Meghan McCain
Meghan McCain (born October 23, 1984) is an American television personality, columnist, and author—best known as a co-host on The View, a political commentator, and the daughter of Senator John McCain. Explore her trajectory, viewpoints, controversies, and legacy.
Introduction
Meghan McCain has navigated public life both as a child of political fame and as a distinct media figure in her own right. Known for her bold commentary, ideological stances, and high-profile media roles, she occupies a space at the intersection of politics, culture, and entertainment. Her journey reflects both the burdens and opportunities of building one's voice under the shadow of a famous parent.
Her importance today lies in how she amplifies conservative or centrist voices in mainstream media, while also challenging her own base. Her willingness to court controversy—and to evolve—makes her a compelling figure to study in media and political discourse.
Early Life and Family
Meghan Marguerite McCain was born on October 23, 1984 in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the eldest of four children of:
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John McCain, U.S. Senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee
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Cindy McCain, diplomat, philanthropist, and later U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture
From a young age, Meghan lived in the public eye. She appeared at the 1996 Republican National Convention when she was just 11 years old.
She attended Phoenix Country Day School and Xavier College Preparatory, a private all-girl Catholic high school in Phoenix.
Education
McCain enrolled at Columbia University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Art History in 2007. Originally, she had aspirations to be a music journalist, and during her college years she interned at Newsweek and Saturday Night Live.
Media & Journalism Career
Blogging and Early Writing
Meghan first gained a measure of independent media attention in 2007, when she launched her blog McCain Blogette, documenting life on the campaign trail during her father’s 2008 presidential bid. In 2009, she became a contributing writer for The Daily Beast.
She also published her first book, My Dad, John McCain, during that period.
Television Roles and Network Appearances
Over time, Meghan expanded into television commentary:
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She has appeared on MSNBC and other political talk shows.
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In 2013, she launched a road-based show, Raising McCain, on the Pivot network.
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Later, she co-hosted TakePart Live on Pivot until its cancellation in December 2014.
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In 2015, she became a Fox News contributor.
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In 2016, she became a regular co-host of the Fox afternoon talk show Outnumbered.
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In September 2017, she joined ABC’s The View as a full-time co-host, where she remained until she announced her departure in 2021.
During her tenure on The View, Meghan was often cast as the conservative voice among more liberal co-hosts—leading to frequent ideological clashes and debates.
Recent Projects
After leaving The View, she became a columnist for Citizen McCain, which blends political commentary, pop culture, and current events.
In 2025, Meghan merged her YouTube show Happy Hour into Citizen McCain, consolidating her media platforms under one brand.
Personal Life
Meghan McCain married political commentator Ben Domenech on November 21, 2017. They have had challenges with pregnancy loss: in 2019, she publicly shared that she had a miscarriage. She gave birth to her first daughter, Liberty Sage McCain Domenech, in September 2020. Her second daughter, Clover Jade, arrived in January 2023. In June 2025, she announced that she is expecting a son.
In late 2024, she revealed she had a benign breast mass biopsy, using the incident to advocate for regular mammograms.
Views, Political Stance & Controversies
Political Identity & Positions
Meghan describes herself as a Republican, though she has also noted that she dislikes strict labels and views herself as socially liberal on some issues. Her positions include:
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Anti-abortion, but also support for sex education and birth control in some contexts.
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Strong support for LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage and adoption, and repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
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Environmental and climate views—she has expressed alignment with her father's stances on global warming and support for environmental measures.
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On immigration, she has diverged from strict conservative positions at times.
She has also been outspoken in criticizing both sides of the political spectrum when she feels they err—leading to both praise and criticism.
Controversies
Because Meghan often speaks candidly and provocatively, she has been involved in several controversies:
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Her debates with liberal co-hosts on The View sometimes escalated into public conflicts and polarization.
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She has been criticized when her positions appear inconsistent or when she shifts over time.
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More recently, her collaboration with a company promoting a supposed “COVID vaccine detox” pill drew backlash, especially given her prior public support for mRNA vaccines.
Notable Quotes
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“I am a woman who despises labels and boxes and stereotypes.”
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On her father’s legacy and how she would speak at his funeral: she said, “The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great.”
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On transitions and forgiveness (in reference to her media collaborations): “With age comes wisdom and different perspectives on people … I believe in giving people the presumption of grace and forgiveness as I would like it in return.”
Legacy & Influence
Meghan McCain’s influence lies in her role as a bridge figure: someone who carries conservative identity into mainstream media spaces while challenging both ideological extremes. Her presence has:
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Brought Republican and centrist viewpoints into daytime broadcast platforms
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Modeled how children of political figures can build their own public persona
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Shown the tensions and possibilities of combining punditry, activism, and media entrepreneurship
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Sparked conversations on feminism, party identity, and the evolution of conservative thought
As she continues publishing, podcasting, and evolving her platforms, her long-term legacy may be as much about adaptation and reinvention as about fixed ideological stances.
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