Feb. 18, 2026, 8:39 p.m. ET
Savannah Chrisley faced criticism from “The View” hosts during her guest hosting week on the program, stemming from an unfounded assertion she made that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was the Democratic Party’s preferred presidential candidate for the upcoming election.
The main discussion point on the Wednesday, February 18 episode of the ABC political talk series centered on the New York congresswoman’s response when asked about her support for potential U.S. involvement in a conflict between Taiwan and China.
At the Munich Security Conference on Friday, February 13, Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC, commented, “Our hope is that we can ensure we never reach that point, and we are striving to align all our economic research and global stances to avert any such confrontation.”
The ongoing dispute in Asia revolves around China’s belief that Taiwan is a rogue province rightfully belonging to Beijing, a claim Taiwan disputes, asserting its identity as a sovereign, democratic society.
On December 29, China deployed troops, warships, fighter jets, and artillery in drills encircling the island, practicing strikes on both land and sea targets and simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s primary ports.
AOC’s comments drew scrutiny from Republican politicians and members of the party, including President Donald Trump, who informed reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, February 16, that “she appeared clueless on how to respond.”
Chrisley Alleges AOC Is Democrats’ Preferred Presidential Candidate for 2028
On “The View,” host Joy Behar advised those criticizing AOC’s statements to also consider Trump’s own televised blunders before “you begin criticizing AOC.”
“Mispronouncing a word is entirely different from being ignorant of your stance on Taiwan. What truly matters is one’s ability to recover from an error. Trump has made mistakes, yet he carried on with his speeches and continued to meet with world leaders. So, the recovery is what’s critical, and AOC simply didn’t manage a recovery,” Chrisley asserted.
Moderator Whoopi Goldberg added that she is more lenient towards congressmembers who fumble a question on geopolitics than towards misstatements by the leader of the free world. Chrisley replied, “I completely comprehend that. However, AOC is also the Democratic Party’s chosen candidate for the upcoming election.”
Without hesitation, the panel dismissed the assertion as false, with Goldberg repeatedly exclaiming “No, no, no!” and Behar humorously adding, “You better tell that to (California Gov.) Gavin Newsom!”
AOC Rejects Presidential Campaign Speculation
AOC has not indicated any desire to pursue the presidency of the United States. At the Munich Security Conference, she informed the New York Times that “my attendance was not due to a presidential candidacy, nor any decision about future electoral contests,” but rather to “warn others” about “uncontrolled inequality that drives far-right populist movements.”
ABC confirmed that the former star of “Chrisley Knows Best” is temporarily filling in for cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is on maternity leave from February 17-20.
Goldberg announced on “The View” the next morning that Griffin welcomed her first child with husband Justin Griffin on February 10. ABC had previously stated that multiple guest hosts would substitute for Griffin in the interim.
Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro are also among “The View”‘s hosts.
Additional reporting by Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY