The View host Sunny Hostin has come to the defense of Savannah Chrisley after viewers expressed anger over the pro-MAGA influencer’s invitation as a guest host.

The 57-year-old addressed the controversy after 28-year-old Savannah received significant criticism from audiences for her support of Donald Trump on the program. During Monday’s Behind the Table podcast, Sunny joined The View producer Brian Teta in responding to the negative reaction.

Savannah filled in for Alyssa Farah Griffin for a week while the 36-year-old is on maternity leave. Brian revealed that some viewers alleged the other hosts were “forced” to accept Savannah across multiple episodes, whilst noting that “more ardent” fans had a “loud” response to the influencer’s appointment as a guest host, accusing him of requiring a conservative perspective on The View – a claim he rejected.

Brian, 49, stated, “They were outraged at the idea that we would – they did not like the idea that there was anybody here that would be a supporter of Trump or MAGA at the table.”

Sunny responded, “Well, that’s what The View is. You have to be able to sit with people that, you know, voted for him three times and support him and continue to support him.”

Both acknowledged their familiarity with handling pro-Trump perspectives, citing family members who back the Trump administration. Dismissing suggestions that the show is “forced” to feature MAGA voices, Sunny declared, “No, this is what we do.”

She also commended Savannah, stating, “And I think what was good about Savannah is, I think she understood that. If you go low, I go low. But if you go high, I go high. We can meet energy. And I thought her energy was pretty earnest and pretty harmless.”

Whilst recognizing her vastly different perspective from the guest co-host, Sunny acknowledged that she demonstrated “a lot of courage and bravery and confidence” in sitting alongside the panel despite the multitude of dissenting voices. “I don’t know that many 28-year-old young women would be able to sit at the table,” Sunny mused.

This comes as fans of The View expressed their joy following the conclusion of Savannah’s tenure on the show. As Savannah exited after her run on the ABC program, conservative commentator Amanda Carpenter, a writer and editor at Protect Democracy, joined the panel this week.

Fans have been rejoicing over the news, with many expressing relief that Savannah is no longer part of the panel. One individual posted on X, “As long as she is conservative and not MAGA. Two totally different political view points.”

A fan exclaimed, “Big, big, BIG improvement, thank you! ! Can’t wait to hear Amanda’s take on everything! Even when I disagree, her opinions are always intelligent and well-informed.

“Thank goodness that Savannah’s time is up as a guest co-host on the show. She was so unbearable to watch and listen to. I hope they never bring her back. #TheView,” another viewer expressed. Another comment about Amanda read, “She is a big improvement over last week. Don’t go back there ever again.”