Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott is gearing up to appear on “The View” next week, pledging to resolve a week-long feud between himself and the staple of daytime TV.
Scott’s hostility to the show began shortly after he announced his campaign, when host Joy Behar, the most high-profile Black Republican seeking the party’s nomination, claimed that Scott did not understand racism. Now, the South Carolina senator will have the chance to take that debate back in person during his scheduled appearance on Monday, June 5.
The only problem: Behar won’t be there. Mondays off.
According to The Wrap, Scott will instead face a panel of hosts including Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Ana Navarro.
The missed opportunity to meet Behar didn’t dampen Scott’s enthusiasm as he debuted his appearance at a campaign rally in Des Moines on Saturday.
According to The Daily Mail, Scott told the crowd, “I think it’s time for a backbone conservative to look those ladies in the eye and tell them you don’t need to be an exception to succeed in America.”
In the comments that sparked the feud, Behar compared Scott to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, describing both as Black men who “don’t understand” systemic discrimination.
“He’s one of those black Republicans like Clarence Thomas, who believes in pulling yourself up in your boots rather than understanding the systemic racism African Americans are facing in this country,” Behar said. “She doesn’t understand. So is Clarence. That’s why Republicans.”
Scott responded to Behar, describing his remarks as “offensive, obnoxious and dangerous”.
“The way these millionaire TV personalities tell me how to live my life as a Black person is literally the stupidest, most offensive thing I’ve ever witnessed on TV,” he said.
But Scott’s stance at “The View” studio is not a response to the war of words between him and Behar. According to The Wrap, talk about his appearance on the show predates the change, which began when Scott first announced his campaign on May 22.