WATCH: Sunny Hostin Forced To Read Another Legal Note Admitting Gaetz, Hegseth Weren’t Charged

Sunny Hostin, co-host of ‘The View,’ found herself delivering not one but two legal disclaimers so far this week, addressing controversial allegations against prominent figures Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth. Hostin, clad in a sparkly oversized silver suit, appeared notably subdued as she read another prepared statement correcting previous discussions about the pair on Thursday.

The moment came during a segment that veered into allegations against Gaetz, the Republican ex-congressman who had previously been accused of sex trafficking and other misconduct. Despite his being cleared of all charges, the topic continues to surface in media discussions. Hostin had criticized Gaetz just minutes before being handed a legal note to read aloud.

“I have a legal note,” Hostin began. “Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations and has not been charged with any crime. Gaetz previously dismissed allegations that he paid for sex, saying that, quote, ‘someone is trying to recategorize my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward.’”

The disclaimer, while factually necessary, visibly shifted the energy of the discussion. Hostin, known for her fiery commentary, seemed reluctant to temper her remarks. “Another legal note,” she read, “Pete Hegseth’s lawyer said he paid the woman in 2023 to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. He has denied any wrongdoing.”

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“Just call the show Legal Note from now on,” Joy Behar joked after.

This isn’t the first time ‘The View’ has been compelled to issue legal clarifications in the middle of a show. Just the day before, Hostin had faced a similar situation after a heated exchange about Gaetz’s suitability as a nominee for Attorney General under President-elect Donald Trump. Her earlier criticisms triggered an immediate need for on-air corrections to avoid legal ramifications.

The repeated on-air legal disclaimers have become a point of contention for critics of ‘The View,’ with many accusing the show of rushing to judgment in its discussions of public figures. Gaetz has maintained his innocence throughout the high-profile investigation. Hegseth, meanwhile, has denied allegations related to the payment, describing them as baseless.

Hegseth and Gaetz have recently been in the spotlight due to their nominations for key positions in President-elect Trump’s administration.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army veteran, has been nominated as Secretary of Defense. He faced controversy in 2017 when a woman accused him of sexual assault, alleging he prevented her from leaving his hotel room and confiscated her phone. Hegseth has refuted these claims, insisting the interaction was consensual. Following a police investigation, no charges were brought against him.

Meanwhile, initially nominated for Attorney General, Gaetz withdrew his candidacy on Thursday. Gaetz broke the news via social media, saying he had “excellent meetings” with senators but concluded that his confirmation process was threatening to overshadow the transition team’s priorities.

“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General.”

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