Why scammers target retirees in a 6-week summer window

Summer feels like freedom. Maybe you have grandchildren visiting, a road trip on the calendar or a beach rental already booked. Scammers see summer differently. For them, it can be one of the best times of year to target retirees.

The six-week stretch from Memorial Day weekend to the Fourth of July creates a dangerous mix. Retirees are booking trips, using hotel Wi-Fi, posting vacation photos and spending more time away from home. At the same time, adult children may be busy with camp schedules, cookouts and travel plans, which can make it harder for families to spot trouble quickly.

That timing does not happen by accident. It gives scammers a playbook. They can use fake rentals, grandparent scams, public Wi-Fi traps and holiday distractions to make their attacks feel more believable.

Here's how that six-week summer fraud window works, what scammers may be watching for and how you can protect yourself before they reach you.

INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU

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Scammers look for routines they can predict. Summer gives them plenty. Retirees may be booking trips, visiting family, checking accounts from the road and spending more time away from home. They may also post vacation photos before they return, which can reveal where they are and when their home may be empty.

Family schedules can also get harder to track. Grandchildren may be out of school, adult children may be juggling camps and holiday plans, and a fake emergency can sound more believable when everyone's routine has changed. That mix gives scammers several openings at once. A fake rental can catch someone before a trip starts. A grandparent scam can create panic. A public Wi-Fi network can steal logins. A holiday weekend can make families harder to reach. That is the window scammers try to use. Here's what their six-week calendar can look like.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Before you pack a bag, scammers may already have fake vacation listings ready to go. Starting as early as April, fraud operations can post fake rentals on platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. The listing may show a lake cabin, an ocean-view condo or a beach house in the Carolinas priced just below market.

The photos may come from a real property. The reviews may look convincing. The "host" may sound friendly and quick to respond. By Memorial Day weekend, those listings may be live and waiting for travelers.

The FTC reported that travel, vacation and timeshare fraud led to $274 million in reported consumer losses in 2024. FTC data also shows older fraud victims often reported higher median losses overall, with people ages 70-79 reporting a $1,000 median loss and those 80 and over reporting $1,650.

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Here's how the scam works: You find the listing. You message the host. They're warm, responsive, and quick to reply. Then comes the ask: pay outside the platform. Wire transfer. Zelle. Gift cards. "The system is having trouble processing cards right now." You pay. You arrive at your destination and discover the house doesn't exist, is already occupied, or belongs to a completely different owner who has never heard of your booking.

What they're collecting this week: Your email address. Your phone number. Your travel dates and destination. How many people are traveling with you. Which payment method you were willing to use. All of it goes into a profile that will be used again before summer ends.

This is the week professional scammers have been waiting for all year. The grandparent scam — a criminal posing as a grandchild trapped in an emergency — has a very specific seasonal pattern. It spikes when school ends.

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The reason is behavioral, not calendar-based. When grandchildren are in school, grandparents know their schedule. They know where their grandkids are on a Tuesday afternoon. But the moment summer starts, all of that predictability disappears. A grandchild could be on a road trip. Camping in Colorado. Flying to visit a college roommate. Anywhere. That unpredictability is exactly what a scammer needs to make a fake emergency feel real.

The call goes something like this: "Grandma, it's me. I'm in trouble. I was in a car accident and I'm stuck in [city]. My phone got damaged. Please don't call Mom and Dad-I don't want to worry them. I just need $2,000 to get out of here. Can you help?"

In 2024, the FTC reported that impersonation scams, of which grandparent scams are a major category, resulted in almost $3 billion in losses. Victims aged 60 and over were disproportionately affected.

Here's what most people never realize: The scammer the scammer already knows your grandchild's name before they dial. Their age. Roughly where they might be traveling this summer. They got it from data broker sites, family Facebook posts, and genealogy platforms your family has been building for years. The "emergency" isn't random. It's researched.

