In a surprising twist, The View’s outspoken cohost says she’d grant Trump a pardon—on one important condition.
In a surprising revelation on the Behind the Table podcast, Joy Behar, a longstanding critic of Donald Trump and cohost of The View, shared that if she were president, she would grant a pardon to the former president for his crimes. But her reasoning, she explained, has little to do with sympathy or support—and everything to do with moving the country forward.
As the 2024 election looms, Behar, a vocal opponent of Trump’s politics, remarked on her personal desire for a peaceful resolution. At 82, she opened up about the toll that election stress has taken on her, even saying it sometimes feels like “having a breakdown” as the political landscape intensifies. With Americans on edge, Behar’s plea for unity surprised some listeners, though it aligns with her candid personality on and off The View.
Discussing Trump’s conviction and her hypothetical pardon, Behar referenced President Gerald Ford’s 1974 decision to pardon Richard Nixon. “Yes, I would pardon him just to get rid of him,” she said. She cited Ford’s efforts to stabilize the country after Nixon’s resignation, saying she believes it’s time for Trump to move on, away from the public eye. “I don’t want you to go to prison, I really don’t; I don’t have hatred for him,” she said, adding, “I just want him to go away. Move to Moscow.”
Despite years of vocal criticism, Behar’s remarks are more than an unexpected twist—they reveal her hope for a fresh start for American politics. Comparing Nixon’s later diplomatic work with China to a potential future for Trump outside the U.S., she mused that Trump might even find a positive outlet beyond the country’s borders. “Maybe Trump could do something, but not from New York City,” she quipped, suggesting destinations where “you really are welcome.”
On The View, Behar has often urged undecided voters to take a stand. Just recently, she said, “Get off the fence already. It’s a presidential candidate with credentials versus some kind of a nutcase. That’s what you’re up against.” Now, she is calling for a chance to “sleep at night” by letting go of past grievances.
The timing of Behar’s remarks, with Election Day fast approaching, illustrates a deeper concern shared by millions—putting an end to years of political division. While she remains fervent in her views, Behar’s hope for a pardon reflects a desire to turn a new page, whatever the outcome in November.
