Joy Behar Clears the Air on Her Relationship with Elisabeth Hasselbeck: No Feud, Just Friendly Sparring

Joy Behar is addressing the rumors surrounding her relationship with former The View co-host, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, after years of on-air spats. Despite public disagreements, Behar recently confirmed that there is no ongoing feud between the two, calling their relationship friendly and emphasizing that the nature of their arguments was simply part of the dynamic of the show.

During a March 3 episode of The View’s Behind the Table podcast, Behar reflected on her past exchanges with Hasselbeck, particularly their famously fiery debates. She acknowledged the political disagreements but quickly clarified, “I always liked her; she’s a good kid, you know. We used to fight on air about politics, but, so what?” Behar added with a smile, “That’s the show. It’s called The View for a reason.”

A Long-Standing History of On-Air Disagreements

Behar and Hasselbeck’s political clashes were often the most memorable moments of the daytime talk show. Over the years, their arguments centered around everything from the Bush administration to personal opinions about political figures. One of the most heated moments came in January 2025 when Behar criticized country singer Carrie Underwood’s decision to perform at President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Behar expressed her disapproval of supporting Trump, whom she referred to as a “convicted felon.” In response, Hasselbeck, a staunch Trump supporter, fired back on social media, calling Behar “selfish” and accusing her of using Underwood’s name for publicity.

Despite these public disagreements, Behar maintains that there is no ill will between the two. She explained to The View’s executive producer, Brian Teta, that their past on-air spats were simply part of the show’s dynamics and were not reflective of any personal animosity. “It was just like sex—once it’s over, it’s over,” she quipped, drawing from a previous comment she made about their friendly rivalry in 2008.

No Bad Blood Between Behar and Hasselbeck

Despite their differences, Behar is adamant that their relationship is far from toxic. In fact, she emphasized that they are friends and remain close. “Today you could see we’re friends,” Behar said with assurance, responding to the perception that their relationship was more combative than it really is. “It’s fine,” she added, reiterating that their relationship had always been friendly, with their political differences fueling the show’s content, not a real dispute.

Hasselbeck, who returned to guest-host The View during a week-long stint while Alyssa Farah Griffin is on maternity leave, also expressed affection for Behar. The two shared a warm moment on air, with Hasselbeck remarking, “I missed you yesterday, Joy,” during the Hot Topics segment, marking the first time they’d been on screen together since their last public disagreement. Their reunion was met with a positive response from fans, who enjoyed seeing the duo back together, despite the years of political sparring.

Looking Ahead: A Friendly Future

While the two may have sparred over issues of politics in the past, Behar and Hasselbeck’s reunion on The View signifies a shift away from any notion of a deep, lingering feud. Behar’s recent comments make it clear that they both hold mutual respect for each other, with Behar calling Hasselbeck “a nice kid” and affirming that their disagreements have always been part of the job on The View.

As The View continues to air weekday episodes on ABC, fans can expect more lively debates and candid conversations, as Behar and Hasselbeck continue to represent opposing sides of the political spectrum while maintaining a warm and friendly professional relationship. The show’s dynamic remains as sharp as ever, but the underlying respect between the two co-hosts is now more evident than ever.

Their reunion is a reminder that political debate doesn’t have to lead to personal animosity, and while The View often thrives on sharp exchanges, it also showcases the possibility of reconciliation and mutual respect.