What they’re collecting this week: Whether a family emergency makes you act quickly, which payment method you might use and whether you followed the "don’t tell your parents" instruction. If you kept the call secret once, scammers may see you as someone they can target again later in the summer.

By mid-June, vacation photos start filling social feeds. Beach sunsets. Grandkids at the pool. "Finally made it to Yellowstone!" A dinner photo from a waterfront restaurant 900 miles from home. To friends and family, those posts are memories. To scammers, they can become clues. Here's what a scammer may learn from one public vacation post:

GENEALOGY BOOM EXPOSES PERSONAL DATA SCAMMERS CAN EXPLOIT

This information does not stay on one post. Public photos, captions and comments can get scraped, saved and connected to other personal details already online. By the time you get home, scammers may know where you went, who traveled with you and roughly when you returned.

What they're collecting this week: Your location, travel timeline, family connections, routine changes and financial clues. Scammers can use that information to make future calls, texts or emails feel more personal.

Airports, hotel lobbies, resort pools and marina restaurants often have one thing in common: free Wi-Fi. That convenience can also create risk.

One common threat is an "evil twin" attack. A scammer sets up a fake Wi-Fi network with a name that looks almost identical to the real one. For example, you might see "Marriott_Guest" instead of the hotel's official network or "Airport_Free_WiFi" instead of the legitimate airport connection. On a small phone screen, those names can look convincing. If you connect to the fake network, scammers may be able to monitor your activity or try to capture sensitive information. That can include passwords, email logins, account details or information entered while using banking, credit card or payment apps.

This can be especially risky when you are away from home. You may check your bank account more often, watch for fraud alerts, review travel charges or pay a bill that comes due during your trip. That means you may be handling sensitive information at the exact moment public Wi-Fi risk goes up. Tourist-heavy areas can add another layer of risk because people often connect quickly without checking the network name carefully.

What they're collecting this week: Login details, email access, banking clues and account information. Scammers may not use that information right away. They may save it and try again weeks later, when you are home and your guard has dropped.

The Fourth of July can create one of the riskiest moments in the summer fraud calendar. For scammers, the holiday brings a predictable distraction window.

Families may be spread out, busy with cookouts or traveling between gatherings. Adult children may be focused on their own kids and plans. Older relatives may spend time alone before or after the main celebration. That can make it harder to quickly confirm whether an emergency call or text feels real.

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This is when impersonation scams can hit harder. A scammer may pretend to be a grandchild, relative or close friend who needs money fast. The story may involve a car accident, an arrest, a lost phone or a travel problem.

The timing helps the scam. A line like "Don't call your son right now, he's at a barbecue with the kids" can sound believable during a holiday weekend. Banks may have reduced hours, families may be harder to reach and a fake crisis can feel more urgent when everyone's schedule has already changed.

The FBI's IC3 has warned that major holiday periods can bring elevated impersonation and emergency scam activity.

Who they're targeting this week: Seniors who live alone, recent widows or widowers and families whose normal communication has been disrupted by holiday plans. Scammers want a moment when someone may act before they can check the story with a trusted relative.

Many people think the danger ends when the call ends. Scammers may see it differently. By mid-July, fraud operations may start a follow-up cycle. If you were targeted earlier in the summer, that interaction may have been recorded. That can happen even if you never sent money. Sharing your name, phone number or other details can still make you more valuable to scammers.

That information may get added to what scammers often call a "sucker list." In other words, it is a list of people who responded to a scam attempt or appeared likely to engage. Those lists can be sold or shared with other criminals. A week or two later, a new caller may show up with a different story. Some pose as fraud recovery services and claim they can help you get your money back for a small fee. Others use a completely different pitch, phone number or angle, making the second scam harder to connect to the first one.

AARP's Fraud Watch Network has documented that people who have been scammed once are significantly more likely to be targeted again within the same calendar year. The summer doesn't close the fraud cycle. It seeds it.

What they're collecting this week: Whether you might respond again, how much money you may have paid, whether you reported the scam and whether your family knows. Those details can help scammers decide how to target you next.

