Whoopi Goldberg fires back at critics as she asks them to 'turn off TV' over drag queens' Last Supper act

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Whoopi Goldberg addressed the controversy surrounding the drag queen performance at Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony that many believed depicted the 'Last Supper.'

Goldberg encouraged those upset by the performance to simply turn off their TVs.

Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony act angers Christians over 'Last Supper' performance 

Critics took an aim at the group of drag queens' apparent portrayal of the 'Last Supper' scene famously painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

However, Goldberg mentioned that the director of the performance denied it was a reference to the Last Supper.

"The guy that put it all together said it was from ‘The Feast of the Gods’ which is a 17th Century Dutch painting of the Greek Olympian Gods, you know, the Olympian Gods because it's the Olympics," she said.

"If you are not happy with something, and it bothers you, don’t take 20 hours to write an email. Just turn the TV off. Watch something else," Goldberg said on Monday, July 29.

Whoopi Goldberg defends drag queen performance at Paris 2024 Olympics

Goldberg defended the act by saying Olympics is only talking about history and not anything else. 

"Come on, y’all. It’s the Olympics. Stop. They’re not trying to do anything except talk about the history," she said.

"They’re showing you the history. There are too many people in the picture for it to be the 12 disciples and then the seven or eight other people in the picture," she added, according to Fox News.

Co-host Sara Haines expressed her frustration with the religious arguments and highlighted the importance of intention. 

"Don’t go by the literal letter of the Bible. Go by the example of the word, which is live with the grace," she said.

"Live with the forgiveness. Live with – I was frustrated. You answer, and I’m okay with that. I get so tired of being beaten over the head with religious messages while someone walks along their life not living like Jesus at all, like, really understand the mission," she added.

Ana Navarro and Alyssa Farah Griffin share their concerns on 'The View' about 'Last Supper'

Ana Navarro suggested that shifting focus to the Olympics athletes was not in the best interest of America.

"This was a very small part of it, and it’s what’s consumed so much of America, I guess, and I would say, you know, it happens every four years," Navarro said.

"There are young people who train their entire lives to be there, to represent our countries. Can we please give them the focus?" she added.

Meanwhile, Alyssa Farah Griffin noted that countries often showcase their culture in the opening ceremonies.

"There's nothing more Parisian than Marie Antoinette's head cut-off, metal music playing and then drag queens," she said, adding that there was something for everyone in the ceremony. She also argued that if people didn't like it, they didn't have to watch.

Internet reacts to Whoopi Goldberg's take on drag queen Paris 2024 Olympics performance

Goldberg's comments on turning off the TV elicited various reactions on social media.

"Especially if Whoopi is on it," wrote one user on X. Another commented, "That’s actually really good advice. Just turn it off. That’s the worst thing you can do to them."

"Everyone should do that if somehow the View comes on their TV," wrote another.

One more said, "Hey @TheView We took your advice. Not watching any of the Olympics this year."

Others added, "That’s what her viewer should do" and "Funny, that’s what we all do to the View."

"Whoppi STOP TREATING US LIKE WE ARE STUPID AND NEED TO GO ALONG FOR A RIDE IN YOUR MESSED UP WORLD. YOU ARE BY FAR NOT THE VOICE OF REASON BUT A HATEFUL DIVIDER," one more wrote.

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