In a recent episode of The View, co-host Sunny Hostin sparked controversy by likening the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol to historical atrocities such as the Holocaust, World War II, and slavery.
According to The Post Millennial, Hostin initiated the comparison by recalling the immediate aftermath of the Capitol riot. She quoted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's initial condemnation of former President Donald Trump for his role in the incident. "I just remember after January 6th, you had someone like Mitch McConnell placing the blame on January 6th where it belonged, squarely on Donald Trumps shoulders," Hostin said. She then criticized those who subsequently softened their stance, accusing them of "losing their moral center."
Hostin further expressed her disapproval of those who suggested moving on from the incident, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "You had Condoleezza Rice, I believe, on this very show saying, You know, we need to move on from January 6th. I say, No. You dont move on!" Hostin declared. She then proceeded to categorize the Capitol riot as an atrocity, equating it with some of the darkest periods in American history. "January 6th was an atrocity. It was one of the worst moments in American history. And 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 past becomes prologue if you forget and erase."
Hostin's comments were met with backlash from StopAntisemitism, an antisemitism watchdog group. The group expressed its disgust at the comparison, stating, Over 6 million Jews were massacred during the Holocaust. For an entertainment host to compare a riot to such a massive stain in history is nauseating at best.
While none of Hostins co-hosts directly challenged her remarks, co-host Sara Haines did emphasize the importance of remembering the Capitol riot, albeit without drawing parallels to other historical events. Haines suggested that footage of the riot should be replayed annually, much like the commemoration of 9/11. "The important thing is to commemorate it every year in a way, not to compare it to 9/11 because, again, its not an equivalent," Haines stated. She highlighted the emotional impact of such events on those who lived through them, underscoring the importance of historical memory in shaping our understanding of the present.
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