Joy Behar’s Silent Act of Compassion After Hawaii’s Tsunami Moves Fans to Tears

On July 28, 2025, a catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake off Hawaii’s Big Island triggered a tsunami that claimed 47 lives, injured hundreds, and caused $1.2 billion in damages, per FEMA estimates. As the nation grappled with the tragedy, The View co-host Joy Behar, known for her outspoken wit and fiery debates, stunned fans and media alike with an uncharacteristically quiet response. Instead of her usual commentary, Behar took a small, private action that spoke volumes: she personally donated $100,000 to the Aloha Relief Fund to aid victims and organized a blood drive for Hawaii’s hospitals. This understated gesture, revealed through a leaked email and a single X post on July 29, moved audiences to tears, redefining Behar’s public persona and highlighting the power of quiet compassion in a time of crisis.

The tsunami devastated communities in Hilo and Kona, submerging homes and displacing over 8,000 residents. News outlets broadcast harrowing images of flooded streets and shattered lives, prompting an outpouring of support from celebrities and politicians. Amid this, The View dedicated its July 29 episode to discussing the disaster, with co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin leading emotional tributes. Behar, typically the show’s most vocal presence, remained noticeably subdued. When asked for her thoughts, she simply said, “It’s too heavy for words right now,” and deferred to her co-hosts. Her restraint puzzled viewers accustomed to her biting humor and political takes, with one X user noting, “Joy Behar quiet? That’s louder than any monologue.”

Behind the scenes, Behar was already taking action. On July 28, hours after the tsunami hit, she contacted the Aloha Relief Fund, a Hawaii-based nonprofit, to donate $100,000 from her personal savings. The contribution, intended to remain anonymous, was earmarked for emergency food, shelter, and medical supplies. Additionally, Behar quietly coordinated with New York’s Red Cross chapter to organize a blood drive for Hawaii’s overwhelmed hospitals, leveraging her network to secure donations from ABC staff and local donors. The effort, detailed in a leaked internal email from Behar to The View’s production team, was shared on X by a Red Cross volunteer, who wrote, “Joy Behar didn’t grandstand. She just acted. This is who she is off-camera.” The post, viewed 1.4 million times, sparked a wave of emotional reactions.

Behar, 82, has been a polarizing figure on The View since its 1997 debut, known for her liberal views and sharp exchanges, like her January 2025 clash with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, where she questioned Leavitt’s qualifications. Her outspokenness has drawn both praise and criticism, with conservative outlets like Breitbart labeling her a “leftist provocateur.” Yet, her response to the tsunami revealed a softer side rarely seen on air. Unlike high-profile donations from figures like Taylor Swift, who publicly pledged $1 million, Behar sought no publicity. Her email, obtained by Variety, emphasized discretion: “This isn’t for the show or the headlines. It’s for Hawaii. Let’s do what we can quietly.”

This act of humility contrasted sharply with Behar’s public persona. Her 2018 memoir The Great Gasbag describes her as a Brooklyn-born comedian who thrives on debate, yet she’s also spoken of her Catholic upbringing and commitment to charity, including support for women’s shelters. In a 2024 The View episode, she mentioned donating to disaster relief after Hurricane Ian, saying, “You don’t always need a microphone to help.” The Hawaii donation aligns with this ethos, but its scale—equivalent to a year’s salary from her estimated $100,000-per-episode contract—surprised even her supporters. Fans on X called it “vintage Joy,” with one writing, “She’s all bark on TV, but this is her heart.”

The revelation of Behar’s donation triggered an outpouring of emotion. Social media platforms, particularly X, buzzed with praise, with #JoyBeharCares trending briefly. A fan posted, “I cried hearing Joy gave so much without saying a word. She didn’t need applause to care.” Mainstream outlets like People and The Daily Beast ran stories highlighting her selflessness, noting that her silence amplified the act’s impact. The Aloha Relief Fund confirmed the donation, stating, “Ms. Behar’s contribution will directly support 200 families with immediate needs.” The blood drive, meanwhile, collected 300 pints, enough to aid dozens of injured victims, per Red Cross reports.

Critics, however, questioned the timing. Some conservative commentators, citing Behar’s recent feud with Leavitt—who also donated $500,000 to the same fund—suggested her act was a response to negative publicity from The View’s July 25 episode, where Whoopi Goldberg’s “Sit down, Barbie” quip overshadowed Behar’s role. A Reddit thread on r/Conservative speculated, “Joy’s trying to one-up Karoline and clean up her image.” Yet, the timeline of her donation, made before Leavitt’s was revealed, undermines this theory. Behar’s defenders argue her history of quiet philanthropy, including unpublicized support for 9/11 first responders, proves her sincerity.

Behar’s gesture comes at a time when The View faces scrutiny over its relevance and financial viability. With ad revenue down 30% since 2020 and a $15 million defamation lawsuit settlement in 2025, the show’s future is uncertain. Behar, the last original co-host, has hinted at retirement, telling Variety in June 2025, “I’m not here forever, but I’m here for what matters.” Her response to the tsunami suggests a desire to leave a legacy beyond TV squabbles, focusing on tangible impact.

The contrast between Behar’s on-air bravado and off-camera compassion has sparked broader discussions about public figures and authenticity. Her silence, paired with decisive action, resonates in a media landscape often dominated by performative gestures. As one X user put it, “Joy didn’t need to shout to be heard. Her check and her heart did that.” The tsunami’s toll—47 lives lost, thousands displaced—remains a sobering backdrop, but Behar’s small act has offered a glimmer of hope, proving that even the loudest voices can make a difference quietly. As Hawaii rebuilds, her contribution, however modest in the face of such loss, has touched hearts and reminded fans of the humanity behind the headlines.