Sunny Hostin was alone among “The View” co-hosts to defend a Virginia restaurant owner who refused to serve Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
The owner of the Red Hen Restaurant asked the White House press secretary and her family to leave Saturday after polling her employees, who disagreed with the Trump administration’s family separation policy and other actions.
“This is not who we are as Americans, and (Rep.) Steve Scalise was shot at a baseball game because of political motivations,” said co-host Meghan McCain. “This can ramp up, and I don’t like it, and I don’t think this is where we should be as Americans.”
Co-host Joy Behar essentially agreed, saying there was no point in trying to embarrass or ostracize Trump administration officials like Sanders and Homeland Security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.
“They actually are shameless, so what’s the point of trying to shame them?” Behar said.
Co-host Sara Haines argued that the restaurant owner had become what she criticized, but Hostin disagreed — saying White House officials were public officials and accountable to the Americans they serve.
“There are consequences, you know, you make choices,” Hostin said. “You know, people have been comparing this to the gay couple being refused service. Well, being gay is not a choice. Choosing to stand up in front of this administration is your choice.”
McCain defended administration officials, saying she had family members who served Trump, and she asked Hostin whether she would feel comfortable having dinner with her and her family.
“I don’t know,” Hostin admitted. “I don’t know, but I will say that’s their choice.”
Host Whoopi Goldberg warned that refusing service to someone with opposing political views was a dangerous and slippery slope, but Hostin said she was missing the point.
“Your ideology is not a protected class under the law,” Hostin said. “So if you’re a business owner and you do not want to serve Sarah Sanders, it’s perfectly within your rights. This administration is the height of not being civil.”
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