Bari Weiss Rails Against Cancel Culture on ‘The View’: “Wrong and Deeply Un-American”

If Bari Weiss is appearing on The View, you know there’s only one topic being discussed: cancel culture. On Tuesday morning, the former New York Times opinion editor stopped by the top-rated ABC talk show, where she was given free rein to opine about the dangers of our current moment. Weiss insisted that cancel culture (or “consequence culture,” as Sunny Hostin calls it) is “wrong and deeply un-American,” as it leads to people being “destroyed” because of a mistake. She’s back, folks!

The View‘s Hot Topics discussion was ostensibly tied to Sarah Silverman’s recent podcast episode about cancel culture, but the co-hosts barely bothered to address the comedian’s remarks as they sounded off on the issue. Moderator Whoopi Goldberg gave Weiss the floor first, as the outspoken contrarian is especially passionate about the topic. “I believe in giving people second chances,” said Weiss. “I believe that no one should be hung or have their reputation destroyed or los their job because of a mistake or liking a bad tweet.”

Weiss went on to cite the story of San Diego Gas and Electric employee Emmanuel Cafferty, who was fired after a stranger posted a photo of him on Twitter and accused him of making a white power sign with his hand (Cafferty denies allegations of racism and claims that he was just cracking his knuckles outside the window). “When we talk about cancel culture, people think about celebrities that have gotten in trouble, people that are famous, people that, frankly, have a financial net if they lose their job,” said Weiss, arguing that people like Cafferty are the real victims of cancel culture. “He is Hispanic. His family is from Mexico. But it didn’t matter … This is a working class guy. He was playing with his fingers. He had no idea what he was doing.”

“These are the kinds of stories that we’re talking about when we talk about cancel culture,” she continued. “I find it ironic that progressives, as Sarah Silverman wisely put it in that clip — the kind of people who talk about giving criminals, giving murderers a second chance … that they also feel that someone should have their social reputation destroyed because of a mistake like that.”

With Meghan McCain still out on maternity leave, it was up to Sara Haines to side with Weiss. “The consequence should fit the crime,” said the co-host. “We put everyone in the same bucket — there’s a pariah scarlet letter on them … There’s this unforgiving culture right now that’s become acceptable. It’s a mob mentality.”

Never one to back down, Sunny Hostin took aim at Weiss’ demonization of accountability. “I have an issue with the term ‘cancel culture,'” she said. “For far too long, we’ve let people get away with really bad behavior, and now deemed it that they’re being ‘canceled’ because of that behavior rather than being held accountable.”

“I think it’s high time that many people that behave badly, behave poorly, behave in racist manners be held accountable for it. Because there should be consequences to behavior.”

Finally, some life on The View! With Chelsea Handler slated to appear tomorrow, maybe Bari Weiss should stay through the week.

Watch Bari Weiss rail against cancel culture in the clip above.

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