The “Survivor” alum’s arsenal of defenses from the Hot Topics table includes a “helmet of salvation,” “breastplate of righteousness,” “belt of truth,” and more!

Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s friend gave her real ‘armor of God’ for protection amid return to The View

The "Survivor" alum's arsenal of defenses from the Hot Topics table includes a "helmet of salvation," "breastplate of righteousness," "belt of truth," and more!

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes *RuPaul's Drag Race* video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

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February 28, 2026 11:43 a.m. ET

Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck on 'The View'. Credit:

Heidi Gutman/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Elisabeth Hasselbeck — conservative God warrior and our nation's premier defender of Carrie Underwood — has officially armored up for what should be a momentous return to war on *The View*.

Ahead of guest-cohosting all five of next week's episodes of the long-running talk show, the controversial former *Survivor* star and longtime *View* cohost (who previously sat on the panel from 2003-2013) has given fans a peek into her preparation for the battle.

"I've been trying to prep for *The View, *so my main research is right there. That's the armor!" Hasselbeck said in a since-expired Instagram Story, showing off an intricately notated Bible sitting on her kitchen table, which was also adorned with leftover eggs and a collection of devotional writings.

Hasselbeck then showed off additional landmines she must dodge before heading back to the Hot Topics table, including dirty dishes in her sink, an overflowing trash can, and a lump of sourdough that's "staring" her down from the counter.**

Elisabeth Hasselbeck shows off her 'Armor of God' defenses for 'The View'.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck/Instagram

She then panned up from the bread to show off a present that her pal gave her ahead of stepping into the gladiatorial arena.

"My sweet friend gave me this for *The View,*" Hasselbeck said, revealing a box that contained an "Armor of God" collection of protective items.

Per the box, Hasselbeck will now face Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro with a "helmet of salvation," a "breastplate of righteousness," the "belt of truth," a "spirit-of-the-world sword," a new "shield of faith," and the all-important "faith parenting guide."

** has reached out to a representative for *The View* for comment.

It is unclear if Hasselbeck waged her January 2025 offensive against Behar — who criticized the aforementioned Underwood for performing at Donald Trump's second-term inauguration — with any form of the Armor of God in tow.

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"That @TheView @JoyVBehar needs to simmer down off my friend," Hasselbeck wrote on X at the time, later saying that Behar called "Carrie Underwood Un-American" on *The View* telecast — though Behar did not use the words "un-American" in reference to Underwood.

Hasselbeck additionally posted an image of the comedian to her Instagram Story, writing "Joy — @carrieunderwood is an INCREDIBLE WOMAN. You could learn from her strength."

Despite Hasselbeck voicing criticism for the show, *The View *posted an Instagram photo Friday touting her as "our friend and former cohost" before she takes her seat at the Hot Topics table at the top of next week.

'The View' cohost Elisabeth Hasselbeck in 2019.

Lou Rocco/ABC/Getty

Other battles Hasselbeck has fought over the past year include the great resurfacing of perhaps her most famous *View* controversy, after ex-panelist Rosie O'Donnell referenced in a 2025 podcast interview the pair's long-standing rift that began in 2007 amid an on-air clash that preceded O'Donnell's first exit from the panel that year.

The actress alleged that their memorable fight was a "setup" and "prepared" by then-producer Bill Geddie (who died in 2023), after which Hasselbeck replied in a series of tear-filled Instagram clips imploring O'Donnell to "stop the madness."

Hasselbeck's next (potentially treacherous) journey on *The View* begins Monday.

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Source: “EW Talk”