Every phase of this summer scam calendar depends on the same thing: personal data. The more scammers know about you, the easier it becomes to make a fake rental, emergency call or fraud alert feel real.

Many scams now start with research. Before a scammer calls, they may already know your name, home address, relatives, travel habits, marital status or financial clues. That information can come from data broker sites, which collect public records, marketing data, social media activity and family connections into searchable profiles.

That is why I personally recommend using a personal data removal service. It can help remove your information from hundreds of data broker and people-search websites, including sites that may list your name, address, relatives, phone numbers and other personal details.

When vacation photos get scraped, genealogy details appear online or public records get connected to family information, ongoing removal requests can help keep that information from staying in circulation.

You can also run a free exposure scan to see where your personal information may already appear online. Results typically arrive by email within an hour.

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You don't have to cancel your trip or skip the Fourth of July. But a few specific habits will make you a much harder target across all six weeks. 

Book rentals only through platforms with verified buyer protection-never pay via wire transfer, Zelle, or gift cards, regardless of the reason given. Tell your bank your travel dates so unusual activity gets flagged. And wait until you're home to post vacation photos publicly. A beach photo posted after you're back shares a memory. One posted while you're still there shares your location, your timeline, and a signal that your house is empty.

Use your phone's cellular data, not hotel or airport Wi-Fi, for anything involving banking or email. If you must use public networks, a VPN encrypts your connection before it leaves your device. Turn off your phone's auto-connect to open networks so it doesn't join unfamiliar Wi-Fi without your permission.

9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU

Establish a code word with your grandchildren now, before summer starts. Tell them: if you ever call in an emergency, you'll use it. If the caller doesn't know the word, it's not you. Tell elderly relatives the same thing. Create a simple rule: no one in this family will ever ask for emergency money over the phone from an unknown number, no matter how convincing the story sounds.

Check every financial account for activity that happened during your trip. Search your own name on Spokeo or Whitepages and see exactly what a scammer sees. And if you haven't taken steps to remove your personal information from data broker sites, this is the moment to start.

Scammers do not take the summer off. They plan around the exact weeks when retirees travel, post photos, use public Wi-Fi and gather with family around major holidays. The six-week stretch from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July can create several openings at once. Fake rentals can appear before trips begin. Grandparent scams can feel more believable once school ends. Vacation photos can reveal who is away, where they are and when they plan to return. The biggest lesson is that these scams run on personal data. Your name, relatives, address, travel habits and financial clues may already sit on data broker sites where criminals can find them. Reducing that exposure and setting family rules before an emergency call comes in can make you a much harder target. Your summer belongs to you. Do not let scammers build their calendar around it.

Have you or someone in your family ever been targeted by a vacation, grandparent or holiday scam, and what warning sign do you wish you had noticed sooner? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Airline CEO who counted cards now bets premium perks can win over fliers

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has argued that travelers will pay more for a better overall flying experience, and United’s numbers suggest his theory is correct.

Years ago, Kirby was a serious and successful gambler who learned to count cards. He’s still banned from several casinos in Las Vegas, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Kirby has worked in the airline industry for decades and still approaches business decisions with a gambler’s mindset, according to the Journal. His strategy for United centers on investing in upgraded aircraft, more premium seating options, improved onboard internet (the company is partnering with Starklink), upgraded food and drink options and a useful mobile app that makes flying less stressful.

Kirby spent seven years as president of US Airways (2006–2013) before becoming president of American Airlines following its merger with US Airways in 2013. He later joined United Airlines as president in 2016 and became CEO in 2020.

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While American Airlines remains the nation's largest carrier by passenger volume, Delta has been at the top of industry rankings for years. Forbes Travel Guide named it the best U.S. airline in 2025, citing its food and drink offerings, customer service and complimentary Wi-Fi as reasons for the accolade. Forbes also bestowed Delta with several other "best of" awards for its perks, including some planes' memory-foam-padded recliners, flat-bed seating and toiletry kits.

