Overview
- During The View’s Hot Topics segment on Wednesday, Whoopi Goldberg cut off audible boos after she mentioned Sen. Ted Cruz would appear later in the program.
- Goldberg told the audience the show was built to host differing views and urged viewers to 'swallow it back down,' explicitly citing Barbara Walters' tradition of welcoming guests with opposing opinions.
- After a commercial break, Cruz walked onstage and was met with applause, though his remarks — including giving President Trump an 'A' on the economy — drew gasps and groans from the crowd.
- The exchange took place as the hosts discussed the Republican midterm convention in Dallas and Cruz’s visit to promote his new book, Going Further: The Incomparable Clarence Thomas.
- Coverage noted different frames for the moment, with some outlets highlighting on-air audience control and others linking the booking to broader debates about guest balance and FCC scrutiny of ABC.