Meghan McCain opens up about being fat-shamed by Laura Ingraham: 'I was too plus-sized to be on TV'
“The View” co-host Meghan McCain opened up about being fat-shamed by conservative host Laura Ingraham and others on Monday’s show.
McCain said, “If I weren’t fat-shamed, I wouldn’t have a career. Laura Ingraham said I was ‘too plus-sized to to be on TV.’” She added, “It sparked so much outrage because people don’t like it when you talk about women’s weight.”
She also revealed she’s fat-shamed daily. “Every day somebody on Twitter is like, ‘You’re too fat to be on The View, blah blah blah. It’s so cruel,” said McCain.
McCain’s comments came as the panel addressed a recent monologue by comedian and host Bill Maher where he defended fat-shaming. “Fat-shaming doesn’t need to end — it needs to make a comeback,” Maher said. “Some amount of shame is good.” He added, “We shame people out of smoking and into wearing seatbelts. We shame them out of littering and most of them out of racism. Shame is the first step in reform. It’s what goads people into saying, ‘Maybe I can do better.’
Backlash to Maher’s position was swift, and drew an on-air condemnation from late night host James Corden. Corden responded and said, in part, “While you’re encouraging people to think about what goes into their mouths, think a little harder about what comes out of yours.”
“If making fun of fat people made them lose weight, there’d be no fat kids in schools.” — @JKCorden responds to @billmaher's call for the return of fat shaming. pic.twitter.com/asXmlNEx4L
— The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) September 13, 2019
Moderator Whoopi Goldberg also slammed Maher for his comments, saying, “You don’t know who’s suffering. You don’t know why someone is the way that they are. Rather than shame them, if you really want to try to find a way to help, go up and say ‘hi’ and maybe have a conversation before you get to the shaming part.”
Viewers on Twitter were split over Maher’s comments, but many sided with McCain and “The View” panel:
@TheView really appreciate your show today and the discussion topic on fat shaming. As a person who has always struggled with my weight, I can tell you those who empower and encourage me in an empathetic way do far more to help me battle my obesity than those who fat shame me!
— Joe Segura (@gatograndekc) September 16, 2019
@MeghanMcCain I think you are inspiration. You are not to big to be on the View. You are one of the most beautiful women on TV.
— Gena Hanney (@genahanney) September 16, 2019
Others said they didn’t agree with the backlash and that Maher may have a valid point:
No one holds us down and force feed us, we CHOOSE what we eat. ‘Fat shaming’ is not the answer but we need to be accountable for our actions and stop blaming... I have worked very heard yo stay healthy and fit. My overweight friends don’t exercise and eat out quite a bit!!!
— Rosie Ann Riley (@RosieAnnRiley1) September 16, 2019
@MeghanMcCain @JKCorden, I doubt whether @billmaher is referring to your body types. You guys don't look unhealthy. He is obviously talking about much bigger people than you two and in that case I AGREE! You saw his examples. #fatshaming should make a comeback. #TheView
— Connor Meyer (@ImUnderherfeet) September 16, 2019
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