The outlet also named Delta’s One Lounge at JFK Airport the "best U.S. Airline lounge" for its luxurious three-course meals, shower suites, relaxation pods with massage chairs and spa treatments.

The Wall Street Journal named Delta the best airline in the U.S. for four consecutive years (2021–2024), though it fell behind Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air in the Journal's 2025 rankings.

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In taking over United, Kirby announced the "United Next" growth strategy. At the time of its launch in 2021, the company announced in a press release that it would be purchasing 270 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft, "the largest combined order in the airline's history and the biggest by an individual carrier in the last decade."

The release also said the initiative included plans for a "nose-to-tail" retrofit of "100 percent of remaining mainline, narrow-body fleet to transform the customer experience and create a new signature interior – a roughly 75% increase in premium seats per North American departure, larger overhead bins, seatback entertainment in every seat and industry’s fastest available WiFi."

United touted "the best customer experience in the industry." The company’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, said the company would "offer the most premium seats in North America, taking a different, more customer-friendly approach."

"The more we invest, the more we win," Kirby told the Journal.

According to the publication, "United's stock has doubled since 2021, and together United and Delta accounted for more than 90 percent of U.S. airline industry profits last year."

Kirby wasn’t always so invested in providing customers with a premium experience, according to the Journal. At US Airways, he reportedly advocated for charging customers for water.

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"I can do 180 degrees in a second," Kirby said. "If the evidence changes, I can change my mind."

Several Reddit forums are dedicated to discussions comparing United and Delta. Many commentators contrasted the airlines’ credit card rewards and the likelihood of upgrades with each one.

"At the end of the day, they’re basically the top two airlines in the country," wrote one Redditor. "It’s entirely your taste... Many of my friends fly for Delta and absolutely love it. I can only say great things about both companies."

"I have good experiences with both and not so good to absolutely horrible with both," wrote another. "Air travel these days is a roll of the dice."

Kirby himself said he's been surprised at "how much difference you can make by investing in all of those things."

Kirby also said he did take inspiration from Delta, "But we long ago stopped copying them." He said he tells United executives, "Your job is wow," meaning he wants the company's initiatives to impress customers.

Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian said United copying his company is "smart."

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The Journal profile of Kirby said he is "audacious" with "grand ambitions." It noted that he publicly discussed the possibility of a merger with American Airlines, though President Trump said he didn’t like the idea of a merger between the two rivals.

"American's public comments make it clear that a merger like this is off the table for the foreseeable future," Kirby wrote in a release issued by United in April.

"I do think it's worth taking the time to describe in some more detail what this could have looked like," he added to the lengthy statement.

Delta and United will have plenty of opportunity to compete for passengers, it appears. Americans set a record for domestic air travel last year, as TSA screened 2.57 million more passengers in 2025 compared to 2024, FOX Business reported.

The Bureau of Transportation reported in May 2026 that aviation fuel in March was up 56.4 percent, consumption increased 19.5 percent, and fuel cost per gallon was up 30.9 percent compared to February 2026. Kirby said in a March interview with Bloomberg TV that ticket prices could consequently surge 15-20%.

Fox News Digital reached out to United Airlines for comment.

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Numerous Knicks fans arrested, cop injured during Game 2 NBA Finals celebration near MSG

The NYPD reversed its ban on New York Knicks watch parties for the NBA Finals, but after Game 2, it may be regretting that decision.

Fans got so rowdy during the Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals run that the NYPD put a stop to watch parties outside Madison Square Garden. But when the Knicks clinched their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, the department said the party was back on.

The Knicks will come home with a 2-0 series lead on Monday, but Game 2's victory, the biggest for the Knicks in a generation, brought about unruly behavior outside the Garden.

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After the Knicks' 105-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, ABC7 reported that 17 people were arrested, including one on charges of allegedly striking a police officer and injuring him.

Police said fans became "increasingly disorderly" as the game went on, the outlet reported.

The officer who was injured was the victim of punches by a fan who entered and then refused to leave a restricted area.

