Sara Haines Jabs Former Host Meghan McCain on 'The View' For Fauci Comments

"The View" host Sara Haines took a shot at former host Meghan McCain during Tuesday's episode for her criticism of former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I remember someone here getting so mad about Dr. Fauci and I felt like it happened overnight," Haines said.

The statement seemed to confuse host Joy Behar, but Haines did not say McCain's name, instead choosing to reiterate that it was "someone" who worked on the show.

The hosts talked about Fauci's appearance in front of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday. Fauci faced fierce questioning from Republicans over his COVID-19 rules.

McCain was a vocal critic of Fauci during her time on "The View." She once called out Fauci for saying he was not comfortable with his celebrity status during the pandemic, yet he appeared in Instyle and People magazines.

"I'm sorry, but if he just wanted to be a scientist part of the criticism of him going forward is that he clearly wanted to be a Kardashian as well," McCain said previously on the show. "I have a much different take on Dr. Fauci. It's been one of the more controversial things of the past year I've done on this show."

McCain left "The View" in 2021 to stay in the Washington, D.C. area and raise her daughter. She joined the show in 2017.

People on X were quick to pick up on the jab from Haines, with one user shouting out Haines for "calling out" McCain "for spreading lies and misinformation about Dr. Fauci."

Haines also condemned people who are making up theories about Fauci's COVID-19 policies.

"When you hear a crazy theory, sometimes you have to stop and ask yourself, 'what would be the reason?' There is no reason Dr. Fauci would have any reason, he has not had monetary gain from the pharmaceutical companies. There's no reason he would wish that on anyone," Haines said.

Host Alyssa Farah Griffin criticized Republicans who have spread misinformation about Fauci.

"Dr. Fauci is my friend. It was my honor to serve with him. I talked to him yesterday," Griffin said. "To the folks on the right who decided to make him this enemy number one, he did not have an ability to execute policy. He advised Donald Trump. If you have a problem with the COVID guidelines, like the social distancing, your issue is with your leader Donald Trump."

Behar also defended Fauci's COVID-19 response.

"Science evolves. What you know on Monday can change on Thursday," Behar said. "This was an evolving disease."