Whoopi Goldberg's absence from 'The View' after her Iran comparison fuels renewed calls for her firing

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Whoopi Goldberg has been absent from 'The View' since last week, following a controversial on-air comparison between Black American life and living in Iran that ignited widespread backlash.

During the June 18 episode, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin praised American freedoms, only for Goldberg to dismiss her remarks and draw a sharp comparison that quickly sparked outrage online — with many viewers demanding Goldberg’s firing.

But what’s behind Goldberg’s sudden absence from the show? Is it connected to the growing controversy?

Joy Behar addresses Whoopi Goldberg's absence from 'The View'

Co-host Joy Behar addressed Whoopi Goldberg’s noticeable absence from 'The View', offering an explanation during Monday’s episode, June 23.

“She's in Italy accepting an award for her book 'Bits and Pieces', so she will be out this week,” Behar told viewers, as per Dailymail.

She also noted that Goldberg won't be returning before the show’s annual summer hiatus, which begins next week. According to sources cited by the Daily Mail, Goldberg is expected to return on July 7, rejoining her co-hosts when the show resumes.

What comparison did Whoopi Goldberg make between living in America and Iran?

In the June 18 episode of 'The View', tensions flared as Whoopi Goldberg and co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin clashed in a heated on-air debate. The disagreement began when Goldberg compared the experiences of Black Americans to life in Iran, a comparison that Griffin strongly disputed.

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

Goldberg, visibly affected, responded, “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 defense, Griffin maintained, “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 countered by emphasizing that hatred and violence are wrong everywhere, regardless of location. When Griffin said she believed Iranians should decide their own future, Goldberg shot back, “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 admitted she might have misunderstood Griffin’s point initially, the conversation stayed intense. Griffin reiterated that life in Iran today is very different from life in the US, but Goldberg replied, “Not if you’re Black.”

She continued, "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?”

The comments received widespread condemnation, including calls for Goldberg to be fired from ‘The View’.

Internet intensifies calls for Whoopi Goldberg to be fired from 'The View'

After facing a wave of online criticism and calls for her removal, Whoopi Goldberg is under increasing pressure to be fired from 'The View'. Those calls have only intensified following her absence from the show last week, which came after a controversial on-air exchange.

One user expressed, “The whole show should be canceled.” A commenter said, “All of the communists on that show should be fired.”

“Fire them all,” a person shared. A social media user quipped, “My vote is for her to be fired and her pay contract revoked.”

An individual claimed, “She should have been fired years ago.” A user added, “Good! I hope she never resurfaces.”

A speaker wrote, “Hope they fired her and Unsunny while they’re at it!”

One more user explained, “She deserves to be fired for what she said. Clearly she is the perpetual victim and will back the US no matter what it is how disgusting the comment.”

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