Former “The View” panelist Elisabeth Hasselbeck made a triumphant return to the daytime talk series, sharing uplifting words with the audience and her fellow co-hosts.
Hasselbeck said she was “so thankful” to return to the show she co-hosted for a decade. She called the experience “a gift,” as reported by PEOPLE.
She added, “Whoopi, we go way back. We go way back. It’s a blessing to be near you anytime that I can.”
Elisabeth Hasselbeck Said ‘The View’ Panel Does a ‘Great Job’
On the broadcast, Elisabeth Hasselbeck said that “The View” panelists do a “great job,” per PEOPLE. She explained the importance of having “voices as women in the world right now, forever reminded of the gift of our freedoms.”
She added, “Women can be beautiful, voiced, respected. And its a blessing to be able to share our thoughts.”
“We might have differences of opinion, but we love each other, and we’re stronger for it. Whoopi, we’ve said it before: we can hold our positions in one hand and each other’s hands in the other.”
Hasselbeck concluded, “So we get to do that all week. It might get a little spicy at times, but we do not hate each other; we love each other.”
Why Did Elisabeth Hasselbeck Return to ‘The View?’
Elisabeth Hasselbeck returned to “The View” as a fill-in for Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is currently on maternity leave after giving birth to her first son.
Griffin gave birth to Justin Patrick Griffin, Jr., on February 10, 2026, as announced via an Instagram post. The baby is named after her husband, whom she married in 2021.
Hasselbeck is one of several rotating hosts who will take Griffin’s place during this time. Her tenure on the daytime talk show will be one week.
Deadline reported there will be a series of women taking Griffin’s spot at the show’s Hot Topics table throughout her scheduled maternity leave. These commentators include Hasselbeck and Abby Huntsman, as well as Amanda Carpenter, Sheryl Underwood, and Whitney Cummings. Reality television star Savannah Chrisley was the first to host in Griffin’s place.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck exited “The View” after a run that lasted from 2003 through 2013, before returning as a guest host during Seasons 23 and 25 reported TV Insider. In her book “Point of View,” as excerpted by USA Today, she was told that the show was “going in a less political direction” and that her contract was not being renewed.
“The View” airs live weekdays at 11 a.m. on ABC.
