Inside The View star Sunny Hostin's most BRUTAL on-screen clashes - from political spats with Alyssa Farah Griffin and Ana Navarro to VERY controversial debates about IVF

The View has become known for its fiery on-screen debates that see its stars clashing over a wide variety of topics - from sex and celebrity drama to women's rights and politics. But one host in particular stands out as being one of the most ferocious when it comes to an on-screen battle: Sunny Hostin. 

The 55-year-old author, who revealed in 2023 that she is sent death threats by trolls, loves to have her say on the panel and due to her career as a lawyer, she's also the host who reads out the legal notes at the end of a political segment.

As well as being open about her tough childhood growing up in The Bronx, Sunny is also very vocal about her fertility struggles, her commitment to the Catholic church, and her stance on abortion.

However, sometimes her outspoken views are not received so well and last year, some viewers of the ABC show vowed to boycott the program unless Sunny was axed - with one person branding her 'rude' and annoying.

The View host Sunny Hostin is never one to shy away from a healthy debate on the ABC show

Sunny pictured with her co-hosts Ana Navarro, Sara Haines, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Alyssa Farah Griffin

The 55-year-old lawyer has been a permanent host on the program since September 2016

The mother-of-two has been a permanent host on The View since September 2016, but had been making appearances as a guest contributor since 2014.

She began her television career as a commentator for Court TV and began using the stage name Sunny Hostin after host Nancy Grace was unable to pronounce her family name Asunción.

Sunny was then offered a spot on the Fox News program The O'Reilly Factor, where she appeared on the show's Is It Legal? segments, and enjoyed regular debates with Bill O'Reilly and Megyn Kelly.

CNN President Jon Klein signed her to the network in September 2007 as the legal analyst for its flagship morning show American Morning, and she also served as a senior legal correspondent and analyst for ABC News in early 2016, before moving over to The View.

Here, DailyMail.com has laid bare some of the most recent dramas involving Sunny and her co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Ana Navarro, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Sara Haines.

Sunny embroiled in bitter on-air battle with Sara over Alabama Supreme Court's frozen embryo ruling

Most recently, a Hot Topic debate got very heated between mothers Sunny and Sara, 46, on February 20 as the panel discussed Alabama's Supreme Court's ruling that frozen embryos are children.

Sunny, who conceived her two children using IVF, admitted that she fully supports the court's landmark decision, and argued that an embryo is an 'unborn child' and claimed it is 'certainly more than just an egg and a sperm separated'.

However, mother-of-three Sara completely disagreed and argued 'if you put a little embryo out into the world, it's not viable on any level' - and also suggested that the courts should 'go after IVF as the rich person's abortion'.

The ruling in question came about from a lawsuit which was brought by a group of IVF patients whose frozen embryos were destroyed in December 2020 when a patient removed them from a cryogenic storage unit and accidentally dropped them on the ground.

Alabama's Supreme Court has now ruled that the patient who mistakenly destroyed the embryos can be sued under the state constitution's wrongful death of a minor act, which Sara fumed was a 'stretch'. 

Sharing her own personal experience, Sunny explained: 'As you all know, I went through five miscarriages before we turned to IVF. We went through three cycles of IVF I have two beautiful children as a result of it.

'We depleted our entire life savings. Each cycle was not covered at the time, it's $30,000 and it was important enough for us. Now, we did do frozen embryos, but because we are Catholic, we knew that we couldn't destroy the embryos because they are, in our view, children.'

Sunny continued: 'And we couldn't just give them up for research because in our view they were children, and so I feel responsible in the sense that we used every single embryo and if every single embryo became a child then we were going to take care of that child, and we don't have any frozen embryos left, thank God, because I would probably have an extra baby.'

The View's Sara Haines and Sunny clashed on February 20 as they discussed the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that frozen embryos are children

Mother-of-three Sara became very passionate live on air as she shared her point of view

When Whoopi, 68, asked Sunny if it was 'because of her religious beliefs', Sunny replied: 'My religious beliefs are that conception is the start of human life. 

'However, when you look at an embryo, that certainly is more than just an egg and a sperm separated.

'They wait several days. Ideal transfer is five days. You're transferring a human embryo that is going to attach in your uterine lining and become a child,' she explained, before adding that her opinion is 'partly based on her religious beliefs and partly based on science as well'.

Sara then decided to have her say and announced: 'But if you put that little embryo out into the world, it's not viable on any level. So I'm not criticizing your personal beliefs because I do believe people believe that, but I believe this is a stretch to call this a "minor".'

When Sunny interjected and referred to the embryo as an 'unborn child', Sara fired back: 'Well, see that's where I differ because the whole miracle of life and religious argument for the very brilliance of science, just doesn't go together. 

'Yes embryos, yes fertilization, all of this stuff can happen naturally, it doesn't here. This great gratitude goes to the scientists and doctors who are able to help do this. 

'Because in the court the judge actually said in his opinion, "Human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of the holy God." Okay then, well let's leave it up to holy God on judgement day and not the holy court!' Sara fumed.

