The View’s episode today focused on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the prominent conservative commentator, marking a significant moment of political violence in the U.S.
Alyssa Farah Griffin expressed hope that the murder would not chill free speech, stating, “I hope it doesn’t have a chilling effect whether you’re left or right on your ability to speak your mind.”
Joy Behar emphasized the importance of open dialogue, agreeing with Griffin and saying, “Well, that’s our bread and butter here. So, of course, it’s very important. I agree with everything you say.”
Sara Haines highlighted the irony of Kirk’s death, noting his series “Prove me wrong” and his efforts to engage with differing viewpoints, “The irony of a man who would go across the country to college campuses is where you’re supposed to have conversations would go and his series was called ‘Prove me wrong.'”
Sunny Hostin condemned the violence, expressing heartbreak over the loss and the impact on Kirk’s family, “This man was 31 years old with two children, I think ages 1 and 3, a family man, a wife. Now these children will grow up without their father.” Hostin also criticized the act as un-American, stating, “I cannot believe that someone would kill another person because they were speaking their beliefs. This is antithetical to who we are as Americans.”
Behar reflected on historical political violence, mentioning assassinations like those of Medgar Evers, JFK, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and Robert Kennedy, “In 1963 Medgar Evers was assassinated. In 1963 JFK was assassinated. In 1965 Malcolm X was assassinated. In 1968 Martin Luther King was assassinated. And in 1968 Robert Kennedy was assassinated.”
Whoopi Goldberg, usually reluctant to say President Trump’s name, addressed the broader issue of political violence, including the attempted assassination of Trump and the attack on Paul Pelosi. Goldberg called the murder “a horror” and stressed the importance of remembering that all voices matter, “I hope that young Republicans never forget that they have a voice. They have a voice. We all have voices. We should never, ever be afraid.”
Their discussion comes in the context of recent political violence, including the shooting of two Democratic state legislators in Minnesota and multiple attempts on Trump’s life. Goldberg also drew parallels to the unity seen after 9/11, suggesting a similar response is needed now, “It goes to show that when we put our minds to it, we did figure out what to do.”
Whoopi Goldberg, who usually refuses to say Trump name, actually does. pic.twitter.com/rpsBtvwoSn
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) September 11, 2025
“I’m betting on human beings.”
Whoopi points to how we all came together after 9/11 for how we should come together after Charlie Kirk’s assassination:
“It goes to show that when we put our minds to it, we did figure out what to do. We can figure out what to do. And, you know, it… pic.twitter.com/zQGxeLEokT— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) September 11, 2025
The episode’s tone was notably somber, reflecting the gravity of the event and the broader implications for political discourse in America. The hosts’ statements were part of a broader call for reducing political violence and fostering dialogue, despite their usual disagreements with Kirk’s views. The View’s response contrasts with past criticisms of Kirk, as noted by some observers, showing a shift in tone given the tragic circumstances.
