Sunny Hostin referred to “The View” guest host Lindsey Granger — a black Republican — as “an oxymoron” during Friday’s broadcast of the ABC midday talk show.
Hostin made the comment to Granger’s face, adding that she didn’t “understand” black Republicans and then turning on regular co-host Ana Navarro to say that she didn’t understand Latino Republicans either.
The conversation began with the news that Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was going to replace departing White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki — making her the first black and openly gay woman to serve in that role — and the concerns some had raised about a possible conflict of interest, as her partner is CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux.
Granger said that while she did not expect either of the women to do anything unethical, she could understand why people might be concerned about the optics of the situation — at which point Navarro pushed back.
“Ben Rhodes was in the White House while his brother was head of CBS News. That does not mean there’s conflict of interest. There’s actually people – okay. I know this may be a novel point, a novel idea for a person who is a supporter of Trump, but there are people being capable of being related –” Navarro said, prompting a quick objection from Granger.
“Wait, have I ever said that I was a supporter of Trump?” Granger asked. “There are many things I don’t stand by that Trump did. Trump has done things that are racist, I’m a black woman first, so always understand that. But I do say that I have many conservative values that I will talk to you about, so when you look at your network —”
Sunny Hostin: "Are you a Republican?"
Lindsey Granger: "Yes"
Sunny: "I feel like that’s an oxymoron, a black Republican."
Granger: "Why? You’re catholic, but aren't pro-life." pic.twitter.com/aQsbP2M1hk
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) May 6, 2022
“Are you a Republican?” Hostin asked.
“Yes, and when you look at your network that you’re standing behind,” Granger continued, mentioning former anchor Chris Cuomo before Hostin interrupted again.
“I feel like that’s an oxymoron, a black Republican,” she said.
“You feel like it’s an oxymoron?” Granger repeated.
“I do,” Hostin confirmed.
“Why? Your friend right here is a Republican,” Granger pointed to Navarro.
“We have had this conversation many times,” Navarro said.
“You say it’s an oxymoron that you’re Catholic but you also are pro-life,” Granger added.
“I don’t understand either of you,” Hostin said, shaking her head and adjusting her earpiece.
“You don’t understand yourself then,” Granger pushed back.
“I understand myself. I don’t understand either of you,” Hostin said again, adding with a shrug, “I don’t understand black Republicans, and I don’t understand Latino Republicans.”
“Today this is not about me and it’s not about you,” Navarro interrupted, apparently attempting to right the ship. “It’s about celebrating Karine Jean-Pierre.”