Will Meghan McCain be the next co-host to depart “The View”?
The Daily Beast reports that the Republican panelist — who has repeatedly clashed on air with her more liberal co-hosts Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin — might turn down an offer to appear on the talk show’s 23rd season in September.
The 34-year-old daughter of the late Sen. John McCain is “feeling like a caged animal,” a source told the publication. She also feels “so exhausted and defeated” after two seasons of on-air bickering, another insider said.
“It’s getting to the point where it’s not worth the emotional toll every week,” said a McCain pal, who asked not to be further identified. “If she doesn’t stay at ‘The View,’ she will find other work.”
Hilary Estey McLoughlin, the show’s senior executive producer, told the outlet that no one at “The View” wants McCain to leave but acknowledged her knack for making headlines.
“We don’t want people to attack Meghan. We’re happy to have Meghan there,” McLoughlin told The Daily Beast. “I think she does want to be there. I think she wants to be on the show. She realizes it’s a very good platform for her and we love having her there. I feel like she will come back.”
She added, “… these stories don’t seem to go away.”
However, the ABC talk show expects “everyone” to return in the fall.
“The co-hosts and ‘The View’ have had an incredible season and we expect them all back for an epic year ahead,” a spokesperson for the show told Page Six on Wednesday.
Whoopi Goldberg and Abby Huntsman round out the panel, alongside McCain, Behar and Hostin.
Huntsman, a longtime friend of McCain’s, acknowledged that her pal doesn’t have too many allies on the show.
“I think you only survive in this crazy business when you have people you can trust,” Huntsman said. “And I think that what is frustrating for her, on the show, is that she doesn’t have that with a lot of people there.”
The show has seen a revolving door of co-hosts — many with short-lived stints — in recent years, including Jenny McCarthy, Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace.
McCain declined to comment on The Daily Beast’s report. McCain’s personal rep referred Page Six to ABC’s statement.