“The View” co-host Meghan McCain Meghan Marguerite McCainKasich to Meghan McCain: Concern over abortion 'dwarfed' by need to beat Trump Meghan McCain says she believes report Trump called fallen soldiers 'losers' Meghan McCain hits Ivanka Trump's defense of president's Twitter: It's not a 'communication style,' it's 'cruelty' MORE says she “really regrets” calling Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonFox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio Trump, Biden court Black business owners in final election sprint The power of incumbency: How Trump is using the Oval Office to win reelection MORE “crooked” last year, blaming the attack on a night of drinking the evening before.

McCain explained in an interview published Thursday that she went out with friends the night before taping the show in which she said, “I call her Crooked Hillary! I hate Hillary Clinton.”

“I apologized on TV and said that I was contributing to the polarization of this country,” McCain tells Elle about the 2018 episode of “The View.” “I really regret saying that. She was friends with my dad. It’s really not fair.”

ADVERTISEMENT

McCain also discussed the 2020 presidential election, which includes as a top Democratic candidate former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE, who was also friends with the late Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainAnalysis: Biden victory, Democratic sweep would bring biggest boost to economy The Memo: Trump's strengths complicate election picture Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' MORE (R-Ariz.), McCain’s father.

Biden gave a tribute and was a pallbearer at John McCain’s funeral, and he and Meghan McCain had an emotional reunion on “The View,” during which Biden spoke about the senator and his late son Beau, both of whom died of brain cancer.

McCain said she wants to see what Biden’s ultimate campaign message will be, and she has been wondering what her father would think of his campaign.

“Even if I did endorse him, it would hurt him,” McCain said. “I love Biden in a way that I loved my father."

“I keep trying to think of what my dad would do in this situation,” McCain continued. “I want to see what Biden’s message will be. If he’s the person I know he is, it’s going to be very tough [to remain neutral].”

McCain also said she is excited about South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE’s campaign, and she “squealed” when the interviewer told her that Buttigieg’s spokeswoman, Lis Smith, said the mayor was inspired by the former senator’s own White House campaign.

“She said that?” McCain asked. “I gotta look that up. He’s a great candidate in a lot of different ways. I like that he’s talking to the middle of the country and talking about religion. It’s fascinating that we’re having conversations about him as a white male and completely leaving out the fact that he’s gay.”

McCain also discussed her role as a conservative voice on “The View.” She said she would “be considered a leftist” on Fox News, but she regularly clashes with her Democratic co-hosts, such as Joy Behar Josephine (Joy) Victoria BeharChelsea Clinton: Trump isn't building public confidence in a vaccine Chris Matthews ripped for complimenting Trump's 'true presidential behavior' on Ginsburg Black GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview MORE.

“The explosion in the culture war, which has happened with the rise of [President] Trump, has made me more conservative. No Republican is good enough for a certain group of people. All Republicans are evil to a certain segment of the media,” McCain says. “And you become more tribal, and more territorial of your people and what you represent. And that has certainly happened to me.”