KNICKS' KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS PRAISES NYPD AMID ROWDY WATCH PARTIES DURING NBA FINALS RUN

One person accused of selling counterfeit merchandise was also charged with possessing a loaded firearm.

The department said fans stopped traffic on Seventh and Eighth avenues between 31st and 35th streets and climbed on light poles, subway entrances and food vendor carts.

Madison Square Garden also hosted watch parties inside the arena for each of the first two Finals games.

The Spurs fought back from a 14-point deficit to take the lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter, but with the game tied at 104, Victor Wembanyama threw a pass off an unaware teammate's back and Jalen Brunson stole the ball. Brunson was fouled and hit one of two free throws to take the lead. Wembanyama then took a potential game-winning shot but missed the mark.

Game 3 will be Monday night in New York, with President Donald Trump slated to attend.

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World Series champion John Smoltz reveals what it takes to win the American Century Championship

Most people know Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz for his prowess on the mound, but the 59-year-old has also become quite the golfer.

Smoltz qualified for the U.S. Senior Open in 2018 and is hoping to do so again this year. He said his game is in the best place it has ever been and credited his health for where it is today.

"The game is in its best place. The goal is you always wish you could play tomorrow when the game is in its best place, but that's the beauty of golf. You know, you got to have it when it counts," Smoltz told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

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"The game is at a point now at 59 where I trust some of the things that I can do because I'm physically more able with two new hips and some procedures done. I'm at a point where I know that if I can continue to get a little bit better around the green, I'm going to play the kind of golf I want to play."

Smoltz will be competing in this year’s American Century Championship, which takes place July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe. The Atlanta Braves legend has come close to winning, finishing in second place last year to NHL great Joe Pavelski, but has never won.

The American Century Championship uses a Modified Stableford scoring system rather than traditional stroke play, which means that instead of counting total strokes, players are instead awarded points based on their score for each hole.

An albatross is worth 10 points, a hole-in-one is worth eight points, an eagle is worth six points, a birdie is worth three points, a par is worth one point, a bogey is worth nothing and anything two over par or worse is worth minus two points.

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Smoltz said he has not started nearly fast enough in the first round, forcing him to play catch-up.

"I get off to a slow start. Every tournament I rally second and third round with too big of a hole. I make a ton of pars. It's so frustrating to say that I make a ton of pars. That would be normally good, but it's not in this tournament. I think at one point I made 29 pars in a row in one tournament and it was nauseating. It was like I'd rather bite the head of my putter off because you only get one point for a par," Smoltz said.

Smoltz attributed his slower starts to a conservative mindset and stressed the importance of making birdie putts.

"You get three times the value for a birdie. So, like last year, I think I made seven or eight birdies the last round to finish second. Couldn't chase down Pavelski, but I'm like, where has that been? Where's those birdies in the first round?" Smoltz said.

"So, I definitely have to get off to a better start. I kind of am too conservative in a first round of a three-round tournament, which always puts me in the mix, but doesn't give me the best fighting chance to maximize a round when I'm hitting the ball pretty good."

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Smoltz played in the American Century Championship in 2000, when he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the whole season, and got permission from his late, legendary manager Bobby Cox to go play.

"I had a sneak preview of it when I was playing. I had Tommy John surgery. I had the greatest manager in the world in Bobby Cox. He let me play because I was out all year and that was when it was stroke play back in the day, when Michael Jordan and all those high-level athletes were playing in stroke play. I did okay. I hung my own," Smoltz said.

The World Series champion called the event something you mark on your calendar and said it’s a great event.

"American Century is unbelievable. They do a great job putting on the event all these years. It's a mark on your calendar and nothing-better-get-in-the-way type event. But I think the biggest thing about the golf course and just the whole thing is I get so excited to play and want to win so bad that I have to temper all of that when I get there," Smoltz said.

The tournament has raised more than $8 million for regional and national charities. American Century Investments donates 40% of its profits to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and activates fundraising at the tournament to drive direct donations to Stowers each year.

