It was a moment that stopped daytime television in its tracks. On Wednesday’s episode of The View, co-host Joy Behar delivered a pointed, deeply personal jab at newly appointed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt—a remark that left the studio in stunned silence and sent shockwaves across social media.

Leavitt, just 27 years old and the youngest person ever to hold the position, was the subject of a heated discussion among the panelists. But when Behar suggested that Leavitt was chosen for her looks rather than her qualifications, the conversation quickly escalated from political analysis to personal controversy.

“She’s probably been put in there because, according to Donald Trump, she’s a 10,” Behar said, referencing the former president’s well-known penchant for blunt commentary. “You know that’s what it is.”

The comment sparked immediate outrage, both on and off the set. Fellow panelist Alyssa Farah Griffin, herself a former Trump administration staffer, quickly countered: “It wasn’t her first job, it was just her first press briefing.”

A Panel Divided

The exchange didn’t end there. Whoopi Goldberg, another co-host, took issue with Leavitt’s first press conference, particularly her remarks about “no more funding for transgenderism and wokeness across our federal bureaucracy and agencies.” Goldberg argued that Leavitt only had her role because of the very “wokeness” she criticized.

“Let me explain, without that wokeness, you might not have that job,” Goldberg said, her tone equal parts frustrated and reflective. “Because women were not invited to that table. Women were not invited to many tables in this nation.”

Goldberg continued, explaining that the struggle for inclusion—what some now call “wokeness”—wasn’t just about race, but about opening doors for all women. “This is all women. See, this is not Black, Asian women. This is all women. Women were not invited to this party. It was a man’s world, and we busted our a**es to make sure that this was a person’s world.”

She concluded, “That’s why we fought, that’s what we were fighting for so that you could stand at that podium, so that Karine Jean-Pierre could stand at that podium, so women of all colors and backgrounds… had the opportunity to bust down that door.”

Social Media Reacts

It didn’t take long for the conversation to spill onto social media, where viewers from across the political spectrum weighed in. Some defended Leavitt’s qualifications, calling out what they saw as a double standard.

“If I could get hired to that high of a position for being smart AND beautiful I would take it!” one user wrote. “They are just jealous.”

Another added, “If a Republican said anything remotely like that they would be pilloried.”

Others, however, agreed with the critique, arguing that the Trump administration’s appointments often prioritized loyalty and optics over experience.

Leavitt’s First Briefing: A New Era in the Press Room

Amid the controversy, it’s easy to lose sight of the historic nature of Leavitt’s appointment—and the dramatic changes she announced in her first White House press briefing.

Leavitt opened her tenure by calling out what she described as the “legacy media’s loss of trust” among everyday Americans. “We will call you out when we feel your reporting is wrong or there is misinformation about this White House,” she declared, setting a confrontational tone.

In a move that surprised many, Leavitt announced the creation of a “new media” section in the press pool. Two seats, traditionally reserved for White House staff, would now be occupied by “new media” reporters—bloggers, independent journalists, and digital-first outlets. These reporters would be given the opportunity to ask the first questions at each briefing, breaking with decades of tradition that prioritized the Associated Press and the White House Correspondents’ Association.

“Starting today, this seat in the front of the room, which is usually occupied by the press secretary’s staff, will be called the ‘new media’ seat,” Leavitt said. “My team will review the applications and give credentials to new media applicants who meet our criteria and pass United States Secret Service requirements to enter the White House complex.”

She also announced the restoration of press passes for 440 journalists whose credentials were “wrongly revoked” by the previous administration.

The View Responds

The panelists on The View were divided over these changes. Sunny Hostin expressed skepticism about the qualifications of “new media” reporters, while Goldberg cautioned that loosening standards could lead to more misinformation.

“Quite honestly, I like when we’re held to standards,” Goldberg said. “I don’t always like the way they do it but we have to have ourselves together. We can’t just say stuff in spite of what they tell you. We can’t just spout stuff. So I want that for everybody.”

Beyond the Headlines: What’s Next for Leavitt?

Despite the uproar, supporters say Leavitt’s rapid ascent is a testament to her drive and intelligence. Her defenders point to her experience as a communications director, her work on Capitol Hill, and her ability to handle tough questions under pressure.

Critics, meanwhile, argue that her combative approach and willingness to challenge the press may further polarize an already divided media landscape.

But one thing is clear: Karoline Leavitt has arrived on the national stage, and she’s not backing down. Whether you see her as a trailblazer or a lightning rod, her tenure as White House Press Secretary is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched—and hotly debated—in recent history.

The Bottom Line

The fiery exchange on The View has reignited longstanding debates about gender, qualifications, and the role of the media in American politics. As Leavitt settles into her new role, all eyes will be on her—and on the nation’s press corps—to see how both rise to the challenge.

In a political era defined by sharp divides and shifting norms, one thing remains certain: the conversation is far from over.