Sunny Hostin, co-host of The View and no stranger to controversial commentary, found herself at the center of backlash once again on the anniversary of January 6th.
During a discussion on the Capitol riot, Hostin described the events as “one of the worst moments in American history,” a statement that, while debatable, might have passed without much fanfare. But she didn’t stop there, going on to compare the riot to atrocities such as the Holocaust, slavery, and even World War II. The comparison immediately sparked criticism, with many accusing her of trivializing history’s gravest events.
Hostin’s comments drew swift reactions across the political spectrum. During her remarks, she called for “moral clarity” on the issue, criticizing figures like former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for urging the nation to move forward. “I say no. You don’t move on from January 6th because January 6th was an atrocity,” Hostin said, before likening it to some of the darkest chapters in global and American history.
Sunny Hostin compares Jan 6 to WWII (~50 million dead), the holocaust (11 million murdered in death camps) and the enslavement of 12 million Africans brought in chains to the Americas
Sunny is not bright.
pic.twitter.com/MkCoHEhybq— Buck Sexton (@BuckSexton) January 6, 2025
The backlash was immediate, with CNN’s Scott Jennings delivering a pointed rebuttal. Jennings acknowledged that January 6th was a regrettable and chaotic day but cautioned against hyperbolic comparisons to events like the Holocaust or slavery. He labeled such comparisons as “extraordinarily unhinged and vile,” urging commentators to place the riot within a measured historical context. Jennings emphasized that while political violence cannot be condoned, it is essential to avoid minimizing the scale of historical atrocities by drawing false equivalences.
WATCH: CNN’s @ScottJenningsKY NUKES Sunny Hostin for comparing January 6 to the Holocaust and slavery:
“In light of all the rhetoric and things we’re going to hear people say today is that, ultimately, it was the American people who got to decide ultimately how we feel… pic.twitter.com/xyFdgVcOSb
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 6, 2025
Hostin’s remarks also reignited the debate about the rhetoric surrounding January 6th. Critics argue that Hostin’s comparison trivializes events like the Holocaust, where millions were systematically exterminated, and slavery, which spanned centuries and shaped American history. Hostin’s inclusion of World War II as an “atrocity” puzzled many, as the war ultimately led to the defeat of regimes responsible for some of humanity’s greatest crimes.
The controversy has also brought renewed attention to how political and media figures frame the events of January 6th. While Democrats and some media outlets continue to portray the riot as a defining threat to democracy, others argue that it has been exaggerated for political purposes. They point out that most Americans have moved on, focusing instead on pressing issues like inflation, crime, and border security.
Hostin’s comments raise questions about the responsibility of public figures in discussing sensitive historical comparisons. Organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which often criticize trivial Holocaust analogies, have not yet commented on her remarks. Critics are now calling on Hostin and ABC News to clarify or apologize, arguing that such statements downplay the gravity of real atrocities while inflating the significance of a single day of unrest.
The debate over January 6th remains polarizing, but as Jennings noted, the larger takeaway from this year’s anniversary is that both political parties are now accepting election results—a stark contrast to past years marked by disputes and objections. While Hostin and others may continue to focus on the Capitol riot, many Americans appear ready to move forward, viewing the events as a cautionary tale rather than a defining crisis.
