The View's Joy Behar Draws Backlash for Controversial Jesus Comments

Behar's claim that Jesus did not call himself the Messiah prompts swift fact-checking from co-hosts and viewers.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:41pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring sharp, jagged geometric shapes in bold red and white, conceptually representing the clash between religion and political discourse.The heated debate on The View over the use of religious imagery in political rhetoric exposes the ongoing tensions at the intersection of faith and politics.Las Vegas Today

During a heated debate on ABC's The View, co-host Joy Behar, 83, appeared to inadvertently call Jesus a narcissist while attempting to draw a contrast between the former president and the religious figure. Behar's claim that 'Jesus was not narcissistic like this guy' and that 'Jesus Himself did not run around saying, 'I'm the Messiah, I'm the Messiah!'' prompted immediate pushback from her co-hosts and a wave of fact-checking from biblical scholars and commentators.

Why it matters

Behar's controversial comments about Jesus sparked a broader discussion about the role of religion in politics and the line between faith and political rhetoric. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions around the intersection of religion, public discourse, and political figures' use of religious imagery.

The details

The exchange unfolded during a panel discussion about former President Donald Trump's AI-generated image that depicted him as a Christ-like figure. Behar's remarks drew swift correction from co-host Sara Haines, who cited specific biblical passages where Jesus identified himself as the Messiah. Other co-hosts, including Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin, also condemned Trump's use of religious imagery, with Griffin noting that Jesus preached peace, in contrast to the former president's actions.

  • The incident occurred on April 16, 2026, during a taping of ABC's The View.
  • The discussion was prompted by a recent post from former President Trump on his Truth Social platform, which featured an AI-generated image depicting him as a Christ-like figure.

The players

Joy Behar

An 83-year-old co-host of ABC's The View, who was raised Roman Catholic but identifies as agnostic.

Sara Haines

A co-host of ABC's The View who challenged Behar's claims about Jesus.

Whoopi Goldberg

The moderator of ABC's The View who stepped in to restore order after the heated exchange.

Donald Trump

The former president whose AI-generated image depicting him as a Christ-like figure sparked the discussion on The View.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who issued a statement expressing his disappointment with Trump's comments.

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What they’re saying

“Jesus Himself did not run around saying, 'I'm the Messiah, I'm the Messiah!'”

— Joy Behar, Co-host, The View

“That's exactly what Jesus said, 'I am the Messiah!'”

— Sara Haines, Co-host, The View

“Jesus was not narcissistic like this guy.”

— Joy Behar, Co-host, The View

“When you are the Messiah, it's not narcissism to say it.”

— Sara Haines, Co-host, The View

“I'm going to move this along because this is like, it's too much for me.”

— Whoopi Goldberg, Moderator, The View

What’s next

The controversy surrounding Behar's comments is likely to continue, with religious leaders and commentators weighing in on the appropriate use of religious imagery in political discourse. The View may also revisit the topic in future episodes to further explore the intersection of faith and politics.

The takeaway

Behar's remarks about Jesus have sparked a broader discussion about the role of religion in public discourse and the need for sensitivity when invoking religious figures, especially in the context of political rhetoric. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions around the intersection of faith and politics, and the importance of fact-checking and nuanced dialogue on these sensitive topics.