Meghan McCain's exit from "The View" was a long time coming, a source says.
"She's been wanting to get out, especially since she now lives in the DC area with her family. She doesn't want to come back to New York and be a part of that show. She's been miserable since she started," a source told Page Six.
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On July 1, the conservative firebrand announced that she's leaving the ABC show once the current season ends later this month.
"ABC begged for her to stay, [and] she said, 'No — I'm done! I'm not staying anymore,'" the source said, adding that the network had "even offered a contributor role on ABC News, which she turned down."
During her four-season run on "The View," Meghan was often combative with the other co-hosts, especially Joy Behar. TMZ said that the culture on the show, in addition to not wanting to leave Washington D.C., played into Meghan's decision.
"She's just had enough. She doesn't need it anymore — she really doesn't need it," the insider said. "The number of people who exit the show, it's a joke. It's a game there. It's under the news division and … they thrive off women fighting. Everyone leaves there with their hair on fire. It's really vicious."
A second source said, "People have loved hurting her and being cruel to her the entire time she's been there."
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Still, Meghan gave an amicable goodbye while announcing her decision this week.
"I'm just going to rip the bandaid off," she said at the top of the show. "I am here to tell all of you, my wonderful cohorts and viewers at home: This is going to be my last season here at 'The View.'"
Meghan said the decision wasn't easy.
"On a professional note, this show is one of the hands-down greatest most exhilarating most wonderful privileges of my entire life," she said.
