Medical professionals echoed the same concern. “Public bullying can lead to long-term emotional trauma and mental health issues, even in young children,” warned a child wellness expert.
Wellness advocates are demanding ABC issue a formal apology and invest in anti-harassment training for on-air talent.
Some are even calling for corporate health insurance penalties to be applied to hosts who cross ethical lines.
Despite mounting pressure, the co-hosts have remained largely silent — except for a brief, tense moment on Friday’s show. Joy Behar muttered, “We’ve been told not to comment,” before abruptly changing the topic.
Legal analysts believe this silence is intentional, likely advised by high-powered legal counsel. When dealing with high-profile defamation cases, “every word can be used in court,” one lawyer explained.
Behind closed doors, Disney’s legal team is allegedly reviewing host liability clauses in their contracts. One host reportedly asked if their personal insurance policies would cover potential damages.