The tournament will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

The eight-time All-Star spent 21 seasons in the big leagues, 20 of those with the Braves. He spent his last season with the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox.

Smoltz has a career record of 213-155, an ERA of 3.33 and 154 saves, as he converted to a reliever for a few seasons after his Tommy John surgery.

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Bill replacing 'mother' and 'father' with gender-neutral terms passes in New York, heads to Hochul's desk

New York Democrats recently passed a bill that would remove the words "mother" and "father" from parts of state law, sending the legislation to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for final approval.

Under the new bill, targeting state child custody and parental laws, "mother" becomes "gestating parent," "father" becomes "non-gestating parent," and "paternity" becomes "parentage."

It passed in the state Senate this week after progressing through the Assembly in March.

WISCONSIN GOVERNOR'S PUSH TO ERASE GENDERED LANGUAGE FROM STATE LAW IGNITES DEBATE

Democrats who drafted the legislation claimed the wording shift would promote "inclusivity," while critics claim the change is unnecessary, with the legislative session having ended for the year on Thursday, FOX 5 New York reported.

Hochul said during a news conference that she isn’t familiar with the proposal, but promised to review it.

"I have until the end of the year to review them and make a decision, so I won't be commenting on pending legislation," Hochul said.

80% OF AMERICANS OPPOSE GENDER CRAZINESS BUT THE LEFT STILL CLING TO IT

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman shared multiple posts responding to the bill on social media Friday.

"In Kathy Hochul’s New York, 'mom' is now defined as 'gestating parent,'" Blakeman wrote. "Not when I’m Governor! I’ll stand up for moms and dads against this insanity."

"This bill is a continuation of Hochul’s war on families, and I won't stop fighting until we take New York back," he added.

Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., reacted to the bill on X Thursday, saying, "The party that can’t define a woman is now rewriting New York law to erase mothers and fathers. Only in Albany could 'mom' and 'dad' become too controversial."

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Kyle Busch's wife, Samantha, breaks silence two weeks after NASCAR driver's stunning death

Samantha Busch, the wife of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, made her first public comments Friday, just over two weeks after his stunning death.

Busch, 41, died May 21 after a battle with pneumonia turned into sepsis. The two-time NASCAR champion collapsed during a simulator session ahead of the Coca-Cola 600, and was rushed to the hospital. He died the next day.

A private memorial was held for Busch earlier this week.

Samantha Busch took to Instagram Friday for the first time since her husband's death, thanking fans for their support in a lengthy post:

NASCAR, RACING WORLD REACTS TO KYLE BUSCH'S SHOCKING DEATH AT 41: 'CANNOT COMPREHEND THIS NEWS'

"As a family, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you. The prayers, messages, flowers, meals, hugs, and countless acts of kindness have carried us through the most heartbreaking days of our lives. While our hearts are absolutely shattered, we have felt God’s presence and arms wrapped tightly around us through each and every one of you.

"The love that has surrounded our family during this unimaginable time has brought comfort in the middle of so much pain. Knowing the impact Kyle had on others and seeing how they are honoring him through each unique act of generosity is a true testament to how special Kyle is to so many people.

"There are moments when the weight of this loss feels impossible to carry, yet time and time again God, through you all, has shown us we are not alone. From family and friends to fans and complete strangers, thank you for showing up for us. Thank you for loving our family so well. Thank you for loving Kyle. Thank you for honoring him.

"We may never find the words to fully express what your support has meant to us, but please know that we are deeply grateful."

Busch was a two-time Cup champion and undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer. He'd been in the Cup Series since 2004, making 762 career starts with 63 wins.

The 41-year-old won the championship in 2015 and 2019, and had 234 victories across all three NASCAR national series.

Busch is the all-time record-holder for wins in both the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (102) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (69).

Busch's 234th and final NASCAR win came at Dover one week before his death, when he led 147 laps in a dominating Truck Series victory.

"You never know when the last one is," Busch said after the win.

