Whoopi Goldberg has sparked controversy after claiming she “works for a living” during Tuesday’s episode of The View – despite her multi-million pound fortune.
The 69-year-old actress and talk show host told viewers she couldn’t afford to stop working, stating: “If I had all the money in the world, I would not be here.”
Her comments have drawn fierce criticism from viewers who point out her estimated $45million net worth (£34.8million), with many labelling her remarks as “tone-deaf” amid America’s current economic struggles.
During the discussion about voting tactics, Goldberg expressed empathy for Americans facing financial hardships, saying: “I appreciate that people are having a hard time. Me too. I work for a living.”
The Sister Act star emphasised her family’s economic challenges, stating: “My kid has to feed her family. My great-granddaughter has to be fed by her family. I know it’s hard out there.”
The comments came during a segment addressing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Instagram poll about voting preferences and Donald Trump’s support among working-class Americans.
Whoopi Goldberg has claimed she cannot quit The View due to financial struggles
YOUTUBE/ABC
Social media users were quick to criticise Goldberg’s remarks, with one X user writing: “She’s got to be one of the most tone-deaf celebrities I’ve ever seen.”
Another critic pointed out: “Whoopi Goldberg claims she’s a ‘working class American’ and that her family currently knows the struggles of affording groceries… She has a net worth of $45 MILLION.”
“If she’s working class, I’m starving class,” quipped another user on the platform.
“The entire panel can not relate to regular people. Please stop! It’s condescending to regular people,” wrote another.
Many fans of Whoopi have called her out for her comments
YOUTUBE/ABC
This controversy follows Goldberg’s recent remarks about rising food prices, where she called grocery store owners “pigs” during last Thursday’s episode of The View.
“Your pocketbook is bad, not because the Bidens did anything. Not because the economy is bad.
“Your grocery bills are what they are because the folks that own the groceries are pigs,” she said on the programme.
These comments similarly drew criticism for appearing disconnected from everyday economic realities faced by Americans.
Despite the backlash, The View continues to achieve strong ratings for ABC News.
The programme recently delivered its best overall audience figures in over three and a half years.
The show also recorded its most-watched episode in 10 years during their post-election coverage, which featured analysis of Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign.
These viewing figures suggest the controversy surrounding Goldberg’s comments has not dampened the show’s popularity with American audiences.