'The View's Whoopi Goldberg slammed for comparing Black life in US to conditions in Iran: 'So ridiculous'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Whoopi Goldberg is facing backlash online after making a controversial comparison between the experience of Black Americans and conditions in Iran during the June 18 episode of 'The View'. 

The controversial remark led to a heated on-air exchange with co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin with whom Goldberg has had frequent past disagreements.

The latest spat reignited criticism online with many accusing Goldberg of playing the victim despite her privileged status in America.

Whoopi Goldberg and Alyssa Griffin clash on 'The View'

During the June 18 episode of 'The View', tensions ran high as Whoopi Goldberg and co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin engaged in a heated on-air clash. The argument erupted after Goldberg compared the experience of Black Americans to life in Iran, a comparison Griffin strongly challenged.

“Let’s just remember too, the Iranians literally throw gay people off of buildings. They don’t adhere to basic human rights,” Griffin stated.

Her comment visibly struck a nerve with Goldberg, who pushed back: “Let’s not do that, because if we start with that, we have been known in this country to tie gay folks to the car. I’m sorry, they used to just keep hanging Black people."

Despite Goldberg’s passionate response, Griffin stood her ground, insisting, “The Iranian regime today, in 2025, is nothing compared to the United States. It is not even the same. I couldn’t step foot in this outfit in Iran right now.”

Goldberg, however, argued that hatred leading to violence is universally wrong, regardless of geography.

When Griffin clarified that she believed the future of Iran should be decided by its own people, Goldberg retorted, “That’s why I’m saying it’s the same. Murdering someone for their differences is not good for whoever does it.”

Although Goldberg later acknowledged she may have initially misunderstood Griffin’s point, the conversation remained tense. When Griffin reiterated that life in Iran today is vastly different from life in the US, Goldberg responded, “Not if you’re Black.”

Goldberg added, “Listen, let me tell you about being in the country. This is the greatest country in the world. I know that, and we all know that. But every day we are worried. Do we have to be worried about our kids? Are [our] kids gonna get shot because they’re running through somebody’s neighborhood?”

Griffin attempted to de-escalate the exchange, but neither host was willing to concede, leaving the conversation unresolved, as per Parade. Goldberg eventually ended the segment and cut to a commercial break, bringing the tense discussion to an abrupt close.

Internet calls out Whoopi Goldberg for making 'insulting' comparison between US and Iran

As footage of the heated exchange between Whoopi Goldberg and Alyssa Farah Griffin gained traction online, many social media users were quick to sharply criticize Goldberg for her remarks.

One user questioned, "Why is Whoopi Goldberg playing the victim card as a privileged black woman?"

One person shared a sarcastic comment, "Good lord she loves to think she is a victim……with her millions of dollars and life of luxury."

An X user explained, "Whoopi’s comparison is not just absurd, it’s insulting. In Iran, women are jailed for showing hair, protestors are executed, and there’s zero free speech. In America, a black woman like Whoopi is a multimillionaire speaking freely on national TV. That’s not oppression, that’s opportunity. Iran’s citizens can only dream of that."

A person slammed, "Completely out of touch. She says this from her high paying TV job that reaches millions daily."

A user quipped, "Says the woman who has millions of dollars and every luxury and comfort imaginable."

An enraged person said, "She is completely insufferable. The last thing we want to hear is an overly opinionated, rich black woman telling us how bad it is in America to be black. She is completely clueless about how bad other countries are in the world. She only can see through a racial lens."

A frustrated user shared, "This is so ridiculous. I realize how out of touch and full of hyperbole celebrities can be but for someone on a daily TV chat show to be this far out there is still wild to me."

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