ABC preempts The View for Trump's UN address, sparking backlash

ABC preempted The View on Tuesday to carry President Donald Trump’s remarks at the United Nations General Assembly and an ABC News special report, interrupting a highly anticipated interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. The interruption occurred as Harris discussed her forthcoming book 107 Days, which chronicles her 2024 presidential campaign. The network returned to The View just minutes later, and the show said the full episode would be available on ABC.com after 5 p.m. ET and on Hulu.

Social media quickly lit up with criticism from viewers who said the broadcast cut away from Harris’ interview to carry Trump’s UN address, with posts urging ABC to stop giving him airtime and noting that Trump spoke live on multiple services while The View aired. Some viewers argued that the preemption was timed to minimize airtage for Harris or to favor broader coverage of the president, while others urged networks to prioritize daytime programming when a major political figure is the guest. The backlash reflected ongoing tensions over how networks allocate live coverage during high-profile political events.

During the portion of the show that aired, Harris offered reflections on the 2024 campaign and previewed her forthcoming book. ABC reiterated that the remainder of the Harris interview would be available later on ABC.com after 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT and also on Hulu, enabling viewers who missed the live moment to catch up.

The preemption comes amid a broader pattern of live political coverage affecting entertainment and daytime programming. Earlier this month, ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the schedule after Kimmel made a controversial remark about Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally. That decision prompted further questions about airtime for political commentary, and Sinclair Broadcast Group indicated it would continue preempting the late-night program in its markets. Kimmel’s return was slated for Sept. 23, but affiliates affiliated with Sinclair have maintained ongoing preemption in some areas.

The View airs on weekdays at 11 a.m. local time (11/10c on the East and West coasts) and is produced by ABC News. The program’s decision to air live political content alongside daytime conversations underscores the competition for audience attention during moments when national and international events unfold, and it highlights the challenges networks face in balancing entertainment programming with immediate political developments. Viewers will continue to watch how such scheduling choices influence public engagement and perception as the political calendar evolves.

As the 2025 landscape continues to unfold, broadcasters, readers, and viewers will likely parse these decisions for their effect on political messaging and accessibility, noting that major events often prompt rapid changes in programming across outlets. ABC’s handling of Tuesday’s preemption will be one data point in a broader discussion about airtime, public discourse, and the responsibilities of networks to provide access to both news and conversation in a timely manner.