'They're going after it with religion while science is what brought this here,' the blond TV host added, before she confidently declared: 'I am not pro life!'

Sara and Sunny butt heads during a heated gun control debate in the wake of Maine shooting horror 

In October 2023, Sara and Sunny didn't see eye-to-eye yet again when they clashed during a timely conversation following a shooting in Maine on October 25.

Referring to gunman Robert Card, who slaughtered 18 people using an AR-15-style rifle in Maine, Sara said she would 'love to see an assault weapons ban' before stating that people with mental health issues should not own guns.

'There's no actionable steps to fix the epidemic in this country on mental health, but we can keep guns out of their hands,' the blond argued, leading Sunny to express her concerns about 'stigmatizing people with mental health'.

Sara fumed: 'This shooter had been flagged to the law enforcement by his family, he had been institutionalized for telling people he was gonna go shoot at a reserve base. When someone tells you what they're going to do, believe them!

'Every mass shooter we've had has left steps along the way. I believe in red flag laws and most of the country does. We believe in background checks. But it was designed by a pro-gun organization and the yellow flag law insists you see a doctor.

'That creates a bigger impediment to actually getting someone flagged, whereas 80 per cent of voters approve the police taking the power of that weapon temporarily.'

Some viewers have even accused Sara of 'bullying' her co-host Sunny in the past 

Sunny previously butted heads with Sara as they discussed people with mental health issues being able to buy and own guns

Speaking calmly, Sunny replied: 'To respond to you, Sara... I hear what you're saying and there were signs that this guy should not have had a gun, just like I believe people who are domestic violence offenders should not have guns...

'But I'm kind of worried about stigmatizing people with mental health because when you look at the statistics, people that suffer from mental health are much more likely to be the victim of a violent crime, rather than the opposite...'

Unable to contain her frustrations, Sara interjected: 'I'm not going to jump on you... I know this answer though. I have mental illness problems, I have anxiety problems, I have depression problems.

'I'm not saying everyone that's ever gone to a therapist or on medication... he was hearing voices that were telling him what to do, I think everyone in this room can agree that's a mental problem.

After Alyssa, 34, stated that Card has schizophrenia, Sunny added: 'But not every schizophrenic is violent,' as Sara butted in: 'This schizophrenic told people he was gonna go shoot up a base, so he told us!'

'That's different, Sunny responded as Sara clapped back: 'And it's important to notice those details.'

Keen to calm the tension, moderator Joy, 81, shut it down and said: 'We gotta go, sorry,' and as the show cut to a commercial break, Sunny was heard saying: 'I don't like the mental health angle all the time.'

Political strategist Ana accuses Sunny of 'SLUT-shaming' during FURIOUS on-screen row 

In September last year, Ana and Sunny became embroiled in a fiery debate when they clashed over the topic of cheating husbands in a furious on-screen row that moderator Joy slammed as 'pandemonium'.

Joy was forced to step in and take the show to a commercial break, after the two women started shouting over one another.

Ana, 52, was not impressed with Sunny after she made her thoughts known about a woman who had a 15-year affair with a married man, branding her a 'marriage wrecker' and an 'adulteress'.

The political strategist claimed that Sunny 'always goes after the woman and never the man' when they have conversations about adultery, and even accused the curly-haired TV host of 'slut-shaming'.

A seemingly frustrated Ana pointed out that Sunny was 'lucky' to be in a 'good marriage' but reminded her that not everyone is in the same position and may not have the option to leave.

It was Joy who kicked off the topic of conversation by reading out a letter that was sent to The Washington Post's advice page.

'[She was] asking for advice on this particular thing. She says that she had a 15-year affair with a married man,' Joy began, as Sunny audibly gasped.

'No judging,' Joy reminded her as Sunny fired back: 'I'm judging, I'm judging,' while the rest of the panel stayed silent.

The View's Ana Navarro and Sunny became embroiled in a fiery debate in September 2023

Ana accused Sunny of 'always' going after the woman and 'never the man' whenever they discuss adultery on the show

During one chat, Sunny branded the woman in question a 'marriage wrecker' and an 'adulteress'

Joy continued: 'He then divorced his wife, I guess the word "homewrecker" is passé...' as Sunny blurted out: 'Marriage wrecker. Cheater. Adulteress.'

The redhead reminded her: 'Nobody's completely innocent when it comes to marriage and adultery, let's face facts here.'

Explaining the woman's dilemma, Joy continued: 'So, she had a 15-year affair with him, with a married guy. He then divorced his wife. He and the mistress had four more years together as a divorced man and then he died.

'Now, his ex-wife is demanding that the mistress not come to the funeral. The mistress is asking whether she should respect the ex-wife's wishes or whether she should go,' Joy added, opening up the debate.

Sunny quickly piped up and fumed: 'She obviously hasn't respected the ex-wife's wishes for 15 freaking years, so she doesn't give a crap about how that ex-wife feels so you need to keep your butt home!'

This clearly riled Ana as she quickly responded: 'Why do you always go after the woman and never the [man]?'

