Whoopi Goldberg, the beloved co-host of The View, has stirred up some heavy waves of backlash for remarks claiming she has to 'work for a living.' During the show's November 12 episode, Goldberg's comments likening her own financial struggles to those of middle-class Americans struck many viewers as out of touch, particularly considering her impressive net worth, reportedly around $45 million.
"I appreciate people are having a hard time. Me too. I work for a living," Goldberg stated during the discussion about Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory. She went on to stress, "If I had all the money in the world, I would not be here, OK? So, I’m a working person." This self-identification as 'working class' did not sit well with many fans, several of whom took to social media to voice their disapproval, characterizing her comments as tone-deaf.
Comments from fans reflected the discontent: one user noted, "Whoopi Goldberg claims she’s a ‘working class American’ and her family currently knows the struggles of affording groceries.. She has a net worth of $45 MILLION. 🤦♂️🤦♂️" Another stated, "If she’s working class, I’m starving class." This mix of humor and outrage continued across numerous posts, as others chimed in with sarcastic remarks about the last time Goldberg likely set foot inside a grocery store.
This incident marks the latest controversy for Goldberg, who has recently been under fire for comments made on air where she chastised grocery store owners as "pigs," claiming they were unjustly raising prices amid rising inflation. "Your pocketbook is bad, not because the Bidens did anything. Not because the economy is bad. Your grocery bills are what they are because the folks who own the groceries are pigs," she remarked during the November 7 episode of The View.
Goldberg’s defense, aligning her struggles with those of working-class families, overlooks the key distinctions many feel are present. Amidst inflation, consumers across the country have been feeling the pinch at the grocery store, making Goldberg's comments on financial struggles seem especially misaligned with the realities faced by the average American family.
Also floating around the View news world recently was the unusual scenario when co-host Sara Haines walked off the set during Goldberg's segment, which was intended to be lighthearted, celebrating the actress's 69th birthday. The moment unfolded as Goldberg joked about being visually represented on cheese during the episode. "I always wanted my face printed on cheese," she quipped, leading to the cheeky admission, "I like to be eaten from time to time."
Haines’ wide-eyed reaction underscored the absurdity of the moment, and she made a quick exit from the set, eliciting laughter and cheers from the audience. Once she returned, Haines and Goldberg shared a hug, with Goldberg humorously waving off the suggestive comment. Such moments of levity are common on daytime talk shows, serving to provide comedic relief amid seriously pointed conversations, but they quickly pivot back to pressing issues when discussing real-world affairs.
This juxtaposition of humorous commentary and serious social issues reflects the broader conversation about the experiences of those working diligently across various industries, particularly as inflation continues to challenge households nationwide.
Goldberg's remarks, it seems, have only added fuel to the fire of scrutiny directed toward celebrities and their often cushioned realities compared to the everyday struggles of their audiences. The backlash serves as both critique and reminder of the need for public figures to recognize and respect the experiences of those they claim to resonate with. It’s clear from the reaction on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and various meme pages, many viewers are not hesitating to express their frustrations and remind celebrities of the tangible differences between their lives and those of everyday working Americans.
While Whoopi Goldberg has undoubtedly had her share of happiness and success throughout her career, her comments on this occasion reveal the fine line public figures tread when discussing issues of class and hardship. The expectation for them to be relatable can lead to missteps when personalizing their own situations to those of the working class without fully acknowledging the economic divides at play. It is this disconnect, more than the comments themselves, that's drawing criticism.
All this leaves one wondering: what will be the response from Goldberg and her fellow co-hosts moving forward? Will they adjust their conversational tone on serious matters, or will they continue to weave personal anecdotes amid broader societal issues? Time will tell, but for now, the icy reception from viewers is clear—many are tuning out when celebrities fail to genuinely reflect the struggles they face every day.
