Whoopi Goldberg may be missing from The View this week, yet she continues to make headlines—not only for her lavish vacation but also for the ongoing repercussions of her recent contentious remarks. The 69-year-old EGOT recipient is currently in Italy to accept an award for her memoir Bits and Pieces, resulting in her absence from the show for the entire week. Co-host Joy Behar announced this during Monday’s episode, adding a humorous touch to the news.
“We’re all envious of Whoopi today because she’s in Italy. I hope it’s 100 degrees there,” Behar joked as the show began. “She’s accepting an award for her book Bits and Pieces, so she won’t be here this week.” Behar took the lead in moderating the discussion in Goldberg’s absence, with Ana Navarro joining Monday’s “Hot Topics” segment. The program is set to begin its annual summer break on June 30 and is anticipated to return with the full cast, including Goldberg, on July 7.
Not every viewer is missing Whoopi’s presence, however. The outspoken co-host recently faced harsh criticism after claiming that Black Americans are “as oppressed” as those living under the Iranian regime, a comparison that sparked considerable backlash across social media platforms.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Absence Triggers Backlash
Following the announcement of her time away from the show, social media was inundated with sharp responses. Many questioned the timing of her leave, and others demanded her permanent dismissal. One user bluntly wrote, “Hope this racist woman would do us a favor and stay in Italy.” Another commented, “Highly racist woman and should be sacked… Disgraceful, uneducated woman.” Several others added remarks such as, “Skipped or suspended?” and “Lol, right! She just suddenly decided to take a break after more idiotic comments.” Another voice suggested, “Or is ABC just trying to cover up the fact that they suspended her after those dumb comments she made.”
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Meanwhile, Goldberg shared a photo from her appearance at the 15th annual Taobuk-Taormina International Book Festival on social media. She expressed gratitude saying, “Thank you (Grazie!) @taobukfestival for giving me a beautiful experience in an extraordinary environment, an honorable award and your kindness.” She added, “Books are so important to all the world.”
Goldberg was honored with the Taobuk Award for her memoir, Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother and Me. Yet whether her absence is a planned hiatus or a convenient retreat from controversy, it’s evident that The View remains divided behind the scenes as much as it is on screen.
