‘The View’ Hosts Can’t Deduce Why Military Leaders Might Need To Be In Top Physical Shape

The hosts of ABC’s “The View” appeared baffled as to why the leaders of the United States military might need to be in peak physical condition, and spent much of Tuesday’s broadcast complaining that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was demanding physical fitness from his troops.

The cohosts were responding to the unprecedented meeting held in Quantico on Tuesday morning, during which Hegseth spoke directly to hundreds of the military’s top brass — all of whom had been directed to attend that meeting in person.

Complaining that Hegseth’s remarks described a “very retro vision for our armed forces,” cohost Joy Behar demanded to know why Hegseth was “obsessed with fat?”

“And fitness?” cohost Sunny Hostin added.

WATCH:

Faux conservative Alyssa Farah Griffin is confused why Hegseth and Republicans want the US military be physically fit and ready to go to war if the need was required:
“I’m very lost on the fact that it seems like it’s become a Republican Party position out of nowhere that the… pic.twitter.com/Rx4WlJY5zB

— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) September 30, 2025

Cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin suggested that the changes weren’t needed because the military was already in great shape — despite data indicating that more than two-thirds of current active military members are considered overweight, and 22% are considered “obese.”

“I’m very lost on the fact that it seems like it’s become a Republican Party position out of nowhere that the U.S. Military is weak. We’re the greatest fighting force in the history of mankind,” she claimed.

Griffin later suggested that Hegseth was critical of generals like former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley because he wanted to make himself feel better about his own service.

WATCH:

Behar delves into conspiracy theories by suggesting there’s an “ulterior motive for all their crazy stuff.”
Sara Haines answers by falsely suggesting recruitment numbers are down for the military. She also claims the meeting is putting the United States in jeopardy. She whines… pic.twitter.com/kVP1alGITg

— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) September 30, 2025

Cohost Sara Haines claimed there was a “recruiting lull” despite record-breaking recruitment numbers coming from every branch of service, and then complained that the security of the military was at risk because the meeting was held in person. She also whined about the cost of bringing them in for the meeting, and then complained that they’d done it just to tell the generals to shave and go back to “hazing” trainees.

Hostin was “befuddled” by the move to “toughen physical standards” and complained about Hegseth’s plan to reinstate higher standards.

“I don’t understand how that was supposed to be an uplifting message for our military,” she said.

WATCH:

Joy Behar spew inciting rhetoric by claiming America will not survive Trump:
“If you guys think we can survive another 3 1/2 years of this, I think you’re delusional. Every day there’s some nihilist thing… very day this guy is undoing something in this country that we value.… pic.twitter.com/S0PtNHFPjh

— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) September 30, 2025

Behar pivoted back to Trump, adding, “If you guys think we can survive another 3 1/2 years of this, I think you’re delusional … every day this guy is undoing something in this country that we value.”

During his remarks, Hegseth declared that all military members — from new privates to four-star generals – would be expected to meet the prescribed height and weight standards and pass physical training (PT) tests on a regular basis. He also stated that “fat troops” in formations and “fat generals at the Pentagon” were a thing of the past and would no longer be tolerated: “It’s a bad look.”