Whoopi Goldberg rebukes ‘The View’ audience for laughing at Trump and Newsom’s meme war

WASHINGTON, DC: 'The View' cohost Whoopi Goldberg took aim at both the show’s audience and political leaders on Thursday, October 2, slamming them for laughing off the escalating social media feud between Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom. 

Goldberg criticized the online back-and-forth as the two traded AI-generated memes and insults, reducing political discourse to a digital circus. The clash intensified this week, with Trump mocking Newsom as “Newscum” and Newsom firing back by portraying Trump as Marie Antoinette.

Whoopi Goldberg weighs in on online mockery over Trump–Newsom feud

Goldberg opened the segment by addressing the ongoing government shutdown. “So, we are two days into the government shutdown and you-know-who did follow through on his threat to target blue states,” she said. “And cut billions in funding to New York City, as well as funding in 16 mostly Democratic-led states.”

She continued, highlighting another controversy, “He also doubled down with yet another racist deepfake meme against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).”

Goldberg then played a clip of Vice President JD Vance, who called the meme “funny” when asked whether it was appropriate to post an image of Jeffries in a sombrero during tense negotiations.

She followed up by showing a meme posted by Newsom mocking Vance, which drew laughs from the audience.

Goldberg addressed the Trump–Newsom feud with visible frustration, remarking, “So politics has been reduced to internet trolling and targeted retribution. You know, it’s cute, maybe it’s funny, but people got stuff to do. People got families to feed.”

She continued, “They don’t have time for this bullsh*t — this stuff that they are doing.”

Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin back Whoopi Goldberg’s criticism

Goldberg wasn’t alone in her criticism. Her cohosts Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin echoed her concerns during the discussion.

“I feel like the kindergartners are running the high school,” Behar quipped after a clip showed JD Vance defending Trump’s AI post

Hostin agreed, adding, “Yeah, yeah. That’s how I feel.” She went on to say, “Forty-seven percent of Americans disagree with Trump. They don’t approve of how he’s handling things. I think we need to go back to President Obama, when he said, 'There’s not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America.'”

Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump’s ongoing online feud intensifies

Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump have been locked in an online feud for weeks, trading AI-generated images and pointed insults.

On Wednesday, October 1, Newsom posted an AI-altered image of Trump as Marie Antoinette, with the caption, “Trump ‘Marie Antoinette’ says, ‘No health care for you peasants, but a ballroom for the queen!’” The post mocked Trump’s stance on healthcare and portrayed him as out of touch.

Trump fired back by reposting an AI-edited video from September showing Newsom wearing a red “Trump 2028” hat, a jab at Newsom’s repeated warnings that Trump might try to seek a third term.

Earlier this week, Trump complained that the US film industry had been "stolen by other countries" and announced a 100% tariff on foreign-made movies. “California, with its weak and incompetent Governor, has been particularly hard hit!” he added.

Just days before, Trump mocked Newsom, referring to him as “Newscum,” and criticized him for supporting a new low-income housing project in Los Angeles. “How unfair is that to the people that have suffered so much!” Trump wrote.

Over the summer, Newsom began mimicking Trump’s social media style, using all caps, AI images, and exaggerated language. After the government shutdown deadline passed on Wednesday, Newsom accused Trump of hiding and blamed him for the crisis. “Donald Trump just shut down the government,” he posted. Later, he added, “The Trump shutdown is here! Health care for babies, moms & grandmas held hostage by a very weak man who can’t even do stairs.”

Newsom also shared a meme-style video highlighting Trump’s own past comments, where Trump claimed the president should be blamed for any shutdown.

On Tuesday, September 30, Newsom posted an unflattering photo of Trump at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, following reports that Trump’s Secretary of State had complained about “fat generals and admirals.” In another AI-generated image, Trump is shown holding two Big Macs while drones drop off more fast food, along with the caption: “It’s completely unacceptable to see a fat commander in chief in the halls of the White House!” Newsom added, “I guess the Commander in Chief needs to go!”

Newsom has continued posting similar content, including images mocking JD Vance as a "Minion" from 'Despicable Me' and blaming Trump directly for the ongoing government shutdown.