'Because he's dead!' Joy shouted out as Sunny repeated the same comment, but Ana was having none of it and shouted back: 'The one who cheated on his marital vows was the man! And we always slut-shame the woman and let the man get off scot-free!'

Sunny clashes with former White House aide Alyssa and accuses her of 'throwing away' her vote

Alyssa and Sunny got into a bitter war of words back in July 2023 when they butted heads over their political opinions while discussing the next presidential election. 

During the segment, Alyssa - who served as the White House Director of Strategic Communication during Donald Trump's presidency - candidly admitted that she doesn't plan to vote for her former boss in the upcoming election - before stating that she also has no plans to support Joe Biden. 

Her confession prompted Sunny to accuse her of 'throwing away' her vote - an allegation that left Alyssa looking visibly annoyed, and saw fellow View panelist Sara leap to her defense.

The bitter debate between the women was prompted by a comment made by Joy, who questioned why any American would support Trump, raging: 'What is wrong with Americans? I don't understand it!

'Why are Americans supporting this guy? Tell me the reason!'

Alyssa chimed in to agree with her co-host, branding the country's 'primary system' as 'flawed', before calling a prospective election between Trump and Biden 'the rematch from hell'.

'Our primary system is very flawed,' she stated. 'Seven in ten don't want Joe Biden to get in. Why are we doing the rematch from hell that nobody wants?

'Will Hurd said this very well... the only way to defeat Donald Trump is in a primary. Like DeSantis, when does he think he's going to step in and have his moment?'

Sunny and former White House aide Alyssa got into a bitter war of words back in July 2023

Alyssa admitted that she wouldn't be voting for Donald Trump nor Joe Biden in the election

Sunny accused her co-host of 'throwing away' her vote but Alyssa disagreed with her

Sunny piped up and referred back to Joy's comment and said: 'But I think back to her question, outside of the primary system, why are so many people still endorsing him or supporting [Trump]?'

Alyssa, who is a Republican, then admitted: 'I could never support Donald Trump again. That's not even a question to me but I probably won't support Joe Biden.'

Joy was keen to hear why she wouldn't endorse Biden, and Alyssa was more than happy to elaborate on her comment.

'He doesn't reflect my beliefs. I feel differently on national security, on life issues, on the economy,' she said.

'I said it before. The answer might be different if I lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in a swing district where my vote could be a difference. That would be a different scenario.

'I'm voting in Manhattan. I'll write in someone, I'll likely write in Will Hurd. I could vote for Tim Scott or Nikki Haley.'

But Joy declared it an 'invalid vote' and questioned why Alyssa would even bother voting, to which she replied: 'I'm not going to be boxed into, what I think is, a failing two-party system where we're not putting up our best candidates.'

Sunny then accused: 'I think I agree with Ana, I would never throw away...' but Alyssa quickly butted in and argued: 'It's not throwing away!'

The outspoken lawyer continued: '...my Presidential vote when my people fought so hard for the right to it,' but Alyssa insisted: 'It's not throwing away, I'm casting my vote! I would never not vote!'

Sunny filibusters Alyssa during another political debate and forces Whoopi to call for a break

Less than two months before their war of words over the Presidential vote, tensions flared between Sunny and Alyssa on June 7 - and Whoopi was forced to call for a commercial break after it erupted into a five-way dispute.

The segment had kicked off with a discussion about Mike Pence and Chris Christie declaring their bids to seek the Republican presidential nomination for 2024.

Alyssa said that Christie seemed to be on a 'kamikaze mission' to take down Trump rather than win the nomination for himself.

She praised Christie, the former New Jersey governor, saying that his campaign could help rescue the GOP from the influence of Trump, but Sunny fired back, calling Christie 'spineless' and 'soulless' and argued that he was only running because 'he wants power'. 

'How does he get power though entering the race knowing he can't win?' asked Alyssa, who previously worked for Pence and Trump in the White House.

That's when things turned personal, and Sunny accused her younger co-host of being 'incapable of defending a man you worked for', a reference to Alyssa's earlier statement that she wanted to hear Pence's kick-off speech before remarking on his campaign.

'You said you needed to hear more from Pence, and I don't need to hear more, for several reasons,' Sunny continued.

Tensions flared between Sunny and Alyssa in June 2023 as the co-hosts discussed Chris Christie and Mike Pence

The segment devolved into chaos until Whoopi called for a commercial break, declaring, 'Let's have this break and let's figure out how we're going to make this work'

Alyssa interjected and said: 'You just accused me of something so why don't you let me answer,' but Sunny refused and told her: 'I'm going to finish what I'm going to say.' 

She went on to list her many grievances against Pence, appearing to read off her notes, leading Alyssa to blurt out: 'Sunny likes to make it personal with me! Are you gonna give me a chance to answer?' 

But Sunny continued her Pence-trashing filibuster, to which Alyssa replied: 'This is absurd! This is not what the show is about. This is Barbara Walter's legacy. Let a woman speak!'

The segment devolved into chaos until Whoopi called for a commercial break and declared: 'I can't hear anybody saying anything…Maybe we need to figure out how we do this again! Let's have this break and let's figure out how we're going to make this work!'