Busch made his mark in NASCAR during his time with Joe Gibbs Racing, where he spent the majority of his career and won the two championships. He left JGR for Richard Childress Racing after the 2022 season, and won three times during his first season.

Busch's last Cup Series win came in June 2023. While he struggled for much of this season, he did start on the pole in February's Daytona 500 and was coming off a season-best finish of eighth four weeks ago at Watkins Glen.

Kyle's 11-year-old son, Brexton, returned to the racetrack earlier this week for the first time since his dad's death.

Richard Childress Racing announced last month that Busch's No. 8 would be suspended permanently unless Brexton wanted to use it should he enter the series.

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Sunny Hostin breaks with 'The View' co-hosts, calls America a ‘failed experiment’

Sunny Hostin said America was a "failed experiment" Friday on "The View" as the panel debated President Donald Trump, national pride and America's approaching 250th anniversary.

Hostin said her criticism went beyond embarrassment with the current administration.

"Why I am conflicted about this country because I feel that it is at this point a failed experiment, quite frankly," Hostin said. "I am also discouraged by how this country is viewed by the rest of the world."

The comment came after the co-hosts discussed Trump's plan to host a UFC event on the White House lawn as part of America's 250th birthday celebration. The conversation turned to whether Americans could be ashamed of Trump and his policies while still feeling proud of the country.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG ARGUES AMERICA IS 'DE-BALLED' AND UNSERIOUS ON THE WORLD STAGE

Hostin listed several reasons she said she was embarrassed by the United States.

"I’m embarrassed at our government," Hostin said. "I’m embarrassed at our lack of healthcare. I’m embarrassed on the assault on the press. I’m embarrassed of our Congress. I’m embarrassed by the criminal felon president that is in the Oval Office that has a UFC cage on the White House lawn."

She said the country's global standing was also part of her concern.

"I’m embarrassed about all those things, and I’m also embarrassed at how America is now seen across the globe," Hostin said.

SUNNY HOSTIN BLAMES AMERICA AFTER CRITICS SAY SHE BRINGS UP RACE TOO OFTEN: 'EVERYTHING IS ABOUT RACE'

"I don’t think that many Americans understand that we are part of a wonderful global community, and when you look at our ally, our allies are now giving us a one-star rating as a country."

Alyssa Farah Griffin pressed Hostin on whether she believed the country could recover.

"You think it’s beyond redemption at this point?" Griffin asked.

Hostin reiterated that the country was not merely struggling, but failing.

COMEDIAN SAYS AMERICAN PRIDE IS BACK: 'IT FEELS LIKE WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO IS PUTTING AMERICA FIRST'

"I think at this point it is failing," Hostin said.

When Griffin asked whether elections or a change in leadership could bring the country back, Hostin referenced a private conversation with former President Bill Clinton.

"I spoke to President Clinton when he was here off camera, and he believes that it’s going to take this country decades to recover from what has been done," Hostin said.

Hostin's comments contrasted with the rest of the panel, who criticized Trump and the government but said they remained proud of America.

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Ana Navarro said she could separate her view of the country from her view of the current government.

"I think you can separate feeling proud of America, feeling proud of being an American, feeling proud of the exceptionalism and resilience of this country and feeling really ashamed and embarrassed and horrified by the American government right now," Navarro said.

"So, yes, yes, dammit, I am ashamed of it, but I will never stop being proud of being an American," Navarro said.

Sarah Haines also said she remained proud of the country while calling it imperfect.

"It’s an imperfect social experiment and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else," Haines said.

Griffin said she counted herself among Americans who were proud of the country.

"Count me among the two-thirds of Americans who are very proud to be American," Griffin said. "I don’t think that means you can’t acknowledge our country has tremendous flaws and call this country an experiment in democracy because it’s not guaranteed."

The White House responded to Hostin's remarks in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Sunny Hostin is an extremely unlikable, talentless hack with a poorly rated TV show who clearly suffers from a severe and incurable disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said. "I lose brain cells every single time I have the displeasure of hearing her speak."

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