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 stated that “many believe that a continued effort is being made to release negative news in order to provoke a response and also for them to turn it into reality.” Some insiders suspect that allies of President Trump and Republicans who are against the progressive-leaning program are behind the negative media, though disputes have notably intensified within the organization itself.
The 70-year-old broadcaster addressed the talk in early April 2026 when she informed audiences, “We’re still here” with Joy Behar, but notably did not reference co-host Sunny Hostin, whose employment status is uncertain as Season 28 winds down.
Goldberg has received substantial criticism for several divisive comments over the past few months. In November 2025, she generated major demands for her removal after making a comment that President Trump employed an autopen to authorize a pardon for Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. Co-host Sunny Hostin gave her a note from show staff requesting more details, which Goldberg read aloud before, appearing frustrated, crumpling it up and stating, “It was a joke!”
Another controversy occurred in June 2025 when Goldberg made a comparison between American conditions and those in Iran under the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin strongly disagreed with the comparison, highlighting that Iran functions under rigid authoritarian rule with harsh government-imposed restrictions on women. Goldberg continued her position by adding “Not if you’re Black,” which detractors considered disrespectful to Iranians enduring authoritarian rule and disconnected from reality.
Additional backlash has focused on Goldberg over noticeable difficulties reading from a teleprompter that observers have attributed to her publicly acknowledged dyslexia, an intense April 22 dispute regarding gerrymandering where she insisted both parties cease redistricting efforts following Virginia voters’ approval of a ballot measure to redraw congressional districts, and direct criticism of President Trump.
Reddit members have been especially critical of her broadcast presence. “She’s been operating on cruise control for close to ten years,” one user noted, while another remarked the energy now “appears disrespectful to the program, the subjects, and essentially the audience.”
The comeback of prior co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck as a substitute host during the week of March 2 generated attention regarding ABC’s strategy. Hasselbeck substituted when Alyssa Farah Griffin was on maternity leave, and show staff allegedly pressured for heated exchanges. “Show staff were instructing Hasselbeck to challenge Goldberg and the [other panelist] women with more intensity,” an insider shared. “They understand what creates engaging television — and they desired drama. Drama produces viewership.”
Farah Griffin rejoined the program on April 13 following the show’s Easter break, with Goldberg announcing the return on-air on April 2. Though ABC staff privately told Goldberg that Hasselbeck’s role was temporary, doubters remained skeptical. One insider commented that “Elisabeth’s appearance might be part of a bigger strategy. Some people think she’s being positioned to gradually encourage Whoopi toward leaving.”
Goldberg’s name was mentioned in Jeffrey Epstein files made public by the Department of Justice in February 2026. A 2013 message included a request to use Epstein’s airplane to transport Goldberg to a fundraiser in Monaco coordinated by Julian Lennon’s White Feather Foundation. Epstein rejected the proposal, and Goldberg, who has a recognized flying phobia, strongly rejected any personal ties to the disgraced businessman.
Despite the mounting controversies, Goldberg seems interested in keeping her position for financial reasons. 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 remarks about financial pressure seemed insensitive to many, given that she reportedly takes home $8 million annually from “The View” and has a reported net worth somewhere between $20 million and $60 million. She agreed to a contract renewal in 2016 at a stated compensation of $5 million to $6 million yearly, positioning her among daytime television’s most highly compensated personalities.
Online commenters criticized her statements. “So, she receives millions of dollars annually and has no money put aside? That’s rather sad,” one commenter wrote. Someone else remarked, “Girl, if you’re bad with money, just say that.”
Show insiders report that producers remain dedicated to the existing group, which features Goldberg alongside Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin. Yet as problems accumulate and viewer support declines, uncertainty looms regarding how much longer Goldberg can keep her position at the Hot Topics table.