Sunny Hostin of The View sparked controversy by claiming former President Donald Trump’s push to close the Department of Education aims to keep Americans uneducated to boost Republican voter recruitment. During a February 2025 segment, Hostin argued that dismantling the department would create a “permanent underclass” of cheap labor, alleging Trump’s plan ties to Project 2025’s goals despite his denial of involvement. She insisted, “Without education, you get cheaper labor… educated workers cost more”. Her cohosts pressed for clarification, with Joy Behar asking, “Which is?” before Hostin doubled down on her theory.
The Trump administration countered these claims, emphasizing states’ rights and parental control over education. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated the move would “free future generations” from federal bureaucracy, redirecting power to local communities while maintaining funding for essential programs. Trump’s March 2025 executive order formalized this shift, framing it as a rejection of “radical indoctrination” in schools and a return to “patriotic” values. Critics, however, warned the policy could enforce a conservative agenda by threatening funding to schools that oppose Trump’s worldview.
Dave Rubin of The Rubin Report mocked Hostin’s conspiracy, highlighting its disconnect from the administration’s stated goal of reducing federal overreach. In his March 2025 analysis, Rubin dismissed the idea that uneducated voters inherently favor Republicans, calling it a partisan oversimplification. He contrasted Hostin’s remarks with McMahon’s testimony, which stressed efficiency and local autonomy over education. The debate reflects broader tensions over federalism, with progressive voices framing decentralization as a threat to equity while conservatives champion it as a safeguard against ideological capture.
