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Whoopi Goldberg Sparks Tensions Over Trump Joke on The View

11/4/2025

37 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The View tensions rose after Whoopi Goldberg tore up a note from producers urging clarification of a joke about U.S. President Donald Trump using an autopen to pardon Zhao.
Sunny Hostin criticized Trump’s claim of not knowing Zhao and noted the Trump family’s profits from the government.
Goldberg said the remark was a joke and acknowledged ongoing pressure on The View to moderate Trump criticism amid network scrutiny.

History

Historical Context

In 2017, political tensions escalated as The View faced backlash for its commentary on President Donald Trump, reflecting broader media scrutiny. This scrutiny intensified after CNN reported on unverified claims about Trump and Russia, leading to accusations of bias. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in balancing media freedom with political influence amid a polarized environment, impacting public discourse significantly.

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Story summary

The View tensions rose after Whoopi Goldberg tore up a note from producers urging clarification of a joke about U.S. President Donald Trump using an autopen to pardon Zhao.
Sunny Hostin criticized Trump’s claim of not knowing Zhao and noted the Trump family’s profits from the government.
Goldberg said the remark was a joke and acknowledged ongoing pressure on The View to moderate Trump criticism amid network scrutiny.

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