The internet is a wild place. One minute you’re scrolling through recipes, and the next, you’re seeing headlines about Carrie Underwood suing The View. It sounds juicy, right? The country queen versus the queens of daytime talk. It has all the ingredients of a classic Hollywood showdown.
But here is the thing. It’s basically not true.
If you’ve been looking for a court docket or a formal legal filing where Underwood takes on ABC, you’re going to be looking for a long time. There is no lawsuit. Honestly, the whole "Carrie Underwood suing The View" narrative is a perfect example of how a heated TV debate can morph into a "legal battle" once it hits the social media echo chamber.
Where the Drama Actually Started
The spark for this fire didn’t happen in a lawyer's office. It happened on live television in January 2025.
It started when Carrie Underwood announced she would be performing at the presidential inauguration. For some, it was just a singer doing a gig. For the ladies at The View, it was a "Hot Topic" that nearly took the roof off the studio.
Joy Behar didn't hold back. She questioned how Underwood could "normalize" the situation and even went as far as questioning her love for the country. It was harsh. Like, really harsh.
"How do you love your country and support and normalize somebody who was a convicted felon who really wants to destroy the country, in my opinion?" — Joy Behar
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That’s a heavy accusation to lob at an "American Idol" winner who has built her entire brand on faith, family, and being an "All-American Girl."
The Panel Split
The table wasn't united, though. That’s the nuance people often miss. Whoopi Goldberg actually stepped in to defend Carrie. She argued that performers have the right to choose their stages. She basically said, "I might not watch it, but I support her right to do it."
Alyssa Farah Griffin also jumped in. She pointed out that 75 million people voted for the guy, so maybe calling his performers "un-American" was a bit of a stretch. She even brought up the "Dixie Chicks" (now The Chicks) and how the era of "canceling" people for their politics needs to end.
Why People Think There Is a Lawsuit
So, if there’s no lawsuit, why is everyone searching for it?
Clickbait. Plain and simple.
YouTube channels with names like "Celebrity Juice" or "The Daily Scoop" love to use words like "SHATTERS," "SUES," or "DESTROYED" in their thumbnails. You’ve probably seen the AI-generated images of Carrie Underwood looking stern in a courtroom while Joy Behar looks like she’s crying. It’s fake. It’s designed to get you to click so they can collect half a cent in ad revenue.
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Also, Carrie has been in the news for actual legal stuff in the past.
- The "Game On" Lawsuit (2019): A songwriter named Heidi Merrill sued Carrie and NBC, claiming the Sunday Night Football theme was stolen.
- "Something in the Water" (2017): Two Canadian songwriters claimed she swiped their melody.
Both of those were copyright disputes. Neither had anything to do with The View. But when people hear "Carrie Underwood" and "Lawsuit" in the same news cycle as "Carrie Underwood" and "The View Controversy," their brains just sort of mash them together.
The Reality of Celeb "Legal Action"
Let's talk reality. Does Carrie Underwood have grounds to sue?
In the U.S., defamation is incredibly hard to prove for a public figure. You have to prove "actual malice." You have to prove they knew they were lying and did it specifically to hurt you.
Joy Behar said it was her opinion. Opinions are generally protected under the First Amendment. Saying "I don't think you love your country" is a mean thing to say, but it's not a statement of fact that a judge is going to penalize.
Carrie Underwood is a pro. She’s been in the industry for twenty years. She knows that responding to every "Hot Topic" segment would be a full-time job. Usually, her strategy is just to keep working.
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What Carrie Is Actually Doing in 2026
While the internet argues about fake lawsuits, Carrie is actually pretty busy.
She’s back on American Idol as a judge for Season 23, which is a massive full-circle moment. She's also headlining the Wildlands Music Festival in Montana this summer along with Riley Green and LeAnn Rimes.
The festival is raising money for conservation in the Yellowstone region. That’s kind of her vibe—cows, country, and charity. Not depositions and courtrooms.
Misconceptions to Clear Up
- Is she banned from ABC? No. She’s literally the star judge on American Idol, which airs on ABC—the same network that airs The View.
- Did she demand Joy Behar be fired? There is zero evidence of this.
- Is The View being canceled because of her? People have been saying The View is "sinking" for decades. It’s still on the air.
Dealing with the Noise
It’s easy to get sucked into the drama. The 24-hour news cycle lives on conflict. But if you want to know what’s really going on with Carrie Underwood, look at her tour dates or her official social media.
If she were actually suing a major network, it wouldn't just be on a random YouTube channel with 40,000 subscribers. It would be the lead story on Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Billboard.
Your next steps for staying informed:
Check the official court records via PACER if you’re ever truly suspicious of a celebrity lawsuit, or simply stick to verified trade publications like Deadline for entertainment legal news. If you see a thumbnail of a celebrity in a suit with a "gavel" icon, it’s a 99% chance it’s manufactured drama.