Inside Meghan McCain and Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s Coronavirus Feud and Their Supportive Relationship Beforehand
Elisabeth Hasselbeck has been notorious for her conservative views. Many of the infamous debates during her time on The View was due to her and her co-hosts disagreeing on politics and Hasselbeck sticking to her guns. After leaving the daytime talk show, she voiced support for Meghan McCain, who many perceive as a second coming as Hasselbeck.
But Hasselbeck’s comments on the coronavirus did not sit well with McCain and the two have been going back and forth about their stance, and neither appear close to giving in.
A recap of Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s comments
Hasselbeck appeared on The View as a co-host and when the subject of the coronavirus was brought up, her response left many believing she downplayed the seriousness of the issue.
“I think there can be a fine line between what is precaution, what is taking precaution, and what is panic,” she said. “Yes, we’re going to take precautions, we’re going to Purell, pray that God’s got us in our tomorrows. We pray that this coronavirus is extinguished, that it stops in its tracks.”
The other panelist questioned Hasselbeck’s view, noting that thousands of people were dying from the virus.
Megan McCain says she doesn’t need to co-host with Elisabeth Hasselbeck again
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, McCain was asked about Hasselbeck’s comments regarding the coronavirus while on The View, and McCain did not hold back in letting Cohen know that she and Hasselbeck were on opposite ends of their opinions on just how series the coronavirus threat was.
“Somebody actually sent me a screenshot of my face when she said that. I took this virus seriously from the very beginning and I thought a lot of this rhetoric was really dangerous,” McCain said.
“I don’t need to co-host with her again, and it’s unfortunate, because I’ve been a huge fan for a long time. Anybody who is screwing around with this virus and putting out misinformation, I don’t really have a lot of time for right now.”
McCain previously spoke about her disagreeing with Hasslebeck on a live taping of The View, where she shaded FOX News’s coverage of the coronavirus. Hasselbeck left The View for FOX.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck claps back at Meghan McCain’s ‘Watch What Happens Live’ interview
Hasselbeck shot at McCain in a post on her Instagram page in a video.
I never said I had the power to pray covid away,” she said. “My quote was that I am going to pray and purell…We are all just doing our best, and I don’t know why you are taking an opportunity to be so aggressive toward me during such a stressful time.
McCain’s opposition to Hasselbeck’s comments were shocking to many, as both are members of conservative media, although McCain identifies as a Republican with a liberal stance on issues including LGBT rights. She also has been an admirer of Hasselbeck and the two have had a seemingly supportive relationship.
What was Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Meghan McCain’s relationship like before their coronavirus feud?
McCain and Hasselbeck had a good relationship prior to their differences regarding the coronavirus. In fact, in March 2020, McCain admitted that she would welcome Hasselbeck as a co-host with open arms.
“She’s the only woman I would give up my chair for. She can sit in the conservative chair anytime. She’s the OG. I love her,” she said as reported by Good Housekeeping.
Last year, McCain praised her on the show when Hasslebeck appeared on the show to promote her book.
“How in God’s name did you do this for 10 years? Being the lone conservative on this show is … I’ve always had respect for you,” McCain told her. “When I first came on my first day I said, ‘I wish to emulate Elisabeth,’ because you really were the OG of this seat.”
