Bill Maher has made his feelings clear on Whoopi Goldberg and The View
The backlash against Whoopi Goldberg’s explosive Iran comments just got louder — and this time, it’s coming from inside the house.
A Screenshot of Whoopi Goldberg Speaking on The View – YouTube, The View
On Friday’s episode of Real Time, HBO host Bill Maher unloaded on The View and specifically called out Goldberg for claiming that life for Black Americans is equivalent to life under Iran’s authoritarian regime. Maher, never one to hold back, called on Democrats to stop turning a blind eye to the show’s increasingly outrageous rhetoric.
“The second step Democrats should take is to do something about The View,” Maher said, in a segment focused on restoring sanity to the American Left.
Bill Maher on Real Time With Bill Maher – YouTube, Real Time With Bill Maher
Maher was joined by Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), who gave a calm but devastating rebuttal to Goldberg’s claim — one grounded in both personal experience and American history.
Hunt: “Don’t Ever Want to Hear Whoopi’s Conversation”
Rep. Hunt, a Black Republican congressman representing a majority-white district in Texas, dismantled Goldberg’s comparison by pointing to his own success story.
“My district in the great state of Texas is actually a White majority district that President Trump would have won by 25 points,” Hunt said. “I’m a direct descendant of a slave, my great-great-grandfather, who was born on Rosedown Plantation. I am literally being judged not by the color of my skin but by the content of my character.”
Bill Maher having dinner with Donald Trump, Kid Rock, and Dana White – YouTube, Real Time With Bill Maher
He continued, “That’s the progress — because a lot of White people had to vote for me. A lot. So I don’t ever want to hear Whoopi Goldberg’s conversation about how it’s worse to be Black in America right now.”
According to Hunt, the progress made in the United States — from slavery to elected office — is not only real but deeply meaningful. He contrasted that with Goldberg’s framing, which he said completely ignores the truth of modern opportunity.
Arnold Schwarzenegger sits with the cast of The View – YouTube, The View
“My father grew up under Jim Crow,” Hunt added. “He is now the father of a United States congressman. That’s America.”
Maher Calls for “A Step Back to Sanity”
Maher pointed out that Democrats had recently taken what he called “a step back to sanity” after The New York Times published pieces distancing itself from radical gender policy positions. But according to the comedian, step two needs to be cleaning up the rhetoric coming from shows like The View.
Goldberg had ignited controversy days earlier when she dismissed descriptions of Iranian abuses — including imprisonment for uncovered hair and execution of individuals based on personal identity.
The hosts of The View applaud Anthony Weiner – YouTube, The View
“Let’s not do that,” Goldberg said. “We have been known in this country to tie folks to the car. Listen, I’m sorry, they used to just keep hanging Black people.”
When co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said those abuses were not comparable to life in America today, Goldberg insisted they were.
“It is the same,” she said.
Whoopi Goldberg speaks about her bookk, “Bits and Pieces,” with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden during a special presentation, May 10, 2024 – Photo Credit Shawn Miller/Library of Congress.
When Griffin stated that life in America was better than life in Iran, Whoopi quickly responded, “Not if you’re Black.”
The Real Atrocities in Iran
Goldberg’s remarks were quickly condemned by Iranian dissidents and experts. As previously reported, Iran executed 975 people in 2024, including political opponents and members of ethnic minorities. Women are monitored by facial recognition software and drones, and can be arrested for appearing in public without a headscarf.
Joy Behar on The View – YouTube, The View
Detainees in Iranian prisons have reported prolonged solitary confinement, physical torture, and even sexual abuse. A young man named Ali Fazeli Monfared was killed by his family after his orientation was outed by state documents. Activist Zahra Seddiqi Hamedani was detained while fleeing the country and sentenced under vague “corruption” charges.
Equating this with life in the United States — where Goldberg, a Black woman, is paid millions to speak her mind freely on daytime television — has sparked outrage not only from conservatives, but from liberals like Maher who believe such rhetoric only damages the credibility of serious political discourse.
Final Word
Whoopi Goldberg has a long history of controversial statements. Now, her latest comparison — pitting American life against one of the world’s most repressive regimes — is earning condemnation from both sides of the aisle.
Bill Maher discusses his dinner at the White House with President Donald Trump – YouTube, Real Time With Bill Maher
Bill Maher is right to ask the question: How long will Democrats pretend The View represents anything close to mainstream thought?
Because right now, it’s not just conservatives asking that question anymore.
How do you feel about Bill Maher calling out The View? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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