“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin appeared downcast Tuesday as she was forced to read a legal disclaimer on air after blasting Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz over accusations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl and was engaged in illegal sex trafficking.
Hostin had ranted minutes earlier about the allegations against Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the Justice Department.
“How could you nominate someone with allegations of child trafficking or trafficking across state lines and having sex with a 17-year-old?” Hostin asked viewers, according to a clip of the Tuesday show that was shared on X.
“My understanding, further on in the interview, they discuss the fact that once he finds out that she’s 17, he stops having sex with her,” added Hostin, a former federal prosecutor.
Just three minutes later, co-host Whoopi Goldberg brought the discussion to a halt by saying, “Sunny, you have a legal note.”
“I do, Whoopi, thank you,” Hostin replied before reading off the memo.
“Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations,” she intoned, “calling the claims ‘invented’ and saying in a statement to ABC News that, ‘This false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism.’
“That DOJ investigation was closed with no charges being brought,” Hostin concluded.
Immediately after, Goldberg threw to a commercial break.
Gaetz, 42, has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and the Justice Department ended its sex trafficking investigation in early 2023 without any criminal charges filed against him.
The Florida congressman resigned his seat Nov. 13, days before the House Committee on Ethics was set to vote on whether it would release a report on its own investigation into claims Gaetz had engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other transgressions.
The clip of Hostin choking out the legal disclaimer went viral after it was shared on X by conservative internet personality Collin Rugg, who wrote, “Sunny Hostin fumes as she is forced to read a legal note just minutes after presenting the Matt Gaetz allegations as a ‘fact.’”
X users were quick to make fun of Hostin for her misstep, with one person writing, “You just know ABC told her she had to do it or they would fire her to prevent the network from getting sued.”
Another commentator chirped: “You know Hostin is a serial liar when The View is forcing her to read legal notices after her comments.”