'The View' hosts clash over Knicks accepting Trump’s White House invite: ‘It's not fair’

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The New York Knicks’ decision to accept a White House invitation from President Donald Trump sparked a heated discussion on ‘The View,’ with Whoopi Goldberg defending the visit while some of her co-hosts argued it could put players in an uncomfortable position.

The debate came after Knicks owner James Dolan confirmed on Wednesday that the NBA champions had accepted an invitation to visit the White House.

Sara Haines and Sunny Hostin raise concerns about pressure on players

Sara Haines argued that accepting the invitation places players in a difficult situation because the decision was made by team ownership.

“This puts the players in a precarious position merely because Jim Dolan is admittedly a good friend of Donald Trump's and to now put that on the players,” Haines said.

She added that the championship celebration should remain focused on the team rather than politics.

“I know you might get people that refuse to go, I just think it's not fair to take any of the flowers and the beauty of this moment and its unity, and try to then place it on the players' back,” she said.

Sunny Hostin agreed that the visit creates complications for players. She noted that several NBA champions previously declined White House invitations during Trump's presidency.

“I think there's a reason why every single - the previous five NBA champions crowned during the Trump administration refused to go,” Hostin said, adding that she believes Trump tends to politicize public events.

Whoopi Goldberg says Knicks should embrace the moment

Goldberg took a different position and strongly supported the team making the trip to Washington.

“I want them to go,” she said. “I want all those Black men to stand in our house and remind all of those people ... that when you try to destroy one part of history, you're destroying all of our histories.” 

She also praised the players for their journey to a championship and said their presence could inspire young fans.

“This is what this looks like,” Goldberg said. “If only so the kids know that nobody, nobody can keep you down if you are rising up.”

James Dolan confirms Knicks accepted White House invitation

The discussion followed comments from Knicks owner James Dolan, who confirmed the invitation had been accepted.

“We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” Dolan said on WFAN New York's ‘The Carton Show.’

Dolan added that details are still being worked out but said he was proud to bring the team to Washington.

“Still have to figure out the details, but, yes, of course. He is a friend. I've known him for 30 years, and I'm very proud to bring the team to the White House,” he said.

Trump attended the Knicks’ Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, which turned out to be the team’s only defeat of the championship series before they clinched the title.

‘The View’ previously debated Trump’s impact on the Knicks

The latest discussion comes just weeks after the hosts debated Trump’s attendance at Game 3.

At the time, some fans blamed Trump for ending the Knicks’ winning streak, but Goldberg dismissed the idea.

“No, no, no, now, come on now. They were not playing great ball. That was on us,” she said.

“I have to just reiterate the fact that this man does not have that kind of power. We have to remind people. He doesn’t have the power.”

Hostin, however, jokingly suggested that Trump brought bad “juju” to the team.