Abby Huntsman Returns to Daytime Television to Confront Toxic Work Culture on The View Studio in New York

Abby Huntsman, the former conservative voice on The View, is making a high-profile return to daytime television this week.

The announcement was confirmed by the show’s official social media channels, revealing that Huntsman will join as a guest host while Alyssa Farah Griffin takes maternity leave.

Huntsman, 39, originally served on the panel from 2018 to 2020.

At the time, her exit was publicly framed as a move to support her father, Jon Huntsman, in his Utah gubernatorial campaign.

Behind the Scenes: Toxicity Claims Surface

A year after stepping away, Huntsman opened up on her podcast, I Wish Somebody Told Me, about deeper reasons for leaving.

She described The View as an environment “rewarding people for bad behavior” and said the show “did not reflect my values.”

Huntsman criticized the executives for prioritizing money and tabloid attention over professionalism.

She recounted instances of inappropriate behavior and described a producer pressuring her to read a statement denying claims of a toxic workplace, which she refused.

Following her refusal, the producer reportedly texted her: “That was a mistake.”

Reflecting on her last day, Huntsman said she felt liberated the moment she left the building.

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“I could breathe and feel myself breathing,” she shared. “I hadn’t felt present for almost two years.”

Panel Tensions: Friendship and Friction

Reports at the time highlighted tensions between Huntsman and fellow conservative panelist Meghan McCain.

Sources indicated that the pair, who shared Republican family backgrounds, saw their friendship strain after Huntsman spoke about her children following McCain’s miscarriage.

One source told CNN that Huntsman had grown weary of perceived berating from McCain, ultimately deciding the job “wasn’t worth it.”

ABC representatives denied reports of a toxic environment, framing the show as a challenging but committed space for sharing opinions on live television.

Career Background and Legacy

Before her time on The View, Huntsman built her media profile as a host on MSNBC and Fox News.

On The View, she worked alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Meghan McCain.

The conservative seat she once occupied has since been filled by Alyssa Farah Griffin, with temporary fill-ins including reality star Savannah Chrisley and former panelist Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck has been openly critical of the current lineup, telling Fox News in 2025 that the show “refused to put anyone there who has a lick of sense on most days.”

Impact and Consequences

Huntsman’s return highlights ongoing discussions about the internal dynamics of daytime talk shows and the experiences of hosts navigating high-pressure, public-facing environments.

Her comments may also reignite scrutiny of The View’s workplace culture, drawing attention from both fans and media critics.

What’s Next?

Viewers can expect Huntsman to bring her characteristic conservative perspective to the panel during her guest stint.

Media insiders suggest her presence may also spark comparisons between past and current panel dynamics, particularly amid continued debate over the show’s handling of interpersonal conflict.

Summary

Abby Huntsman is rejoining The View as a guest host after leaving in 2020.

Her departure was initially attributed to family commitments, but she later revealed issues with the show’s toxic environment and conflicts with fellow panelists.

Her return comes as the show temporarily replaces Alyssa Farah Griffin during maternity leave, highlighting both Huntsman’s enduring appeal and the complexities of daytime television culture.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Abby Huntsman is returning to The View as a guest host after leaving in 2020.
• Huntsman criticized the show’s workplace as “toxic” and “rewarding bad behavior.”
• Tensions with Meghan McCain reportedly contributed to her decision to leave.
• She previously hosted on MSNBC and Fox News before joining The View.
• Temporary co-hosts filling in for Alyssa Farah Griffin include Savannah Chrisley and Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
• Huntsman’s return may reignite discussions about the show’s culture and dynamics.