On Tuesday's episode of The View, cohost Joy Behar did not hold back her criticism of New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, calling his public support for President Donald Trump both 'stupid' and 'racist.' The controversy stems from Dart's appearance at a campaign event for Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) in Suffern, New York, where he introduced Trump to the podium.
Dart's Introduction Sparks Backlash
In the clip played on the show, Dart expressed his honor and privilege to introduce Trump, referring to him as the 45th and 47th president of the United States. Trump later praised Dart's physique, specifically his 'tree trunk' legs, during an anti-trans rant. The segment quickly ignited debate among the cohosts.
Whoopi Goldberg and Alyssa Farah Griffin Defend Free Speech
Cohost Whoopi Goldberg acknowledged Dart's right to free speech, stating, 'It's America.' Alyssa Farah Griffin echoed this sentiment. However, Behar was unwavering in her condemnation, arguing that supporting Trump, given his history of discrimination, is incompatible with playing in a league where a majority of players are Black.
'But for somebody to back a guy like Trump, whose history of discrimination and racism goes back to housing discrimination in the '70s, DEI attacks, and posting pictures of the Obamas as apes — when [Dart's] on a team that's 55% to 60% of the NFL, that much percentage of Black people — that is just the definition of stupidity and racist in my opinion,' Behar said.
Co-hosts Weigh In on Team Dynamics
While Behar's colleagues did not fully endorse her harsh assessment, they acknowledged the potential fallout. Sara Haines noted that Dart's position as quarterback amplifies the consequences, citing data that the league is closer to 75% non-white players. 'I would have handled it differently,' Haines said. Behar quipped, 'Maybe he needs a little extra padding.'
Sunny Hostin, who is Black, added a personal perspective: 'When you know the history of this president and you know the biases of this president ... This feels personal.'
Giants Linebacker Abdul Carter's Reaction
Earlier, Giants linebacker Abdul Carter appeared to criticize Dart's public support for Trump but later claimed there was no beef between them. The incident has sparked conversations about the intersection of sports, politics, and team unity, especially in a league with a diverse player base.
