The View Co-Host Questions If Donald Trump Is As Extreme As They Say He Is [WATCH]

Sara Haines, co-host of The View, raised questions on Friday about President-elect Donald Trump’s consistency on major policy issues following his recent interview with Time Magazine.

Trump, who was named “Person of the Year” by the publication on Thursday, addressed several contentious topics, prompting Haines to speculate whether his positions might disappoint his voter base.

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During the interview, Trump described the transgender bathroom issue as one that impacts “a small number of people,” clarified he would not ban the abortion pill, and indicated he had no immediate plans to pursue investigations into political rivals. Haines suggested that these statements may signal a shift from the campaign promises that helped secure Trump’s victory.

“Well, I would say that Trump has always been really talented at bluster and hype without always following through,” Haines remarked during Friday’s episode.

Haines continued, “When I was reading this, one thing came to mind: it might not be Democrats who are the most disappointed by a Trump presidency. It might be those people who voted for him for a few different reasons. His takes on some of his biggest campaign things that he ran on, I don’t think they changed. He’s a great salesman when it comes to wooing a voter.”

Haines highlighted Trump’s comments on the transgender bathroom debate, saying, “He acknowledged that it’s a ‘small number of people,’ I don’t really care where anyone goes to the bathrooms. He said he wanted all people to be treated fairly.”

On abortion, Haines quoted Trump as saying, “I’m not gonna ban it. I don’t care, really.” Regarding investigations into political rivals, Trump reportedly stated, “I’ll leave it up to Pam Bondi. Maybe they’ll do it, maybe they won’t.” Haines suggested that Trump’s statements reflect a lack of concern about likability now that he has won the election.

Haines and her fellow co-hosts have been vocal critics of Trump throughout his political career.

They have repeatedly characterized him as a threat to democracy, often making claims that have been disputed or unsubstantiated.

In May, Haines falsely alleged that Trump and his supporters would push for a national abortion ban “from the moment of conception” and work to eliminate in vitro fertilization (IVF). “The bills they’re trying to pass, if it were a President Trump … those [fertility treatments] are off the table,” Haines claimed.

Trump has publicly opposed such measures, including Florida’s six-week abortion ban and an 1864 Arizona law banning most abortions.

He also stated during his campaign that he would not sign any legislation banning IVF or implementing a nationwide abortion ban.

The criticism extended to broader allegations from co-hosts like Whoopi Goldberg, who claimed in January that Trump would “round up” journalists and members of the LGBTQ community to make them disappear.

Goldberg also alleged that Trump intended to dissolve interracial marriages and forcibly reassign partners based on race, although no evidence was presented to support these claims.

Goldberg later attempted to temper fears, advising viewers not to “panic” about Trump’s presidency unless there was a specific reason to act.

Haines and her co-hosts have maintained their stance that Trump poses an extreme threat to democracy, with some, including former Rep. Liz Cheney, suggesting that his actions undermine the U.S. Constitution.

As Trump prepares to assume office, debates over his policy intentions and the accuracy of claims from his critics are likely to remain a focal point of national discourse.

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