Hunt Rejects Whoopi's Claim: 'That's Not My America'

Bill Maher, 2010. Photo by Angela George under CC BY 3.0.

If you thought daytime TV drama couldn't shake up real politics, think again. Bill Maher just declared war on Whoopi Goldberg — and he's not pulling punches.

The late-night provocateur used his June 21 show to torch Goldberg over her comments on "The View," accusing her of peddling delusions and turning the popular talk show into a political liability for Democrats. Her crime? Comparing the struggles of Black Americans in 2025 to women living under Iran's theocratic rule — a comparison that infuriated Maher.

Setting the Stage: The View Erupts

It all started during a fiery June 18 segment of "The View" when co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin pointed out the brutal oppression women and LGBTQ individuals face in Iran, including public executions and arrests for uncovered hair.

In response, Goldberg pivoted to America's past, saying, "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. Listen, I'm sorry, they used to just keep hanging Black people," according to Fox News.

That didn't sit well with Griffin, who pushed back. "I think it's very different to live in the United States in 2025 than it is to live in Iran in 2025," she argued, according to the Toronto Sun. Goldberg doubled down, replying, "Not if you're Black."

Cue Maher's fury.

Maher Sounds Off

On his HBO show "Real Time," Maher didn't hold back. After praising what he saw as a rare step toward sanity by The New York Times — specifically, a more centrist stance on transgender issues — Maher, according to Fox News, added a searing second item to the Democrats' to-do list, saying, "Do something about 'The View'."

He wasn't alone. Congressman Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) joined the pile-on, using his own life story to dismantle Goldberg's analogy. "I'm a direct descendant of a slave - my great-great-grandfather was born on Rosedown Plantation. I am literally being judged not by the color of my skin, but by the content of my character," Hunt said, according to the Daily Mail. "My district in the great state of Texas is actually majority white and was carried by President Trump by 25 points."

He added, "That's the progress because — like a lot of white people had to vote for me — a lot. So I don't ever want to hear Whoopi Goldberg's conversation about how it's worse to be black in America right now," according to the Toronto Sun.

Whoopi's Cultural Clout — And Risk

For decades, Whoopi Goldberg has reigned as a cultural oracle on race and justice — with her long career spanning Oscar-winning acting, stand-up comedy, and a daytime talk show viewed by millions. She's long been a voice of emotion, experience, and, often, righteous anger. But that same authority can become combustible in moments like this.

To critics like Maher, Goldberg's comments don't just cross a line — they obliterate credibility. "The View," Maher argued, isn't just venting — it's influencing. And that makes it a liability for a Democratic Party already struggling with identity politics and internal fractures.

A Clash of Egos or a Battle for Liberal Legitimacy?

This is bigger than two celebrities talking past each other. In many ways, it's about what liberalism means in 2025 — and who gets to define its boundaries.

Bill Maher, now a political contrarian with a long record of skewering both sides, has emerged as a key assertive voice in political centrism. And in his eyes, "The View" represents everything Democrats need to abandon if they want to win over the middle.

Goldberg, meanwhile, has weathered controversy before — including a suspension from "The View" in 2022 over Holocaust-related remarks. But this latest spat may prove more damaging, especially if Maher's call to "do something" gains traction.

What Comes Next?

There's no word from ABC on whether Goldberg will face any consequences for her remarks. But the backlash has clearly reached a new level — with high-profile voices from both politics and media entering the fray.

At stake isn't just reputations — it's the future messaging of the Democratic Party. Can it afford to carry the weight of "The View's" commentary? Or does Maher have a point when he says it's time for a course correction?

References: Bill Maher says Democrats need to 'do something' about 'The View' after Whoopi Goldberg's Iran comments | 'DO SOMETHING': Bill Maher slams 'The View's Whoopi Goldberg for US vs. Iran comments | Bill Maher slams Whoopi Goldberg over Iran comments on The View | Bill Maher calls for Democratic party to take action after Whoopi Goldberg's outrageous comments on The View