In a candid moment on ABC's "The View," co-host Sara Haines confessed that the show's panel might be out of touch with mainstream American sentiment, particularly on President Donald Trump's immigration policies. This admission inadvertently shed light on the liberal echo chamber prevalent in much of the mainstream media.
Haines made these remarks following a segment where "The View" aired a clip of Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, discussing the enforcement actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) against illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds. Homan’s stark warning, "If you’re in the country illegally, you’re on the table," was meant to clarify the administration's stance on illegal immigration, especially concerning criminal elements like MS-13 gang members, who, according to Homan, are often recruited at a young age.
Whoopi Goldberg, another co-host, posed a significant question to the panel regarding public perception of these enforcement actions: "Is this the immigration system fix that people had in mind when they voted?" Haines' response was telling: "Well, it’s hard to tell at this table because no one voted for him," highlighting a lack of Trump supporters among the hosts, which she suggested could skew their understanding of public opinion.
Haines then critiqued the media narrative around these deportations, suggesting they were part of a "PR campaign" designed to instill fear rather than a substantive policy overhaul. Yet, she also acknowledged the necessity of deporting criminal migrants, albeit with a call for greater transparency on who exactly is being deported.
Her comments led to a broader discussion on the network about how media outlets, including "The View," often fail to represent or understand the views of Trump's voter base. This was particularly poignant given the recent actions by Trump's administration, which, according to a DHS press release, resulted in the arrest of over 300 criminal illegal migrants on the first day of his second term, including serious offenders like attempted murderers and child molesters (DHS, January 20, 2025).
Moreover, a recent poll by Axios/Ipsos, which found that 66% of Americans support the deportation of illegal immigrants, reinforces the disconnect between "The View" panel's perspective and the national sentiment. This statistic underscores a significant public backing for Trump's immigration policies, contrary to the narrative often pushed by liberal media outlets.
Haines' call for detailed breakdowns of the crimes committed by those deported aligns with conservative critiques of media coverage that often lacks depth or context. The demand for transparency isn't just about understanding the specifics but also about ensuring that the public has a clear view of why these policies are necessary for national security and public safety.
This incident on "The View" serves as a microcosm of the larger issue of media bias, where conservative viewpoints are not just underrepresented but sometimes completely absent, leading to a skewed public discourse on critical issues like immigration.
As the CGN Network, we aim to bridge this gap by providing coverage that reflects the diverse views of all Americans, not just those within one political spectrum. This event should prompt media outlets to consider how they engage with or represent a broad swath of American opinion, especially on issues as divisive and impactful as immigration policy.