‘The View’ Host Whoopi Goldberg Tears Up On-Air Clarification request Over Trump Autopen Joke
NEW YORK, November 2, 2023 – Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of ABC’s “The View,” visibly reacted with frustration on Friday’s broadcast, tearing up a note passed to her by co-host Sunny Hostin requesting clarification that a previous comment about Donald Trump using an autopen to sign a pardon was a joke. the incident sparked a debate on the show about the understanding of nuance and humor in political commentary.
The exchange began after Hostin referenced Trump’s financial dealings and questioned why Goldberg hadn’t addressed a specific detail regarding a pardon issued by the former president. Hostin pointedly asked, “He said that Joe Biden didn’t know who he was pardoning using an autopen. How come you don’t know who this guy is?” Goldberg initially responded with a joke, stating, “as he used an autopen.”
Later, Hostin passed a note to Goldberg during a discussion. Upon receiving it, Goldberg exclaimed, “What the hell? What?” and then, reading the note, said, “We don’t know if Trump used an autopen to pardon, it was a joke!” She proceeded to tear up the note.
“I’m sorry.The hardest thing about this job now is no one understands nuance.You know when you hear a joke,when somebody is fooling around,when they’re not saying something specific. Especially on this show. I’m vrey specific when I’m pointing stuff out. When I’m making jokes, you know when I’m making jokes. This is ridiculous,” Goldberg stated, as the audience applauded.
The incident occurred as the panel transitioned to discussing Trump’s recent defense of ICE raids and his comments on immigration policies. Goldberg continued, expressing her concern over the treatment of immigrants and children appearing in court alone, stating, “We see what’s going on. We see what happens when children are in court by themselves. Come on now, you know exactly what you’re doing, and you seem to be having a good time while you’re doing it.”
