Whoopi Goldberg compares living in U.S. to Iran in ‘The View’ clash: 'LET'S NOT DO THAT'
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Whoopi Goldberg and Alyssa Farah Griffin were at odds on Wednesday’s episode of The View over living in America versus living in Iran.
As the panel of hosts discussed President Donald Trump’s call for Iran to surrender amid the increasing conflict with Israel, legal expert and co-host Sunny Hostin explained that Israel’s decision to preemptively bomb Iran was “not legal” under international criminal law.
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Whoopi Goldberg compares living in U.S. to Iran in ‘The View’ clash: 'LET'S NOT DO THAT' Back to video
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Goldberg then stressed the importance of organizations like the United Nations to assist with resolving these issues.
“Let’s just remember too, the Iranians literally throw gay people off of buildings, they don’t adhere to basic human rights,” Griffin remarked.
Goldberg quickly replied, “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.”
The Republican co-host argued that “the Iranian regime today, in 2025, is nothing compared to the United States,” adding, “It is not even the same — I couldn’t step foot in this outfit in Iran right now.”
The Ghost actress tried to explain that all hate-based violence is the same, no matter what the country, but Griffin wasn’t having it.
“No, it’s not!” she blasted Goldberg. “The year 2025, the United States is nothing like if I stepped foot wearing this outfit in Tehran right now… I can’t have my hair showing. I can’t wear a skirt. I can’t have my arms out.”
Goldberg paused before reacting to the former Trump staffer.
“And that’s why I am saying that it is the same,” the EGOT winner said.
“Murdering someone for their difference is not good whoever does it. It’s not good! So that’s why I said … what I heard is not what you meant.”
Griffin noted, “I think it’s very different to live in the United States in 2025 than it is to live in Iran in 2025,” prompting Goldberg to reply, “Not if you’re Black.”
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She continued, “Listen, let me tell you about being in the country, 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 neighbourhood?”
Griffin then attempts to find middle ground and point out that two things can be horrible but don’t need to be compared.
“Look, nobody wants to diminish the very real problems we have in this country, that is no one’s intent,” she said. “But I think it’s important we remember there are places much darker than this country, and people who deserve rights, and we should …”
“Listen, not everybody feels that way,” Goldberg interrupted.
“Listen, I’m sorry, when you think about the fact that we got the vote in 1965 …,” Whoopi continued, to which Griffin responded, “But they don’t even have free and fair elections in Iran! It’s not even the same universe!”
Goldberg gives up, telling Griffin, “There’s no way I can make you understand.”
But the Sister Act star eventually admits that Iran is “doing worse things,” but that didn’t mean that it didn’t feel “bad on this side” either.
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