Whoopi Goldberg Faces Backlash Over Controversial Joke About Hypothetical Incident Involving Trump
Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of ABC News’ The View, is under scrutiny for a controversial remark she made during a recent discussion about the incoming Trump administration. The comment, interpreted by some as a joke in poor taste, touched on a hypothetical situation involving former President Donald Trump, sparking backlash from conservatives and political commentators.
The Controversial Remarks
Goldberg’s remarks came during a conversation about key figures within the Trump administration, including Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and Elon Musk, who Trump tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.). Referring to Musk’s prominent role, Goldberg quipped, “I’ve been saying it for a while—I think Elon Musk believes he’s president. I do.”
Continuing her critique of the administration’s power dynamics, Goldberg added, “Who’s in charge? I’ve called [Musk] vice president, I’ve called him president because I don’t know what J.D. is doing. I don’t remember the last time we even talked about J.D.” She then made a remark that drew significant attention: “Hey, you know who [Trump]—stay away from the stairways. Because, you know, people put their leg out to trip you going down the stairs. Watch out.”
Goldberg’s Attempt to Clarify
After a commercial break, Goldberg addressed the backlash in real-time, attempting to clarify her comments. “I need to clean something up,” she said. “My cat lays in wait for me on my stairs all the time, and that’s what I was thinking of. I wasn’t trying to indicate that anyone was actually standing there with their legs out, hoping [Trump] would trip.”
Sunny Hostin, a fellow co-host, supported Goldberg, saying, “Nobody wants anything bad to happen to the president.” Goldberg added, “No, it was light-hearted, and it’s the holidays. My goodness.” She acknowledged the difficulty of navigating sensitive topics on live television, saying, “There’s no way not to step in it on this show. For those who are upset, I was inspired by my cat’s antics—not any real scenario.”
Reaction from Conservatives
Despite Goldberg’s efforts to clarify her statement, her remarks sparked a strong reaction from conservative commentators. Nicholas Fondacaro of the Media Research Center tweeted, “ABC News moderators Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar claim Elon Musk and J.D. Vance are planning to kill Trump and usurp control of the government together as Musk/Vance. ‘[Trump] stay away from the stairways.’ – Whoopi.”
CNN contributor Scott Jennings also weighed in, comparing Goldberg’s scrutiny of Trump’s administration to what he perceives as a lack of similar questioning under President Biden. Jennings stated, “Who is in charge? Whoopi wonders aloud about Trump, on the day that the WSJ reveals Biden has been ‘diminished’ for the last four years and unelected staff have been running the country.”
Broader Implications
The incident has reignited debates about the tone and responsibility of political commentary in media. Critics argue that public figures like Goldberg have a duty to maintain decorum, especially in an era of heightened political tension. Others defended her remarks as part of the unscripted, candid nature of The View.
Goldberg’s comments have underscored the challenges of balancing humor, critique, and sensitivity in political discourse, particularly on live television. The broader conversation now focuses on whether media personalities should face stricter accountability for their statements, especially when addressing polarizing figures like Trump.
The full segment can be viewed below:
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