ABC may be working to push Whoopi Goldberg out of “The View” after nearly 20 years as the show’s moderator, according to industry insiders who claim a coordinated campaign is underway to damage her reputation and force her exit.
Sources speaking to The Blast revealed that “many believe that a continued effort is being made to put negative news out there to get a reaction and also for them to materialize it to become true.” Some insiders suspect allies of President Trump and Republicans who oppose the liberal-leaning panel are driving the negative coverage, though tensions have clearly escalated within the network itself.
The 70-year-old host acknowledged the speculation in early April 2026 when she told viewers, “We’re still here” alongside Joy Behar, though she conspicuously omitted any mention of co-host Sunny Hostin, whose contract situation remains unclear as Season 28 approaches its end.
Goldberg has faced significant backlash over multiple controversial moments in recent months. In November 2025, she triggered widespread calls for her firing after joking that President Trump used an autopen to sign a pardon for Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. Co-host Sunny Hostin handed her a note from producers seeking clarification, which Goldberg read aloud before, visibly annoyed, tearing it up and exclaiming, “It was a joke!”
Another firestorm erupted in June 2025 when Goldberg compared American living conditions to those in Iran under the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin forcefully rejected the comparison, pointing out that Iran operates under strict authoritarian control with severe state-enforced restrictions on women. Goldberg responded by doubling down, stating “Not if you’re Black,” which critics called disrespectful to Iranians suffering under oppression and out of touch with reality.
Additional criticism has targeted Goldberg over visible teleprompter struggles that viewers have linked to her well-documented dyslexia, a heated April 22 argument over gerrymandering where she demanded both parties halt redistricting efforts after Virginia voters approved a referendum to redraw congressional maps, and pointed attacks against President Trump.
Reddit users have been particularly harsh about her on-air performance. “She’s been on autopilot for the best part of a decade,” one commenter observed, while another said the dynamic now “feels more disrespectful to the show, the topics, and essentially the viewers.”
The return of former co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck as a guest host during the week of March 2 raised eyebrows about ABC’s plans. Hasselbeck filled in while Alyssa Farah Griffin was on maternity leave, and producers reportedly pushed for confrontation. “Producers were telling Hasselbeck to push Goldberg and the [other panelist] ladies even harder,” one insider revealed. “They know what makes great television — and they wanted sparks. Conflict equals ratings.”
Farah Griffin returned to the panel on April 13 following the show’s Easter hiatus, with Goldberg announcing the news on-air on April 2. Though ABC personnel quietly reassured Goldberg that Hasselbeck was temporary, skeptics weren’t convinced. One source noted that “Elisabeth’s return could be part of a longer play. Some people think she’s being used to slowly nudge Whoopi toward the exit.”
Goldberg’s name surfaced in Jeffrey Epstein files released by the Department of Justice in February 2026. A 2013 email showed a third party requesting the use of Epstein’s private jet to fly Goldberg to a charity event in Monaco hosted by Julian Lennon’s White Feather Foundation. Epstein declined the request, and Goldberg, who has a well-known fear of flying, firmly denied any personal connection to the disgraced financier.
Despite the ongoing controversies, Goldberg appears financially motivated to remain on the show. She told Entertainment Tonight, “Who can afford to do that? If you don’t marry well, you’ve got to keep working. I’ve got to keep paying those bills, baby.”
Her comments about financial necessity struck many as tone-deaf, considering she reportedly earns $8 million a year from “The View” and has an estimated net worth between $20 million and $60 million. She signed a contract extension in 2016 at a reported salary of $5 million to $6 million per year, making her one of daytime television’s highest-paid personalities.
Social media users slammed her claims. “So, she makes millions of dollars every year and does not have money saved? That’s pretty pathetic,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Girl, if you’re bad with money, just say that.”
Insiders maintain that producers remain committed to the current lineup, which includes Goldberg alongside Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin. Yet as controversies continue to mount and viewer patience wears thin, questions arise about how much longer Goldberg can maintain her seat at the Hot Topics table.
