During a recent episode of “The View,” co-host Joy Behar sparked a lively discussion by suggesting that if viewed through a contemporary lens, Christianity’s central figure might be labeled a narcissist. This assertion came during Tuesday’s broadcast, as Behar, 83, challenged a comment from fellow host Sara Haines.
The exchange began when Haines corrected Behar’s claim that Jesus Christ did not go around proclaiming himself as the Messiah while gathering his disciples. Behar’s statement seemed to raise eyebrows among the panelists, prompting Haines to interject, “That’s exactly what Jesus said!”
The conversation quickly turned humorous, with the hosts sharing a round of laughter amid Behar’s resistance to Haines’ correction. The discussion was part of a broader commentary on a since-deleted AI-generated image that depicted former President Donald Trump as the Prince of Peace.
Behar stood firm, countering, “No, he did not,” and added, “Jesus was not narcissistic like this guy,” drawing a clear distinction between the biblical figure and the former president. The debate highlighted the show’s characteristic blend of humor and spirited discourse.
A round of laughs followed, as well as some opposition from Behar. The panel was discussing Donald Trump’s since-deleted AI art image that appeared to depict him as the Prince of Peace.
‘No, he did not,’ Behar insisted. ‘Jesus was not narcissistic like this guy.’
Haines argued that ‘when you are the Messiah, it’s not narcissism to say it!’
‘Yes, it is,’ Behar maintained – leaving the table temporarily stunned.
Joy Behar, while pushing back on a correction from co-host Sara Haines on Tuesday’s The View, appeared to suggest Jesus Christ would be considered a narcissist by modern standards
Haines took issue with Behar’s swearing that Jesus Christ did not ‘run around saying, “I’m the Messiah, I’m the Messiah”‘ when he was amassing apostles in the first century. The panel had been discussing Donald Trump’s since-deleted, Christ-like AI image
‘When you are the Messiah!?’ an incredulous Haines asked.
Moderator Whoopi Goldberg quickly sought to seize control.
‘I’m going to move this along, because this is like, too much for me,’ she said while shaking her head.
Trump spawned an avalanche of anger a little over a day before with a late-night Truth Social tirade that included the post in question – an AI-imagining of Trump cloaked in a divine light, healing a stricken man, as orbs of light emanate from his hands.
Goldberg noted how the post was ‘finally’ deleted Monday morning to start the episode.
The hosts also tackled Trump’s later claim that the post had been meant to portray him as ‘a doctor’. Members of the audience were heard laughing as producers played a clip of Trump making the excuse to reporters on Monday.
‘He seems to really believe American people are so stupid that they would believe, you know, light is emanating from a doctor’s hands,’ Behar said, after Goldberg made clear that she was among those unconvinced.
‘I’m going to move this along, because this is like, too much for me,’ moderator Whoopi Goldberg said, shaking her head
The hosts all shared a chuckle at Behar’s expense, after poking fun at the President
Alyssa Farah Griffin – a Republican who served as Trump’s communications director during his first term – pointed out how the garb on the AI Trump in the image appeared Christ-like.
‘I’m married to a doctor, and I usually don’t see that outfit,’ Sunny Hostin joked.
The Daily Mail has approached ABC for comment.
The hosts also played a series of clips to show how roughly the post was received.
Megyn Kelly, for one, framed the the AI artwork as ‘blasphemous’.
CNN stars Dana Bash and Kaitlan Collins were among the journalists to quickly rebuff Trump’s ‘doctor’ claim.
Republican Senator John Curtis, of Utah, told reporters of the image Monday after it was deleted: ‘I found it offensive. As a Christian myself, I was offended by it. I think any religion should be offended by it.
‘I would have been equally offended if he had made fun of Muhammad or any other religious leader, and I’m glad he took it down.
Trump sparked a huge backlash after sharing this AI-generated image that showed him as a Christ-like figure
‘I’m sorry he posted it,’ Curtis said.
Republicans in Congress were among those to criticize the conservative as well.
Georgia Representative Austin Scott invoked scripture in a Tuesday tweet that said, ‘posting a picture portraying yourself as Jesus is not okay.’ He said the same about an Easter post from the President that promised to annihilate Iran’s entire ‘civilization.’
Catholics are also slamming Trump for the Sunday Truth Social post as well, which itself was an escalation of Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo, 70, has made several general appeals for peace since the conflict in Iran started on February 28.
Trump responded by calling the religious leader too ‘weak on crime’ and a ‘liberal.’
He has refused to apologize.
Pope Leo – the first US-born pontiff – responded to Trump’s remarks during the first day of his trip to Africa on Monday, telling reporters he had ‘no fear of the Trump administration’.
‘I will continue to speak out strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems,’ he said.
American Bishop Robert Barron – who spoke at a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden at the White House last May – called on Trump to apologize to the Pope on Monday as well.
Trump still refused on Monday, saying he stood by his assessment.
