remark, which she called “nasty.” 

When contacted by The Hill on Tuesday about McCain’s complaints, ABC responded, saying The View, “has been a platform on air and behind the scenes for strong women,” for 25 years.

“Live television and different perspectives can often lead to surprising moments, but the team is collaborative and supportive – focused on delivering an informative daily talk show to our loyal viewers,” a spokesperson for the network said.

McCain announced in July she would leave the show after four seasons, saying she wanted to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with her newborn child and family. 

She has since been given a column on DailyMail.com and ripped President Biden in her first dispatch for the website. 

Updated 5:43 p.m.