Dr. Phil McGraw, the popular TV psychologist and host of Dr. Phil Primetime, sparked a heated debate with the co-hosts of The View on Monda, when he shared his controversial views on the border crisis and the pandemic school closures.
McGraw claimed that he had interviewed the head of the border guards at the Southern border, who told him that many of the children coming into the U.S. with phone numbers and addresses written on their arms were being sent into prostitution rings or sweat shops. He said that this was happening with the knowledge and funding of the U.S. government, which he called “unconscionable”.
The View co-host Sunny Hostin challenged McGraw’s assertion, asking him to clarify whether this was happening to all or some of the children. McGraw admitted that he did not know the exact numbers, but said that the border patrol was overwhelmed and unable to investigate the cases. He also suggested that the Biden administration was not aware of or addressing the issue.
The tension escalated when McGraw criticized the school shutdowns amid the pandemic, arguing that they had caused severe mental health problems for the school-aged adolescents, such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicidality. He blamed the same agencies that had warned about the negative effects of social media for taking away the support system for the children by closing the schools for two years.
“Who does that? Who takes away the support system for these children? Who takes it away and shuts it down?” McGraw asked rhetorically.
He also said that the school closures had prevented the mandated reporters from being able to see and help the children who were being abused or sexually molested at home.
The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, a communications strategist and former White House press secretary, disagreed with McGraw’s stance, saying that the school closures were necessary to protect the public health and save lives from the virus. She also pointed out that many schools had reopened or offered hybrid options for the students.
The other co-hosts of The View also expressed their skepticism and displeasure with McGraw’s opinions, questioning his sources, his motives, and his credibility.
They accused him of spreading misinformation and fear-mongering, and urged him to use his platform more responsibly and compassionately.
