Whoopi Goldberg is facing backlash after some pointed remarks about the US and Iran this week.
On Wednesday morning, during the latest episode of “The View,” Goldberg appeared to claim that life in the US is just as bad as it is in Iran during a heated clash with her co-host, Alyssa Farah Griffin.
The argument began as the panel, which also included co-hosts Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines, debated the correct course of action the US should take as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate in the Middle East.
“Let’s just remember, too, the Iranians literally throw gay people off of buildings,” Griffin, 36, said. “They don’t adhere to basic human rights or international law.”
It was then that Goldberg, 69, pushed back and suggested that the US was no better than Iran when it came to the country’s treatment of “gay folks” and “Black people.”
“Let’s not do that, because if we start with that, we have been known in this country to tie gay folks to the car,” she charged, adding that the US “used to just keep hanging Black people.”
Griffin quickly fired back and insisted that the modern-day US is “nothing like” Iran.
“The year 2025 in the United States is nothing like if I stepped foot wearing this outfit in Tehran right now,” she argued, referencing Iran’s capital.
“Not if you’re Black,” Goldberg retorted after Griffin repeated her point that it’s different to live in America in 2025 versus Iran.
“Uh, guys, don’t go to Tehran,” Griffin responded. “Do not. No one at this table can go to Tehran.”
Although Goldberg conceded that the US “is the greatest country in the world,” she also emphasized that there are still issues “Black people” face every day.
“But every day, we are worried,” the comedian said. “Do we have to be worried about our kids? Are their kids going to get shot because they’re running through somebody’s neighborhood?”
“They are not big deals,” she added, “and I don’t mean to say they’re not big deals to you, because that’s not what I meant.”
Griffin then agreed that there are “very real problems” in the US, but there are also “places much darker” than America.
“Nobody wants to diminish the very real problems we have in this country,” she said shortly before Goldberg cut her off. “That is no one’s intent, but I think it’s important we remember there are places much darker than this country, and people who deserve rights…”
“Listen, not everybody feels that way,” Goldberg interrupted. “Not everybody feels that way. Listen, I’m sorry, you know, when you think about the fact that we got the vote in 1965…”
“They don’t have free and fair elections in Iran!” Griffin then interjected. “It’s not even the same universe!”
Although Behar, 82, attempted to cut in and calm both Goldberg and Griffin down, the pair continued their debate.
Goldberg ultimately ended the argument by announcing that “The View” had to take a commercial break.
The comedian faced major backlash on social media after the clip of her and Griffin’s clash went viral.
“She is delusional,” one person tweeted regarding the “Sister Act” star’s comments, while another critic commented, “Utter insanity to suggest this.”
“Why does she not leave then? Since it’s so awful and horrible here and everywhere else is so much better, then why doesn’t she move?” a third person responded on X. “Because she knows that it’s not that bad and she’s just lying for money.”
“Says a woman making 8 million a year,” another person tweeted. “Yeah, right.”
Goldberg and Griffin’s war of words on Wednesday came just days after the “View” co-hosts argued about the presence of ICE agents and the military in California during the Los Angeles protests and riots.
The Post has reached out to Goldberg’s rep for comment.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
