Joy Behar has shared a surprising behind-the-scenes moment from a recent episode of The View, where she privately urged Vice President J.D. Vance to consider a future presidential bid. This conversation took place during a commercial break, even as the longtime co-host continues to stand firmly against supporting him at the ballot box.
In a candid discussion on the “Behind the Table” podcast with producer Brian Teta, Behar reflected on her off-camera exchange with Vance following his appearance on the show on June 16. The interaction highlighted a complex mix of personal admiration and deep political disagreement between the two.
Behar explained that Vance’s personal story, detailed in his memoir Hillbilly Elegy, had made a strong impact on her over the years. She observed that he seemed like “a different kind of person” prior to aligning closely with Donald Trump, suggesting a shift in his public persona that she found noteworthy.
“I think if he were president, he would go back to being a kinder person. … Trump is the one who’s not kind,” Behar claimed during the podcast. When Teta pressed her on whether this amounted to an endorsement, she moved quickly to clarify her position.
Behar stated plainly, “No, because I’m not voting for him anyway — especially if he runs against one of the good Democrats that we have out there.” Her remarks underscored a clear boundary between appreciating certain qualities in Vance and any willingness to back him politically.
Teta later reminded Behar of her direct encouragement to the vice president during the break. She confirmed the account without hesitation, adding, “I think [he should]. … I do.” This admission revealed an unexpected level of openness from the liberal commentator toward a prominent conservative figure.
Despite her positive off-air comments, Behar emphasized her longstanding party loyalty. She noted that she’s “not a Republican,” while acknowledging some limited tolerance for Republican leadership in local city government settings.
“But on the national level, I want somebody with a good heart — and those are more in the Democratic Party, in my opinion,” she said. “They care about the poor, they help people. The Republican Party is more about saving taxes for the rich people. So I am not a Republican.”
Behar suggested that a hypothetical matchup between Vance and a high-profile Democrat could prove compelling for viewers. She pointed to California Gov. Gavin Newsom as one example, describing a potential contest as “an interesting debate to see” due to the intelligence both men possess.
While she stopped short of labeling Vance as inherently malicious, Behar did voice specific frustrations with some of his past statements. She took particular issue with how he addressed his earlier description of Trump as “America’s Hitler,” rejecting his explanation outright.
“He called [Trump] ‘America’s Hitler’ [and] blamed it on the media that they were misrepresenting Trump. Don’t give me that. … That’s where I draw the line on the guy,” she said.
Teta agreed during the exchange, noting that Vance is “definitely good at spinning” facts. This back-and-forth captured the blend of reluctant respect and pointed criticism that defined Behar’s overall assessment of the vice president.
The episode illustrates the nuanced conversations that sometimes occur away from the cameras on daytime television. Behar’s willingness to share the private moment offers insight into how personal impressions can coexist with strong ideological divides in today’s polarized environment.
Overall, her comments reflect a broader pattern among some political observers who separate individual character traits from policy alignments and electoral choices. As the political landscape continues to evolve, such candid exchanges may spark further discussion across party lines.
