Harris Faulkner’s Explosive Triumph: How She Outshone The View, Survived an On-Air Ambush, and Redefined Daytime TV with Grit and Grace

In a stunning turn of events, Fox News’ Harris Faulkner has emerged as daytime television’s unexpected champion, toppling ABC’s The View in a ratings coup that’s left jaws on the floor. On April 2, 2025, the 59-year-old anchor’s show, The Faulkner Focus, clocked 2.552 million viewers in January, edging out The View’s 2.508 million—a first in their heated rivalry. But the real bombshell? Faulkner’s fearless revelation of a 2018 on-air clash where she claims The View’s Sunny Hostin “targeted” her live, turning a book promo into a racial showdown. This isn’t just a win; it’s a masterclass in resilience that’s rewriting the rules of TV stardom.

Faulkner didn’t hold back in a recent Daily Mail interview, painting The View as a chaotic relic of its Barbara Walters glory days. “Shout it, cuss it, do whatever you gotta do for attention,” she quipped, slamming their “vitriol” and singling out Hostin’s “dicey” remarks that she says forced legal apologies. The drama peaked in 2018 when Faulkner, promoting her book, faced Hostin’s pointed jab about her responsibility to the Black community—complete with a photo of Faulkner’s biracial daughters, Bella and Danika, splashed onscreen. “Sunny came after me,” Faulkner recalled, her kids watching as Hostin veered into race. Whoopi Goldberg’s quick pivot saved the day, but the sting lingered.

This isn’t just personal—it’s professional warfare. The Faulkner Focus, live and unfiltered, thrives on diverse voices, a stark contrast to what Faulkner calls The View’s “myopic” left-leaning shouting matches. Her formula? Respectful debate over pre-taped pandemonium. January’s ratings prove viewers crave it, handing her a 40,000-viewer lead over The View’s fading dominance. “Fox News’ superpower is we’re live,” she boasted, a dig at her rival’s taped safety net. Fans on X are buzzing, hailing her as a breath of fresh air in a stale daytime landscape.

Behind the scenes, Faulkner’s grit shines. A Fox veteran since 2005, she juggles The Faulkner Focus and a decade on Outnumbered, all while raising her daughters with husband Tony Berlin. Her 2018 ambush didn’t break her—it fueled her. Now, she’s not just beating The View; she’s exposing its cracks. As The View scrambles amid declining numbers, Faulkner’s ascent signals a shift: substance over spectacle. Could this be the dawn of a new daytime dynasty? With tensions simmering and viewers hooked, Faulkner’s not just winning—she’s redefining what victory looks like on TV.