Actress Whoopi Goldberg may have just ruined her career with one insensitive remark.
On Monday’s episode of “The View,” Goldberg and her co-hosts were talking about the controversy surrounding the banning of Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel “Maus” in schools.
During the discussion, Goldberg said that the Holocaust “was not about race” which immediately prompted a critical response online.
“If you’re going to do this, then let’s be truthful about it,” Goldberg said during the episode. “Because the Holocaust isn’t about race. No, it’s not about race.”
Co-host Joy Behar asked Goldberg, “Then what was it about?”
“Man’s inhumanity to man,” Goldberg responded. “These are two white groups of people.”
Whoopi Goldberg Apologizes After Severe Backlash Online
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) February 1, 2022
The Anti-Defamation League, the Auschwitz Memorial, the Holocaust Museum, and many other organizations took to social media to criticize Whoopi’s comment, prompting her apology.
No @WhoopiGoldberg, the #Holocaust was about the Nazi’s systematic annihilation of the Jewish people – who they deemed to be an inferior race. They dehumanized them and used this racist propaganda to justify slaughtering 6 million Jews. Holocaust distortion is dangerous. #ENOUGH https://t.co/koS1kuspqV
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) January 31, 2022
“On today’s show, I said the Holocaust ‘is not about race, but about man’s inhumanity to man,’” she began. “I should’ve said it is about both.”
“As Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League shared, ‘The Holocaust was about the Nazi’s systematic annihilation of the Jewish people – who they deemed to be an inferior race.’ I stand corrected.”
“The Jewish people around the world have always had my support and that will never waiver,” she continued. “I’m sorry for the hurt I have caused.”
“Written with my sincerest apologies, Whoopi Goldberg,” she concluded.
Some fans called it a “farce” of an apology, and Whoopi apologized again on Tuesday morning on “The View.”
Whooping Goldberg Issues A Sincere Apology… Again
On Tuesday morning, Whoopi defended her controversial comments by claiming that she “misspoke.”
“I tweeted about it last night but I kind of want you to hear it from me directly,” she said. “I feel a responsibility.”
“My words upset so many people, which was never my intention,” she continued. “I understand why. The information I got was really helpful.”
“I said the Holocaust wasn’t about race and was instead about man’s inhumanity to man,” she went on. “It is indeed about race because Hitler and the Nazis considered Jews to be the inferior race.”
“Words matter and mine are no exception,” she concluded. “I regret my comments and I stand corrected.”
Many fans pointed out that other daytime talk show hosts, like Rosie O’Donnell and Sharon Osbourne had been fired for less. Right now, it’s reported that Whoopi’s agents are scrambling with rumors that Whoopi’s firing is imminent.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Agents Are ‘Panicking’: Is She About To Be Fired?
On Tuesday afternoon, Page Six exclusively reported that Whoopi’s agents are “panicking” amid calls for her to be fired.
“ABC staffers and Disney Network execs are saying Whoopi went way too far,” an ABC inside source reported. “And board members are not happy with her apology and want a fuller retraction. The word is that Whoopi is in ‘deep s–t.'”
“Why does Whoopi seemingly get a pass when others don’t?” the source went on. “Perhaps this time she won’t. Many at the network — including her fellow hosts — believe Whoopi is too controversial now for the show.”
The inside source warned that this “isn’t just going to blow over.”
“This will cast a shadow over everything for a while,” they continued. “Even Joy Behar was heard saying backstage that Whoopi is ‘dead wrong’ and may not ever recover from this.”
“Joy found this particularly troubling and couldn’t believe Whoopi wouldn’t stand corrected until she was forced,” they added.
In addition, the source says that those at ABC are “incredulous” about Whoopi’s comment, allegedly asking, “How stoned can she be?”
“Her agents are panicking that she may have ruined herself for good,” the source added. “Plus, now she has to worry about potential death threats.”
It remains to be seen what, if any, disciplinary action Whoopi will face. In the meantime, individuals can learn more about the Holocaust from the U.S. Holocaust Museum’s link below.
Racism was central to Nazi ideology. Jews were not defined by religion, but by race. Nazi racist beliefs fueled genocide and mass murder. Learn more: https://t.co/GKmxkKppOm
— US Holocaust Museum (@HolocaustMuseum) January 31, 2022
