At the start of Thursday's show, Meghan McCain announced that she was leaving The View once the season wraps at the end of July.
Rumors of Meghan's exit have been a constant throughout her four-season run, but now the conservative-leaning co-host is making things official. Her announcement follows years of speculation, dating back to 2019 when The Daily Beast reported that Meghan was feeling "emotionally drained, angry, and isolated" and like "a caged animal." But even though her quarrels with co-hosts make headlines, Meghan confirms that her decision has nothing to do with the other women on the panel; she's simply ready to move on.
While looking into the camera, she reflected on her four years on the show, telling viewers that her dad, the late Senator John McCain, is the reason she's been sitting at this table in the first place. "It was my dad who encouraged me to do it. He said that I could never give up an opportunity to work on such an iconic show and to work with Whoopi Goldberg, and he was right. It was one of the last things he told me to do before he died," she explained on-air.
Why Is Meghan McCain Leaving The View?
Meghan led her on-air announcement by sharing how the pandemic ultimately shaped her decision. When the ABC studios shut down in March 2020, the then-pregnant Meghan and her husband Ben Domenech relocated to Washington D.C., where they had previously split their time. Since welcoming their daughter in September, the pair has come to the realization that D.C. is the best place for their family in the long-run. "We have this incredible life here. We're surrounded by my family, his family, friends, this incredible support unit. I think as any new mom knows, when I think about where I want Liberty to have her first steps and first words, I just have this really wonderful life here that I felt like ultimately I didn't want to leave."
She went on to thank her co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines, calling them "the most talented women on all of television."
This show is one of the hands-down, greatest, most exhilarating, wonderful privileges of my entire life. I've had so many amazing experiences in my life and this is definitely one of the top. It is a privilege to work alongside such strong, brilliant, intelligent, incredible broadcasters like the four of you. You are the most talented women on all of television hands-down. It has been so incredible to be able to do this with you.
At this point, it's unclear if Meghan plans to find another home on TV once the show wraps next month. Until then, she jokes that she'll be around "to fight a little more" with her co-hosts.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.Â
