Fact Check: Is Whoopi Goldberg leaving US like Ellen DeGeneres and moving to the UK?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A rumor suggesting that Whoopi Goldberg is moving to the United Kingdom like Ellen DeGeneres has been circulating online. According to the viral claim, the iconic 'The View' host is allegedly looking for a fresh start after Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Meanwhile, DeGeneres, 66, has left the US with her wife Portia de Rossi after being "kicked out of show business" and moved to the UK, the New York Post reported.
Claim: Whoopi Goldberg leaving US after Ellen DeGeneres moved to UK
The claims about Whoopi Goldberg leaving the US began circulating on social media after a Facebook user, @spaceX Fanclub, shared a post reporting that the TV host was following Ellen DeGeneres in relocating abroad following the election results.
The post, which was shared on Friday, November 22, featured a collage with DeGeneres and Goldberg's photos. The headline read, "Ellen DeGeneres and Whoopi Goldberg head to England, leave the US: 'No Respect Here.'"
Within just three days of being posted, the viral garnered over 2.3K comments and 178 shares, showcasing the significant online reaction.
Additionally, the post included a link to an article on ESSPOTS.com, which echoed the same headline. The article referred to both women as "longtime advocates for social justice" and claimed they had "officially announced their decision to leave the United States and relocate to England."
While it's confirmed that DeGeneres recently left the US for the UK, the question remains whether Goldberg is following her lead.
Reports also mention that the duo’s departure was announced through a joint Instagram video. The article shared an alleged quote from Whoopi Goldberg, saying, "I’ve spent years trying to wake people up. But now? Now I need some sleep—and I’m not going to find it in America."
These claims appear to have been further fueled by Goldberg’s reaction to Trump’s election victory. In a recent episode of ‘The View’ on November 6, Goldberg expressed her frustration, notably mentioning Trump’s name on air, as per The Variety.
Claims about Whoopi Goldberg's move to the UK debunked
Upon closer examination of the post, it appears to be a "rated satire" as indicated on the cover of the Facebook post. Further investigation into the SpaceX Fanclub Facebook page reveals that the profile's introduction clearly states, "We post SATIRE, nothing on this page is real."
Additionally, the affiliated website for the post has categorized the article under satire. The "About Us" page of the website further clarifies that it is a "Subsidiary of SpaceXMania.com specializing in Satire and Parody News."
The page promotes itself as having a team of writers and editors focused on "bringing you the latest and greatest in fake news and absurdity, all with a healthy dose of humor and satire."
They confirm that the posts and articles on the site are intended to be fictional, stating, "On this page, you can expect to find all sorts of hilarious stories and parodies about US politics, culture, and society. From outrageous conspiracy theories to outlandish political stunts, we’ve got it all covered."
The website also includes a disclaimer that reads, "A website that specializes in satire, parody, and humor. Before you proceed to read our content, we would like to emphasize that nothing on this website is real. All of the articles, stories, and commentary found on Esspots.com are entirely fictitious and created for the purpose of entertainment only."
These statements strongly confirm that the claim about Whoopi Goldberg leaving the US like Ellen DeGeneres is entirely false and that the post was a completely satirical fabrication. The TV host has also made no official confirmation about her move to the UK.
