Elisabeth Hasselbeck returns to The View as guest co-host starting

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is making her controversial return to The View next week, stepping in as guest co-host for a full five-day run beginning Monday, March 3, 2026.

The former Survivor star, who last sat at the Hot Topics table from 2003 to 2013, will fill in for Alyssa Farah Griffin during her maternity leave. The announcement, made by The View on February 27, has sparked immediate and polarized reactions from fans.

"I've been trying to prep for The View, so my main research is right there. That's the armor!" Hasselbeck said in her Instagram story.

Fan reactions have been sharply divided since the announcement. While some viewers expressed plans to skip next week's episodes entirely, others welcomed the news. Joy Behar, who famously clashed with Hasselbeck during her original tenure, offered a measured response, simply telling reporters: "She's a good kid."

Executive producer Brian Teta confirmed the announcement generated more reaction than most guest co-host reveals.

Hasselbeck's original run on The View was marked by passionate conservative takes that frequently clashed with her co-hosts. Her most famous feud was with Rosie O'Donnell in 2007, a conflict so contentious that O'Donnell left the show. In 2025, O'Donnell resurfaced the rift in a podcast interview, calling the incident a "setup." Hasselbeck responded with tearful Instagram videos, urging O'Donnell to "stop the madness."

During her absence from the show, Hasselbeck has continued commenting on politics and culture. She recently defended Carrie Underwood after Joy Behar criticized the singer's Trump inauguration performance and has publicly called The View "sinking."

Hasselbeck will join regular co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and Ana Navarro for the full week, airing weekdays at 11:00 AM ET on ABC