Hold on to your hats folks because things are getting spicy in the world of daytime TV and political appointments! Kennedy – you know Lisa Kennedy Montgomery from Fox News – just went there and spilled some major tea about Joy Behar from The View. And if that wasn't enough drama the Kennedy Center is also in the spotlight thanks to some big moves by Donald Trump. Let's dive in!
Kennedy Calls Joy Behar a "Talking Hemorrhoid" in Auburn Wig - Recounts "Awful" The View Audition
So Kennedy was chatting with Greg Gutfeld on his Fox News show and the topic somehow shifted to The View. Turns out Kennedy actually auditioned for the show way back in 2003 when Lisa Ling left. And get this she made it pretty far in the audition process. She even said she got along great with Star Jones Barbara Walters and Meredith Vieira.
But then came Joy Behar. Kennedy did not hold back. She called Behar "so ungracious and awful." Ouch! She even went as far as to say Joy was like a "talking hemorrhoid in an auburn wig." Double ouch! Kennedy claimed Behar relied heavily on a comedy writer for her jokes even during breaks. Kennedy felt like Behar wasn't genuinely funny or quick-witted and was maybe even a little jealous of Kennedy's natural comedic ability.
According to Kennedy during a break she made some jokes because you know The View is supposed to be conversational and fun. Reportedly Behar then snapped at her "I’ll handle the comedy here." Kennedy's response? "Great. Whenever you start I’ll ease up on the jokes." Talk about a clap back!
Trump Appoints Fox News Loyalists Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo to Kennedy Center Board - Cue the Controversy!
Okay drama alert number two. Switching gears from daytime TV to the world of arts and politics. Donald Trump has been making some waves at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He has been in the process of overhauling the board and his latest move is a big one. He appointed two Fox News anchors Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo to the Kennedy Center board.
This completes what many are calling a full-on takeover of the Kennedy Center board by Trump loyalists. Other recent appointees include folks like second lady Usha Vance White House staff and major Trump donors. Basically the traditionally bipartisan board is now heavily leaning conservative.
Why is this a big deal? Well Ingraham and Bartiromo are known for being strong Trump supporters. Ingraham hosts "The Ingraham Angle" on Fox News and Bartiromo anchors on Fox Business. Both have been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories and biased reporting particularly regarding the 2020 election and Covid-19.
Artists and Creators React with Disappointment and Protest - Hamilton Cancels 2025 Run
Trump's changes at the Kennedy Center are not going over well with everyone especially in the arts community. Several artists have reacted by cutting ties with the institution. One of the biggest names to pull out is Lin-Manuel Miranda. The creator of Hamilton decided to cancel a planned Hamilton run at the Kennedy Center in 2025. That is a major blow considering how popular Hamilton is.
Other artists like Issa Rae and Rhiannon Giddens have also canceled appearances. Comedian W. Kamau Bell showed up for his performance but made it clear it was a form of protest vowing to "turn the ‘wokey’ up to eleven!" It seems like many in the arts world are concerned about the direction Trump is taking the Kennedy Center.
Trump's Vision: Make the Kennedy Center "Hot" and MAGA-fied?
So what is Trump's plan for the Kennedy Center anyway? He has said he wants to make it "hot" whatever that means. Richard Grenell who is now the "interim executive director" of the Kennedy Center has mentioned "a big huge celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas." That gives you a sense of where things might be headed.
Paolo Zampolli another Trump appointee to the board shared some even wilder ideas with the New York Times. Get ready for this: a Valentino fashion show a Cipriani restaurant a marina on the Potomac River and even launching art into space! Yes space! He suggested sending a tiny version of the Wall Street bull statue to the International Space Station. It sounds like they are aiming for a very different vibe at the Kennedy Center than what it has been known for.
Zampolli claims that "MAGA has no relation to culture" and that arts and sports "should not be political." However many see Trump's moves as clearly politicizing the Kennedy Center and shifting it away from its traditionally bipartisan and diverse programming. Trump himself admitted he has never even been to a show at the Kennedy Center but he is confident he can make performances "good" and "not woke." It's a pretty dramatic shift for a major arts institution.
Key Figures in the Kennedy Center Controversy and Behar-Kennedy Spat:
- Kennedy (Lisa Kennedy Montgomery): Fox News personality who criticized Joy Behar and auditioned for The View.
- Joy Behar: Co-host of The View criticized by Kennedy for being "awful" and "ungracious."
- Donald Trump: President who appointed Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo to the Kennedy Center board and is overhauling the institution.
- Laura Ingraham: Fox News host appointed to the Kennedy Center board.
- Maria Bartiromo: Fox Business anchor appointed to the Kennedy Center board.
- Richard Grenell: Interim executive director/president of the Kennedy Center appointed by Trump.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda: Creator of Hamilton who cancelled the show's Kennedy Center run in protest.
- Paolo Zampolli: Trump appointee to the Kennedy Center board with unconventional ideas for the center's future.
Is the Kennedy Center Entering Its MAGA Era? And Will the Arts Survive the Culture Wars?
So what does all this mean? It looks like the Kennedy Center is undergoing a major transformation under Donald Trump's leadership. From a traditionally bipartisan institution it is shifting towards a more overtly conservative and MAGA-aligned direction. Whether this will make the Kennedy Center "hot" as Trump hopes or alienate artists and audiences remains to be seen. The controversy raises big questions about the role of politics in the arts and the future of cultural institutions in an increasingly polarized America. And hey at least we got some juicy daytime TV drama out of it with Kennedy and Joy Behar throwing shade at each other along the way!