Abby Huntsman Returns to The View After 'Toxic' Exit

Abby Huntsman Returns to The View: A Surprising Comeback Six Years in the Making

On Monday, March 23, 2026, Abby Huntsman walked back onto the set of The View — the same show she once described as having a "toxic culture" and called "unbearable." The 39-year-old television personality is filling in as guest host while Alyssa Farah Griffin is on maternity leave, marking one of the more unexpected returns in daytime television history. Fans and critics alike are buzzing about the reunion, making Huntsman one of the most-searched names in entertainment right now.

The comeback is significant not just because of the personal history involved, but because it signals a new chapter for Huntsman — and perhaps a more nuanced relationship with the show that defined, and then complicated, a key stretch of her career.

From Co-Host to Critic: What Happened When Abby Huntsman Left The View

Huntsman served as a co-host on The View from 2018 to 2020, joining the show as a moderate Republican voice on a panel known for its lively political debates. Her departure in early 2020 was tied publicly to her father's political ambitions — Jon Huntsman Jr., the 2012 Republican presidential candidate, was mounting a campaign for governor of Utah, and Abby stepped away from the show to serve as his senior advisor.

But the full story came out later. In 2021, Huntsman opened up on her podcast, condemning what she described as the show's "toxic culture." She claimed that executives had created an environment she characterized as being "all about money and the tabloids," and told People magazine that leaving was "the best decision" she could have made. Most memorably, she said she was "living again" when she walked out of the building on her final day.

Her time on the show had also been marked by a well-documented backstage feud with fellow co-host Meghan McCain, which reportedly contributed to tensions behind the scenes. The combination of personal conflict and institutional frustration painted a picture of a workplace in turmoil — at least from Huntsman's perspective.

Why She's Back: Guest Hosting for Alyssa Farah Griffin

So what brings someone back to a place they once called unbearable? In this case, the short answer is opportunity — and perhaps a change of perspective.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, one of The View's current co-hosts, is currently on maternity leave, creating an opening for guest hosts. Huntsman stepped in to fill that slot, and her return was announced to considerable fanfare. The Cleveland Plain Dealer noted the appearance as a significant moment in the show's ongoing evolution, calling it a notable return of a "former voice during major change."

Huntsman herself has acknowledged the irony of her return. She has indicated that her feelings about the show — and about public life more broadly — have shifted in the years since she walked away. Speaking on Monday's episode, she said she is now "more passionate, more emotional, more concerned" about the country after stepping back from daily television. She specifically voiced concern about the state of free media in America, signaling that her re-emergence is driven by a sense of civic urgency as much as anything else.

Monday's Episode: What Huntsman Said on Her Return

Huntsman wasted no time diving into substantive political commentary on her first day back. During the March 23 episode, she joined the rest of the panel in criticizing President Trump's remarks celebrating the death of former FBI director Robert Mueller — a moment that demonstrated she remains a sharp, engaged political commentator willing to take clear stances.

The episode also featured a lighter moment that quickly went viral. Ana Navarro, never one to miss a comedic beat, joked that Huntsman "might be pregnant by the time you leave" — a nod to the remarkable number of pregnancies among The View's current and recent cast. Navarro quipped, "Everybody's pregnant here — except me, I'm just fat."

Huntsman laughed off the comment, replying that her husband and she had "taken care of that one," getting a big reaction from the studio audience. It was the kind of warm, unscripted moment that The View is known for — and a sign that Huntsman's chemistry with the current panel is very much intact.

The 'Toxic Culture' Comments: Has Huntsman Changed Her Tune?

Her return has prompted questions about what exactly Huntsman thinks of the show today. After all, she was vocal in her criticism following her departure — and those comments didn't exactly endear her to producers at the time.

The reality of television, however, is that personalities evolve and institutional dynamics shift. The show's lineup has changed significantly since Huntsman's original tenure. Meghan McCain, with whom Huntsman reportedly clashed, has also since departed. The current panel — including Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro — represents a different era of the show.

In 2024, Huntsman had already made a special appearance on The View, testing the waters before this more extended guest hosting stint. That visit appeared to go smoothly enough to open the door for Monday's return. Whether Huntsman would characterize today's View as meaningfully different from the one she left — or whether time and distance have simply softened her perspective — remains an open question.

Who Is Abby Huntsman? Background and Career

For those less familiar with her biography, Abby Huntsman comes from one of the most prominent families in American Republican politics. Her father, Jon Huntsman Jr., served as governor of Utah, U.S. Ambassador to China under President Obama, and was a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Growing up in that environment shaped Abby's worldview and gave her early exposure to politics and public life.

She launched her television career at Fox News, where she was a host and correspondent before joining The View in 2018. Her move to the ABC daytime program was seen as a high-profile shift, bringing her to a much larger and more diverse audience. She was positioned as a counterweight to the show's more liberal voices — a moderate Republican who could engage across the aisle without descending into partisan combat.

After her 2020 departure and her work on her father's gubernatorial campaign, Huntsman largely stepped back from the national spotlight. Her return to The View in 2026 represents her most prominent television moment in years, and many industry observers will be watching closely to see whether it leads to a more permanent role.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abby Huntsman's Return to The View

Why did Abby Huntsman leave The View in 2020?

Huntsman officially left The View in early 2020 to serve as a senior advisor for her father Jon Huntsman Jr.'s campaign for governor of Utah. However, she later revealed that the show's internal environment — which she described as having a "toxic culture" focused on money and tabloid coverage — was also a significant factor in her decision to leave.

What did Abby Huntsman say about The View after she left?

In 2021, Huntsman spoke out on her podcast and in interviews, criticizing the culture at The View under its executives. She said she was "living again" after walking out on her last day, and told People that leaving was "the best decision" she had ever made. She claimed the show's environment was driven by money and tabloid sensationalism rather than meaningful content.

Why is Abby Huntsman guest hosting The View in 2026?

Huntsman is filling in for co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is currently on maternity leave. The show has been rotating guest hosts during Griffin's absence, and Huntsman's selection for the role marks her first extended return to the program since her departure in 2020.

Did Abby Huntsman and Meghan McCain have a feud?

Yes. Reports from behind the scenes at The View during Huntsman's tenure indicated a significant personal and professional tension between her and co-host Meghan McCain. The nature of that feud was never fully detailed publicly, but it was widely cited as a contributing factor to the difficult backstage atmosphere Huntsman described after her departure.

Is Abby Huntsman becoming a permanent co-host on The View again?

As of her March 23, 2026 return, Huntsman is serving as a guest host during Alyssa Farah Griffin's maternity leave. There has been no official announcement regarding a permanent return to the show. However, her high-profile comeback has inevitably sparked speculation about a longer-term role.

Conclusion: A Return That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

Abby Huntsman's return to The View on March 23, 2026 is more than a daytime television footnote — it's a genuinely compelling story about second acts, shifting perspectives, and the complicated relationship between public figures and the institutions that shape them. She left condemning the show. Now she's back, sitting at the same table, engaging in the same political debates, and generating the same kind of headlines that made her a recognizable face in the first place.

Whether this guest hosting stint is a one-time arrangement or the beginning of a longer return to television prominence remains to be seen. What's clear is that Huntsman feels called back to public life by the current political moment — and that The View, for all the criticism she once leveled at it, remains one of the most powerful platforms in American daytime media for anyone who wants to have that conversation.