The View Panel Clashes with Savannah Chrisley After She Insists Trump Isn’t Racist

Savannah Chrisley’s defense of President Donald Trump sparked a heated exchange with The View panel during the Thursday, Feb. 19 episode.

As the reality star, 28, nears the end of her week as a guest co-host while Alyssa Farah Griffin is out on maternity leave, the panel discussed the president’s recent actions related to DEI initiatives. The conversation included a judge’s order to restore a slavery exhibit that had been removed from the President’s House at Independence National Historical Park.

“It is Black History Month, and you know who is being accused of sending mixed messages on the issue,” Whoopi Goldberg said before a clip played showing Trump speaking about his relationship with the Black community.

In the video, Trump, 79, mentioned the late civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson, saying he knew him well and describing him as “a piece of work.” He also praised rapper Nicki Minaj for supporting his administration, commenting on her appearance.

Chrisley — whose parents Todd and Julie Chrisley were pardoned by Trump in May after convictions the year prior — said she understands concerns about Trump’s “rants,” but added that she struggles with people calling him racist based on what she says she has seen personally.

TRUMP HOSTS BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION: Just weeks after backlash over a racist post, the president praised Nicki Minaj and Jesse Jackson at his Black History Month reception — 'The View' co-hosts and Savannah Chrisley react. pic.twitter.com/S2clvgWNg0

— The View (@TheView) February 19, 2026

“He is a racist,” Sunny Hostin interjected as Chrisley continued, saying Trump had helped someone close to her, a Black woman who had worked with him for 18 years.

Hostin pushed back, saying that having a Black friend does not negate racist behavior. Goldberg added that many people see Trump as conflating Black people with his concept of DEI, pointing to executive actions targeting DEI programs early in his term and referencing an order connected to the national historical park.

National Park Service staff were seen removing dozens of panels and video displays about slavery in January, including exhibits titled “Life Under Slavery” and “The Dirty Business of Slavery.” On Feb. 16, a judge reversed the decision, writing that the removal was unlawful, “arbitrary and capricious,” and caused “irreparable harm” by erasing historical truth and undermining public trust.

Goldberg then cited other examples she viewed as evidence of racism associated with Trump and his administration, including reposting racist content about former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, and his past advocacy for the death penalty in the Central Park Five case despite their exoneration.

The post Goldberg referenced appeared earlier this month on Trump’s Truth Social account. It promoted election conspiracy claims and ended with a racist depiction of the Obamas as primates. Lawmakers criticized the imagery as reinforcing a longstanding racist trope used historically to dehumanize Black people.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump at the time, saying the content came from an internet meme video that cast Trump as a “King of the Jungle” figure and Democrats as characters from The Lion King. She urged critics to stop what she called “fake outrage.”

The White House later deleted the post and said it was shared in error by a staff member. On Feb. 7, Trump told reporters he did not believe posting it was a mistake and said he would not apologize, describing it as a strong message about voter fraud.

Hostin reiterated her stance, arguing the post was racist and criticizing the administration’s attempt to attribute it to staff. Chrisley maintained it was posted by a staffer, prompting Hostin to reference prior remarks from Leavitt indicating that posts on Truth Social reflect Trump directly.

Chrisley also pointed to what she described as a major achievement for historically Black colleges and universities during the Trump administration. Hostin countered that the funding she referenced began before Trump took office.

Chrisley ultimately said she agreed the White House mishandled the posting of the video, adding that the administration has a responsibility to protect minority groups. She also said the controversy has created divisions among people who supported Trump.