“The View‘s” Meghan McCain has made peace with co-host Joy Behar after the women’s explosive on-air spat earlier this month, but the conservative co-host revealed the backlash after their fight left her feeling personally attacked.
McCain made the comments during Thursday’s show as the ladies discussed comedian Pete Davidson’s Instagram post about feeling bullied by critics after his split from singer Ariana Grande. The Fox News alum said the pain was definitely something she could relate to.
Meghan McCain (right) joked about her on-air spat with co-host Joy Behar, saying the two would “fight again” in 2019. (Image courtesy of Instagram)
“I know what it feels like to be hated in the same way Pete Davidson does,” McCain said. “I’m not asking for sympathy, but I felt extreme compassion for his post.”
She added, “I do think it’s different when you’re someone like Pete Davidson or someone like us, it’s not just social media. Google me right now, there are articles written about me the past few days, what a huge bitch I am, how awful I am, the negativity and nastiness I’ve brought to the show. It’s real, it’s not just social media, it’s the media, as well.”
On Instagram, McCain joked about her recent war of words with Behar, who’s graced the show for more more than 20 seasons. The 34-year-old shared a photo of her and her co-host cheesing side-by-side, posing happily in their festive Christmas sweaters.
“We’ll fight again in 2019!” she captioned the post. “Merry Christmas ya filthy animal! @joyvbehar 🎄🎅🏻❄️🎄🎅🏻❄️”
The amiable post comes nearly a week after the pair locked horns during a tribute to late President George H.W. Bush, who died Dec. 1. He was 94 years old. Things quickly went left, however, when Behar switched gears to criticize President Donald Trump over his blatant denial of climate change, arguing that if she were to become a one-issue voter, it would be about environmental issues.
McCain didn’t take too kindly to the change of topic and demanded the discussion be redirected at honoring President Bush.
“Can we focus on the president, please,” she said, interrupting Behar. “I don’t want to talk about Trump, we’re honoring a great president.”
“Excuse me a second, please. I want to talk about – ” the veteran co-host began before being cut off by McCain yet again.
“We’re honoring a great president who passed and I’m not interested in your one-issue voting,” McCain rambled.
“I don’t care what you’re interested in. I’m talking!” Behar shouted, growing frustrated and slamming her cue cards on the table.
McCain’s “entitled” antics reportedly had Behar ready to quit “The View,” but a source close to the show told PEOPLE the two were just fine in the wake of their squabble. In a recent interview with Good Housekeeping, Behar, 76, said dealing with drama is just another day on the show.
“We kind of know that, sometimes one of us goes over the line,” she said. “I won’t say what specifically but sometimes things go over the line that then have to be pulled back. Any conversation that talks about politics or religion is going to go off the rails. It would be very unrealistic to think that there would be no acrimony, disagreements, and maybe even hurt feelings sometimes. That’s the way it is.”
To cool down, Behar said she and her co-hosts will sometimes go out for drinks after the show.
McCain remarked on Thursday’s show that she and Behar are often relaxed behind the scenes because we “leave it all out on the table.”
“I enjoy coming into work and being able to have healthy debates,” she said.
Watch more in the clip below.
Could there be an upside to being angry? 🤔 https://t.co/f8u2wc159S pic.twitter.com/BqK3HhzzQR
— The View (@TheView) December 13, 2018
