‘The View’ audience boos after Whoopi Goldberg announces John Fetterman’s appearance
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Tensions erupted on ABC’s 'The View' on Monday, November 8, when an audience member booed after co-host Whoopi Goldberg announced that Sen. John Fetterman would appear as a guest on the show. The reaction came just one day after Fetterman sided with Republicans in a crucial Senate vote to advance a plan to end the ongoing government shutdown.
As the live audience cheered and clapped through the episode, Goldberg paused mid-show to share the news: “Senator John Fetterman will be here tomorrow.” But before she could continue, a sharp “Boo!” rang out from the crowd. Goldberg appeared visibly annoyed and briefly glared toward the audience member before regaining composure. “So we’re going to ask [Fetterman], ‘What the hell? What is going on?’ and maybe we’ll get an answer,” she said.
TOMORROW: Sen. John Fetterman joins us LIVE to discuss his vote with seven other Senate Democrats to advance a measure that could end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. pic.twitter.com/WEcK7ZUFjs
— The View (@TheView) November 10, 2025
John Fetterman faces backlash after voting with Republicans to end shutdown
The response reflected a growing divide among Democrats after Fetterman joined eight senators, including six Democrats and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), in voting with Republicans to move forward with a bipartisan deal to reopen the government.
The shutdown, which began October 1, has now stretched into its 40th day, making it the longest in US history. Fetterman’s vote drew immediate backlash from progressives who have vowed to block any deal that doesn’t include renewed health care subsidies to prevent premium spikes.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, a longtime progressive leader, criticized the move, saying, “To my mind, this was a very, very bad vote.”
After 40 days as a consistent voice against shutting our government down, I voted YES for the 15th time to REOPEN.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) November 10, 2025
I’m sorry to our military, SNAP recipients, gov workers, and Capitol Police who haven’t been paid in weeks.
It should’ve never come to this.
This was a failure.
Fetterman defended his decision in a post on X, writing: “After 40 days as a consistent voice against shutting our government down, I voted YES for the 15th time to REOPEN. I’m sorry to our military, SNAP recipients, government workers, and Capitol Police who haven’t been paid in weeks. It should’ve never come to this. This was a failure.”
Whoopi Goldberg says 'The View' will press for answers
Goldberg’s firm on-air reaction suggested the show plans to confront Fetterman directly about his controversial vote. His scheduled appearance on Tuesday, November 9, is expected to focus on his decision to side with the GOP on the funding measure and his public defense of the move.
'The View', which airs weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon on ABC, is no stranger to heated political discussions. However, the audience’s open disapproval of a guest before their appearance is rare. The moment underscored growing frustration among liberal viewers who feel Fetterman’s vote undermined Democratic unity during one of the most politically charged shutdowns in recent memory.
Government may reopen soon as bipartisan deal advances
The Senate’s procedural vote on Sunday night advanced a proposal to fund the government through January 30, setting the stage for both chambers to pass a final bill this week.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he would abide by the terms of the deal and pursue a new plan to replace the expiring health insurance subsidies that helped trigger the budget impasse.
