Joy Behar, the longtime co-host of ABC's The View and a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, surprised viewers Tuesday by offering a measured take on Vice President JD Vance. During the show's 'Behind the Table' segment, Behar said she does not view Vance as a 'bad guy' and floated the idea of a Vance versus California Governor Gavin Newsom matchup in 2028 as 'interesting.'
'Truthfully, as I said to you in the beginning of this conversation, I don't think that he's a bad guy. So, if he runs against, say, Gavin Newsom, that'll be an interesting debate to see those two because they're both intelligent,' Behar said. The comment stands out given her history of sharp criticism toward the Trump administration.
Behar, who identifies as a Democrat, explained her partisan allegiance by emphasizing what she sees as the party's core values. 'They care about the poor, they help people,' she said of Democrats, adding, 'The Republican party is much more about saving taxes for rich people. So I'm not a Republican.'
The remarks came just hours after Behar and her co-hosts interviewed Vance on the main show, a session that was notably tense. The vice president faced pointed questions on race, immigration policy, and Trump's record. When Whoopi Goldberg pressed him on where people of color fit in the administration's vision, Vance responded, 'Maybe you don't believe this coming from me, but I think everyone is welcome to our political coalition. Frankly, even if you didn't vote for us, everybody is welcome in our country, so as long as you're an American citizen with the duties and the legal obligations and rights to be here.'
Vance also defended Trump on economic issues, including inflation, despite polls showing declining public satisfaction with the president's performance. His media appearances have drawn praise from Trump, who has signaled Vance as a leading contender for the 2028 GOP nomination, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The vice president has been a key figure in the administration's diplomatic efforts, including a controversial Iran Strait deal that has sparked skepticism within his own party.
Behar's unexpected compliment for Vance may reflect a broader acknowledgment of his political skills, even among critics. The potential Vance-Newsom matchup she envisioned would pit two polished communicators against each other, one representing the populist right and the other the progressive left. Newsom, a frequent Trump antagonist, has not declared a 2028 bid but is widely seen as a likely candidate.
The segment also highlighted ongoing tensions between the administration and the media. Earlier this year, Vance clashed with The View hosts over the erasure of Black history, a debate that resurfaced during Tuesday's interview. Despite the friction, Behar's willingness to separate the person from the policy suggests a nuanced view that may resonate with some voters.
As the 2028 cycle looms, both Vance and Newsom are positioning themselves as standard-bearers for their parties. For now, Behar's assessment offers a rare moment of bipartisan civility—but with a clear bottom line: she remains firmly in the Democratic camp.
