‘We’re Pretty Racist, Too’ Says Sunny Hostin on ABC’s The View [WATCH]

Co-host of The View, Sunny Hostin, expressed frustration on Friday about living in the U.S. under President Donald Trump, arguing that the country is more “racist” than Europe.

The discussion arose in response to comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s decision to move to Ireland, citing her opposition to Trump.

During the discussion, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin countered O’Donnell’s move by arguing that the U.S. offers more opportunities and freedoms than many European countries.

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“I’d also remind folks, I think Americans love to think we’re so far behind Europe and they’re so progressive and ahead of us,” Griffin said.

“It’s just not really the case, we remain one of the most ethnically diverse nations on Earth, the one where you’re most likely to come from one socioeconomic class and in your lifetime, be in a completely different one. This table doesn’t exist in a lot of Europe. On LGBTQ rights issues, we are about as advanced as most of Europe.”

Hostin responded by claiming that racism is worse in the U.S. compared to Europe.

“We’re pretty racist, too, though,” she said.

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Griffin pointed out that the U.S. is the most diverse country in the world.

Hostin then argued that American democracy is not functioning properly, which she claimed is why O’Donnell left.

“It’s a pretty young democracy that doesn’t seem to be working right now and so I do think it doesn’t seem to be working for everyone and I think that’s Rosie O’Donnell’s prerogative and that’s her point. It doesn’t work for her family and she is one of the few people that can pick her life up and move it somewhere, most of us are stuck here,” Hostin said.

Despite Hostin’s remarks, European governments have increasingly cracked down on speech and expression, with laws criminalizing so-called hate speech.

In the United Kingdom, authorities arrested military veteran Adam Smith-Connor for silently praying within a designated “buffer zone” around an abortion clinic. He was later convicted under British law.

Similarly, British citizen David Spring was sentenced to 18 months in prison in August 2024 for chanting “Who the f**k is Allah” during a right-wing protest.

Scotland also passed legislation banning prayer within 200 meters of an abortion clinic.

European nations have further prosecuted citizens for online speech.

In August 2022, British authorities arrested a military veteran for criticizing LGBTQ activists online, citing that his comments caused someone “anxiety.”

Germany has also cracked down on individuals accused of spreading what authorities call misinformation or harmful speech online.

Following violent riots in the U.K. during the summer of 2024, the British government introduced new digital speech regulations.

The laws allow authorities to classify certain online speech as hate speech, misinformation, or harmful content.

The U.K. has also warned that it may seek extradition of U.S. citizens if their online speech is deemed capable of inciting violence, according to CBS Austin.

Vice President J.D. Vance condemned Europe’s increasing restrictions on speech during a Feb. 14 address at the Munich Security Conference.

He criticized European leaders for abandoning their fundamental values, citing Smith-Connor’s arrest and Romania’s cancellation of elections as examples of growing authoritarianism.

Trump, who has long had a contentious relationship with O’Donnell, dismissed her decision to leave the U.S.

During a Wednesday press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump responded to a question about O’Donnell’s move by saying he is “better off” not knowing who she is.

Trump and O’Donnell have traded insults for years, with their feud dating back to at least 2006.

During the 2016 Republican presidential primary debates, moderator Megyn Kelly pointed out that Trump had referred to women as “fat pigs,” “dogs,” and “slobs.” Trump responded, “Only Rosie O’Donnell.”

Megyn Kelly: “You’ve called women you don’t like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals.”

Donald Trump, our President: “Only Rosie O’Donnell.”

He’s not wrong… pic.twitter.com/WiaFYDEqH0

— Ryann McEnany (@RyannMcEnany) March 12, 2025

O’Donnell’s decision to leave the U.S. follows her outspoken opposition to Trump and Republican policies.

However, Hostin’s claim that Europe is less racist than the U.S. overlooks the region’s increasing restrictions on free expression and speech.

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