Whoopi Goldberg warns of US military draft amid Iran tensions, says Trump is ‘in a panic’
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A heated conversation on ‘The View’ has stirred fresh debate after Whoopi Goldberg suggested that the United States could be heading toward reinstating a military draft amid escalating tensions involving Iran.
During Monday’s episode, April 20, the longtime co-host claimed that President Donald Trump might resort to drafting civilians as the situation intensifies.
Goldberg’s remarks came as the panel discussed a report indicating that Trump was struggling to navigate the ongoing conflict.
The View’s Whoopi Goldberg Straight-Up Lies: Claims Trump Is Preparing to Draft Civilians for War Against Iran
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) April 20, 2026
Whoopi Goldberg: “They’re planning on a draft. They’re planning on a draft, and you’re b*tching and moaning that there are women who are part of the Army, Navy, and… pic.twitter.com/BxsMiY2B3d
Whoopi Goldberg links Iran conflict to possible draft concerns
The conversation took a sharp turn when Goldberg referenced a report suggesting that Trump was “in a panic” over the war and possibly searching for an exit strategy.
While the panel explored different angles of the situation, Goldberg focused on what she believes could be the next major step.
“And nothing goes away,” Goldberg said during the show. “That’s why they’re planning on a draft. They’re planning on a draft, and you’re bitching and moaning that there are women who are part of the Army, Navy, and you’re getting rid of people and talking about who shouldn’t be – what the hell are you people doing?”
Her statement immediately stood out as one of the most striking moments of the segment, as she connected military policy debates directly to the possibility of compulsory service.
Alyssa Farah Griffin highlights long-term Iran threat
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin added another layer to the discussion by stressing the larger geopolitical risks.
She described Iran as “the biggest state sponsor of terrorism” and warned that even a potential peace agreement might not eliminate future threats.
Griffin argued that tensions could resurface years or even decades later, suggesting that any short-term resolution might not bring lasting stability.
Her comments framed the issue as one that extends beyond immediate conflict and into long-term global security concerns.
This perspective appeared to reinforce Goldberg’s fears, as both hosts painted a picture of a prolonged and unpredictable situation.
Debate grows over military policy and inclusion
Goldberg’s remarks also touched on ongoing debates about who serves in the military.
She expressed frustration over criticism surrounding the inclusion of women and other groups in the armed forces, linking those arguments to what she sees as a larger contradiction.
The discussion comes as the Selective Service System recently proposed a change to how draft registration would work.
Earlier, in April, a report noted that officials are considering a system that would automatically register eligible citizens instead of requiring them to sign up themselves.
Under the proposed plan, registration would become more streamlined, though women would still have the option to register voluntarily rather than being required to do so.