Full Breakdown
Whoopi Goldberg and Sara Haines Exchange Six Slaps on “The View”
4/24/2026, 2:05:14 PM
The Slap Exchange During the “Running Point” Interview
On Thursday, April 23, co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg (age 83) and Sara Haines engaged in a reciprocal slap sequence while interviewing actors Justin Theroux and Kate Hudson about their Netflix series *Running Point*. Midway through the discussion, Haines playfully struck Goldberg’s arm. Goldberg responded with an audible “Ow!” and returned the slap. The two then exchanged additional slaps—Haines using the back of her hand and Goldberg using her cue cards—bringing the total to six. The repeated contact prompted Theroux to ask, “Why are we all hitting each other?” before the segment continued.
Prior On-Air Tension Between the Co-hosts
The incident followed a similar on-air slap that occurred on March 25, when Goldberg slapped Haines after the latter made an oral-sex joke about fellow panelist Joy Behar. During that earlier exchange, Behar recalled her agent’s advice to avoid the show and later quipped about being told to “change your voice” and “change your name.” The recurrence of physical gestures underscores a pattern of heightened interaction between the two hosts.
Timeline of the April 23 Incident
- April 23, early segment: Theroux and Hudson discuss *Running Point*.
- Mid-interview: Haines taps Goldberg’s arm; Goldberg replies with a slap.
- Subsequent moments: Haines strikes again with the back of her hand; Goldberg retaliates with cue cards.
- Final exchanges: Two additional slap pairs occur, totaling six.
- After the sixth slap: Theroux interjects, “Why are we all hitting each other?” while Goldberg appears visibly annoyed.
Data & Statistics
- Participants: 2 co-hosts (Goldberg, Haines) and 2 guests (Theroux, Hudson).
- Physical contacts: 6 slaps (3 by each host).
- Objects used: Arm, back of hand, cue cards.
- Duration: The exchange spanned a single wide-shot segment within the interview.
On-Set Reactions
Guest Justin Theroux directly addressed the physicality, questioning the collective hitting. Goldberg’s facial expression shifted from surprise to annoyance, indicating discomfort with the escalation. No other guests intervened.
Official Statements & Responses
Entertainment Weekly reported that it contacted a representative for *The View* for comment; no response was provided at the time of publication. The program continues to air weekdays on ABC.
Criticism & Opposition
Commentary in the source material describes the episode as “a little more violent than most” in the show’s history, noting that the slaps distracted the interview and altered the tone of the discussion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ow!” — Whoopi Goldberg, co-host
- “Why are we all hitting each other?” — Justin Theroux, guest
- “Well, did you?” — Sara Haines, co-host
- “My agent at the time told me not to take The View, and, in retrospect, he might've been right,” — Joy Behar, panelist (referencing the March 25 incident)
What’s Next for the Panel
The incident is likely to be referenced in subsequent episodes of *The View*, given its rarity and the attention it received from both viewers and media outlets. No formal follow-up actions have been announced.
