As one of the most outspoken co-hosts on The View and the daughter of late Arizona Senator John McCain, Meghan McCain is no stranger to making waves … or headlines.
The television star exclusively sat down with DailyMailTV host Thomas Roberts for a virtual chat about life as a new mom and, of course, the high-octane goings on at her hit daytime talk show.
The 36-year-old newsmaker and her husband Ben Domenech welcomed their first child together in 2020, baby Liberty.
Television star: Meghan McCain exclusively sat down with DailyMailTV host Thomas Roberts for a virtual chat about life as a new mom and, of course, the high-octane goings on at The View
‘It’s incredible,’ she gushed. ‘It’s like seeing your heart outside your body and it’s this totally paradigm shifting experience and, you know, it’s been amazing.’
The quick witted and sharp tongued pundit showed off a more relaxed side during her chat with DailyMailTV as she’s a longtime friend of Roberts who wanted to know how her life has changed since the arrival of Liberty.
‘First of all, I’m so happy to see you, Thomas,’ Meghan quipped. ‘You know, the last time I saw you before the pandemic I was very drunk at your wedding and I obviously haven’t been drunk at a wedding in a really long time. So motherhood has changed everything.’
After a devastating miscarriage in 2019, Meghan and Ben were overjoyed to welcome their daughter in September of 2020.
‘It’s incredible,’ she gushed. ‘It’s like seeing your heart outside your body and it’s this totally paradigm shifting experience and, you know, it’s been amazing.’
‘First of all, I’m so happy to see you, Thomas,’ Meghan quipped. ‘You know, the last time I saw you before the pandemic I was very drunk at your wedding and I obviously haven’t been drunk at a wedding in a really long time. So motherhood has changed everything.’
‘It’s just such a privilege to be her mom. I mean, it’s just like this beautiful experience,’ reflected McCain. ‘We’re in such a dark, unhappy time and she wakes up every morning so excited and so happy – and it’s wonderful.’
One person who has been a big help during her transition into motherhood has been Meghan’s own mom Cindy McCain. The mother-daughter duo are incredibly close and now that Meghan has her own child, she is looking back at her childhood through a new lens.
‘You know, my mom actually just left. She was here visiting because she has been vaccinated and I just have a whole new appreciation for all the garbage I put my mom through when I was growing up and all the things she had to do,’ Meghan revealed.
‘You know, my mom actually just left. She was here visiting because she has been vaccinated and I just have a whole new appreciation for all the garbage I put my mom through when I was growing up and all the things she had to do,’ Meghan revealed (Cindy, Liberty and Meghan pictured in an exclusive image)
‘Of course I hope to emulate that relationship and I hope that Liberty has the same kind of relationship with her,’ she added (Cindy, Meghan and Liberty in an exclusive snap)
‘Of course I hope to emulate that relationship and I hope that Liberty has the same kind of relationship with her,’ she added.
Having a pandemic-era baby was no easy task for the star who, like many, had to forgo things like baby showers and even family time due to lockdowns.
‘It was challenging because you can’t see anyone,’ she admitted. ‘When I gave birth, I couldn’t see my family because there were restrictions at the hospital about how many people could come in. But I’m just one of millions of women who had to do it this way, and, you know, you just sort of roll with it.’
Meghan joked that she is hoping to have a ‘rowdy’ baby shower – complete with cocktails that she can enjoy since she won’t be pregnant for it – when groups can safely gather together again.
‘It was challenging because you can’t see anyone,’ she admitted. ‘When I gave birth, I couldn’t see my family because there were restrictions at the hospital about how many people could come in. But I’m just one of millions of women who had to do it this way, and, you know, you just sort of roll with it.’
Meanwhile, motherhood hasn’t dulled the feisty firebrand when it comes to her role on The View. Now in season 24, the female-centric daytime series is seeing their highest ratings in seven years.
‘This show is a juggernaut, and it’s been incredible to be a part of,’ Meghan said.
Audiences are tuning in in large numbers to see Meghan go toe-to-toe with her co-stars about the political and cultural climate in 2021.
In one particularly tense exchange with Joy Behar after Meghan returned from maternity leave, the 78-year-old snapped at McCain for interrupting her during a segment.
‘This show is a juggernaut, and it’s been incredible to be a part of,’ Meghan said of The View which is seeing its highest ratings in seven years
‘Excuse me, I was speaking,’ Joy said at the time.
‘You missed me so much Joy, you missed me while I was away on maternity leave,’ Meghan told Joy in the clip. ‘You missed me so much. You missed fighting with me!’
‘I did not,’ Behar coolly responded. ‘I did not miss you. Zero.’
Ruffling the feathers of her colleagues is part of the gig for Meghan and it is what viewers tune in to see time and again.
‘I know my job,’ Meghan told DailyMailTV. ‘I know that I am here to give an opinion that isn’t always the one people want to hear. And I think there’s no crying in baseball. And I signed up for this.’
‘I know my job,’ Meghan told DailyMailTV. ‘I know that I am here to give an opinion that isn’t always the one people want to hear. And I think there’s no crying in baseball. And I signed up for this.’
As tense as those times are for the audience, Meghan says it’s not that serious once the cameras are off.
‘It’s live, crazy TV,’ Meghan explained. ‘I think sometimes the idea that I’m like the supervillain on the show and that we all don’t get along is just not accurate and it’s unkind.’
‘It’s live, crazy TV,’ Meghan explained. ‘I think sometimes the idea that I’m like the supervillain on the show and that we all don’t get along is just not accurate and it’s unkind.’
She continued: ‘I just wish people would give us a little break sometimes and see that, you know, we have all have great respect for each other.’
In truth, perpetually being the bad guy does occasionally take its toll on Meghan but she credits her brother Jimmy for giving her the much needed perspective to move forward.
‘Sometimes it’s hard on me,’ she revealed. ‘My brother Jimmy is always like, ‘Is it hard being on TV and getting your makeup done? Megan, I went to Iraq.’ So, I have my brothers to keep me in check when I feel sorry for myself.’
The View airs weekdays at 11AM on ABC.
‘Sometimes it’s hard on me,’ she revealed. ‘My brother Jimmy is always like, ‘Is it hard being on TV and getting your makeup done? Megan, I went to Iraq.’ So, I have my brothers to keep me in check when I feel sorry for myself.’