Team Behind Kamala Harris Wanted Answers After ‘The View’ COVID Testing Fiasco

Vice President Kamala Harris’ office is frustrated and looking for answers from the producers of ABC’s "The View" after two of its hosts last week were pulled off the air before Harris was set to appear on the show.

The vice president was scheduled to speak with the "The View" on Friday, but the recording was interrupted abruptly when hosts Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro were pulled from the set. Harris would later give a much briefer remote interview to "The View" that day, but her staff was confounded by what exactly happened.

According to sources close to the show who spoke to CNN, the hosts are usually tested twice weekly and NBC separately reported that Navarro and Hostin were also vaccinated against COVID-19. One source said that on the day before Harris was to arrive for her interview, her office requested that hosts take an expedited PCR test as a prerequisite to the appearance.

Later on Thursday night, a producer for "The View" gave an “all clear” to Harris’ staff. But right before the interview, the two hosts were removed and later said to have tested positive for COVID-19. After a flurry of additional testing, it was revealed that the hosts received a false-positive result.

"The View" explained this on their Monday episode alongside executive producer Brian Teta. He apologized on Monday for the fiasco and said that it was done to keep the hosts and vice president safe.

"That led to some really awkward television that I'd like to have back if I could," Teta said.

Harris’ staff was irritated by the sudden revelation and this frustration was reportedly shared by network executives, including ABC News’ President and CEO Kim Goodwin, who was in the audience.

Harris did not seem phased by the episode, but instead took time during her truncated interview to use the experience to tout the effectiveness of vaccinations.

“Sony and Ana are strong women and I know they are fine,” Harris said remotely from behind the set. “But it also really does speak to the fact that they are vaccinated and vaccines make all the difference because otherwise we'd be concerned about hospitalization and worse.”