Sunny Hostin, co-host of The View, has started a row after comparing the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021 to the Holocaust and slavery.
Her remarks, made during Monday’s episode of the talk show, have drawn significant criticism, with some even demanding her removal.
The former federal prosecutor likened the Capitol riot to historical atrocities, including the Holocaust and slavery. “When you think about the worst moments in American history, you know, like World War II, things that happened, you know, like the Holocaust, chattel slavery – we need to never forget because the past becomes prologue if you forget and erase,” she argued.
Reflecting on the four-year anniversary of the event, Hostin, 56, spoke about the need for “moral clarity” regarding the riot. On 6 January 2021, a crowd of Trump supporters broke into the Capitol to try and block the certification of Joe Biden’s election win. The attack led to destruction, injuries, and five deaths, leaving a lasting impact on the nation.
“I think we need to find moral clarity, you know, in this country,” she said during the show. Hostin expressed concern about what she sees as a declining sense of outrage over the attack.
Hostin criticised former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice for urging Americans to “move on” from the riot during a previous appearance on The View. “I say, no, you don’t move on, because January 6th was an atrocity. It was one of the worst moments in American history,” Hostin stated.
Her comments faced strong backlash online, with many accusing her of downplaying historic tragedies. Some social media users even called on ABC to fire her. “Sunny Hostin needs to be fired immediately. This is too far. Even for The View,” wrote Paul Szypula on social media platform X.
Hostin, who has frequently criticised Trump and his supporters, reportedly deleted her X account following Trump’s presidential win.
Social media users, particularly on X, were quick to respond, with many criticising Hostin for making such remarks, trolling her, and even demanding the show be shut down.
In January 2022, US vice president Kamala Harris also compared the January 6 attacks to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
“Certain dates echo throughout history, including dates that instantly remind all who have lived through them, where they were and what they were doing when our democracy came under assault,” Harris said at the Capitol, marking the start of a day of events commemorating the Jan. 6 attack.
Harris added that some dates in US history “occupy not only a place on our calendars, but a place in our collective memory. December 7th, 1941. September 11th, 2001. And January 6th, 2021,” as reported by USA Today.
This remark too drew intense backlash, with critics accusing Harris of trivialising the impact of the Pearl Harbor and 9/11 attacks.
