Fact Check: Did Whoopi Goldberg call Erika Kirk a ‘Trump puppet’?
WASHINGTON, DC: Social media posts in September claimed that 'The View' co-host Whoopi Goldberg lashed out at Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, during a live broadcast.
The viral posts alleged Goldberg told Erika to “Sit down, Barbie” or “Sit down, monkey,” and called her a “Trump puppet.”
Claim: Whoopi Goldberg called Erika Kirk a ‘Trump puppet’
Posts in social media claimed that Whoopi Goldberg called Erika Kirk a ‘Trump puppet’.
According to the claims, celebrities including Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Novak Djokovic, Bruce Springsteen, Derek Hough, Tiger Woods, Elon Musk, George Strait, Blake Shelton, and Morgan Wallen rose in Erika's defense, with Mahomes supposedly silencing Goldberg in front of a stunned studio audience.
The rumor appears to have originated on the Chiefs Faithful Facebook page on September 27, 2025, days after Erika Kirk spoke at a September 21 memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The post featured a collage showing Erika Kirk, Whoopi Goldberg, and Patrick Mahomes, along with a caption claiming Goldberg had insulted Erika during 'The View'.
The post linked to an article on fcsports.online, which redirected readers to an advertisement-heavy blog on topnewsource.com. Similar versions of the claim spread widely on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
The article said, ""Sit down, Barbie." -Whoopi Goldberg suddenly lashed out at Erika Kirk, calling her a "Trump puppet" live on air. But just minutes later, before Erika could even respond, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes spoke up- not to tear her down, but to defend her.”
Further it said, “With steady calm and genuine sincerity, Mahomes turned to Whoopi and delivered a thoughtful truth that left the entire studio in stunned silence. Erika Kirk sat frozen, eyes wide in shock, while the audience rose to their feet - not to cheer for Whoopi, but to applaud the athlete who dared to stand against unfairness and transform an attack into a lesson in respect and integrity.”
Fact Check: False, Whoopi Goldberg actually offered condolences to Erika Kirk on 'The View'
No credible news outlets have reported that Goldberg insulted Erika Kirk or that Mahomes confronted her. Given the high-profile nature of such an exchange, mainstream media would have widely covered it had it been true.
In reality, the official YouTube channel for ‘The View’ shows the panel’s reaction from September 11, 2025, the day after Charlie Kirk’s killing.
Goldberg called the activist’s death “devastating” and expressed condolences to the family. No footage exists of her insulting Erika, nor of Mahomes or any celebrity intervening on her behalf.
The article on topnewsource.com displayed multiple hallmarks of AI-generated content, including an overly dramatic conclusion.
This claim joins a series of fictional viral posts, particularly in connection to Charlie Kirk’s death, which are fabricated.
