ADVERTISEMENT

Behar Responds to Pence's Call to Publicly Address Remarks Disparaging Christians: 'I Sincerely Apologize'

March 13, 2018

"The View" co-host Joy Behar publicly apologized Tuesday for her remarks that Vice President Mike Pence had a "mental illness" because of his Christian faith, saying she fell short of respecting all religions.

Behar made the remarks in February after former White House aide Omarosa Marigault Newman disparaged Pence during a reality show appearance, mocking him for thinking Jesus spoke to him.

"Like I said before, it's one thing to talk to Jesus. It's another thing when Jesus talks to you," Behar said. "That's called mental illness, if I'm not correct. Hearing voices."

She later said she was joking, but Pence said the remarks were "wrong" and it was later revealed by Disney CEO Bob Iger that she telephoned Pence to express contrition for her comments.

Pence praised her for reaching out, but he told Fox News host Sean Hannity Monday he hoped she would make a public statement to the "tens of millions of Americans" who were offended by her comments.

"The View" played the clip of Pence at the outset of Tuesday's show, and Behar responded as Pence hoped.

"So I think Vice President Pence is right," Behar said. "I was raised to respect everyone's religious faith, and I fell short of that. I sincerely apologize for what I said."