‘The View’ Co-Hosts Divided On Janet Jackson’s Race Remark

The co-hosts of “The View” found themselves at odds over Janet Jackson’s controversial comment questioning Kamala Harris’ race, a narrative initially pushed by Donald Trump.

Whoopi Goldberg stepped in with opinions split, urging for “grace” amid the heated debate. Before the panel’s discussion, comedian D.L. Hughley slammed Jackson for seemingly echoing Trump’s confusion, fueling the already blazing controversy. 

The mixed reactions on “The View” reflect the impact of Janet Jackson’s remarks, which were revealed during an interview with the Guardian.

The panel, who usually engage lively on several topics, for once, could not agree on whether the topic deserved attention, let alone how to interpret Jackson’s comments.

Whoopi Goldberg, however, passionately defended Jackson, urging her fellow hosts and viewers to extend “a little grace” to the singer. 

“Anybody who says it doesn’t happen to every one of us, multiracial or not, we all do it. So okay, a little grace for the girl,” Goldberg argued, calling for understanding rather than judgment.

Before the conversation wrapped, Goldberg emphasized that Jackson is not “a political animal” but rather a musician who is currently grieving her brother. 

According to TooFab, the actress also acknowledged her history of missteps on the show and attributed them to the fast-paced nature of live television. She admitted:

“Sometimes people get it wrong and they’re wrong! They made a mistake, they were wrong. It happens.”

On the segment, Ana Navarro did not hold back, criticizing Jackson for spreading what she called “misinformation” by echoing Donald Trump’s unfounded claims that Harris might not be Black. 

“It’s very irresponsible when you have a platform the way Janet Jackson does, to use that platform carelessly,” Navarro stated, emphasizing that the singer’s comments only fueled a narrative rooted in racism.

Sunny Hostin, who shares a similar multiracial background with Harris, expressed her reluctance to give Jackson’s remarks more attention. 

“I don’t know if it comes from misinformation, I don’t know if it comes from a lack of information, but all I know is that I don’t want to give it this much air,” Hostin remarked.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, however, offered a more lenient perspective, suggesting that Jackson might be a victim of the “information silos” created by social media algorithms, which often limit users to a narrow view of the world. 

She pointed out that many people, including Jackson, get their news from these curated platforms, leading to potentially skewed perceptions.

The issue began when the Republican nominee questioned the Vice President’s’ Black identity after she acknowledged her Indian heritage.

In an interview, Jackson addressed the possibility of Harris becoming the first Black female president but quickly sparked controversy by casting doubt on Harris’ racial background. 

“Well, you know what they supposedly said? She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian,” the 58-year-old stated. When corrected that Harris is indeed both Black and Indian, Jackson continued to challenge the facts.

“Her father’s white. That’s what I was told,” Jackson insisted. “I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days,” she added, further fueling the fire. 

As the panel offered different perspectives, with some even calling for understanding, the comedian took a decidedly different approach. Hughley did not mince words in his criticism of Jackson after her comments. 

Known for his candid takes, the 61-year-old took to social media to express his disappointment, stating that Jackson was the last person who should be questioning a Black woman’s identity. 

The Blast noted that Hughley’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) accused Jackson of parroting Trump’s rhetoric, which has cast doubt on Harris’ Black heritage.

In a fiery tweet, the actor wrote, “#JanetJacksons interview sounded like a #Trump rally! FYI!! It’s a little ironic to question whether someone is black while you’re breathing through the nose of a white woman! #TeamDl.”

This remark referred to Jackson’s own controversial history with plastic surgery, which many believe has altered her appearance significantly.

The post on X ignited a flurry of reactions, with some users calling out Hughley for being too harsh. Unfazed by the mixed responses, Hughley doubled down, writing:

“All I know is #Kamala looks like she did when she was in Oakland! But Janet don’t look like she did when she was Penny! What the hell was in that iron??” 

Thiswas a pointed reference to Jackson’s transformation over the years, contrasting it with Harris’ consistency. He did not stop there. Continuing in a third post, Hughley refuted Jackson’s comments about Harris’ father, reminding everyone of Harris’ diverse background. 

He wrote, “#KamalaHarris looks the way she does cuz she has a mom from India and a dad from Jamaica! #JanetJackson looks the way she does cuz she has a plastic surgeon! #TeamDl.”

While the co-hosts of “The View” showcased a range of perspectives, it is clear that the responsibility to communicate accurately becomes even more crucial.