Outrage as Biden pretends to squish insect after 'The View' host Whoopi Goldberg compares Trump to 'bug'

The incident occurred after co-host Whoopi Goldberg compared former president Donald Trump to an irritating insect while praising Joe Biden
UPDATED SEP 26, 2024
Joe Biden went along with Whoopi Goldberg comparing Donald Trump to a bug on the September 25, 2024 episode of 'The View' (Screengrab/ABC, Getty Images)
Joe Biden went along with Whoopi Goldberg comparing Donald Trump to a bug on the September 25, 2024 episode of 'The View' (Screengrab/ABC, Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: President Joe Biden pretended to squash his predecessor and GOP nominee Donald Trump like a "bug" during his appearance on the Wednesday, September 25 episode of 'The View.'

The gesture was not well received by conservatives over social media, as they claimed it was insensitive of the incumbent to portray the former president in a dehumanizing light. The act of swatting the bug was also interpreted in a worse light following the recent apparent assassination attempts on the latter.



 

Comparing Donald Trump to 'bug'

The scene played out during the live show when co-host Whoopi Goldberg was showering praises upon the incumbent and expressing her irritation with the GOP nominee.

President Joe Biden with the co-hosts on the September 25, 2024 episode of 'The View' (@POTUS/X)
President Joe Biden with the co-hosts on the September 25, 2024 episode of 'The View' (@POTUS/X)

Goldberg claimed that Biden was her "ride or die" and she thanked him for "everything" he had done for the country in her lifetime. Attacking people across the aisle who criticized Biden over his age and mental acuity, the comedian's ire finally landed on Trump whom she compared to an irritating bug.

“I always felt that you were going to do four years and then try to figure out where to go with Kamala (Harris). Then he (Trump) just wouldn’t — he’s like a bug. He just kept being there, like a bug right there, bzzzz,” said Goldberg.

Biden then slammed the table in a manner that expressed he was swatting the metaphorical bug.

Co-host Joy Behar quipped, "Slap him down," as the audience applauded the move.



 

Outrage from conservatives

Donald Trump has reportedly faced two apparent assassination attempts in as many months. He had a narrow escape in July when a sniper fired at him while he was addressing a rally in Pennsylvania and the bullet grazed his right ear.

Earlier this month, a man was captured after being spotted hidden outside Trump's Florida golf club, armed with an assault rifle.

As such, conservatives reacting to the moment on 'The View' over the social media platform X were furious with Biden and the show's co-hosts, as the following tweets demonstrate.

"Two assassination attempts on his life isn’t enough for these sick people," wrote Fox News host Tomi Lahren, commenting on Greg Price sharing the clip.



 

"Whoopi Goldberg compares Trump to a bug. Biden then imitates smashing a bug dead on the table. Hosts and audience laugh. Is this incitement to violence? Just imagine if Trump did this," posted the page, Libs of TikTok.



 

"This Is Sickening! ... More violent rhetoric from the left against the former president," shared the outlet, Conservative Brief.



 

"These people are untethered from reality," expressed a user.



 

"Yet another example of Joe Biden and a group of Democrats subliminally hinting at eliminating Trump. This time they are referring to him as a bug that should be smashed," noted a second.



 

"They know what they are doing. They are preaching hatred towards Trump. They are the party of hate and violence," shared a third.



 

"This is what living in an ideologically captured delusional world looks like," tweeted yet another.



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Minneapolis shootings drew scrutiny after Alex Pretti was killed on camera, while Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent without one
2 minutes ago
Trump asks lawmakers to pass funding 'without delay,' warns against changes
3 hours ago
Court sides with Democrats, blocks DHS rule limiting unannounced congressional visits
4 hours ago
Ed Martin was stripped of key duties and reassigned outside headquarters after his stalled nomination for DC US Attorney
4 hours ago
Trump alleged that Michael Wolff conspired with Jeffrey Epstein to undermine him, citing emails portraying Epstein as a potential political weapon
5 hours ago
Bean warned agencies are 'not working' without Senate-confirmed leaders, lacking vision
8 hours ago
Federal agents also reportedly deployed pepper balls, and flash-bang grenades during a protest outside an ICE facility in Portland
17 hours ago
Angry voters protested outside Gracie Mansion after DOJ files named Mamdani’s mother in a 2009 Maxwell-hosted gathering
17 hours ago
After her Grammy win, Estefan warned against silence on immigration, urging Americans to speak up as families face detention and separation
19 hours ago
The House passed funding bills, but Senate Democrats stalled the deal after the Alex Pretti shooting, leaving parts of the government shut down
20 hours ago