Fans Criticize Whoopi Goldberg for “Working-Class” Comments Amid Economic Hardships
3 min read
ABC
Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View, has faced backlash for claiming she, too, has to “work for a living,” a comment that sparked controversy among fans and social media users who felt her remarks were “tone-deaf.” During a recent episode, Goldberg, 69, addressed the ongoing economic struggles of middle- and working-class Americans, expressing empathy for those dealing with financial strain. However, her attempt at solidarity quickly drew criticism online.
Goldberg’s remarks came during a discussion on The View about former President Donald Trump’s election win and the broader economic climate. “I appreciate that people are having a hard time. Me too. I work for a living,” she said. Goldberg continued, “If I had all the money in the world, I would not be here, OK? So, I’m a working person.”
Whoopi Goldberg claims she’s a “working class American’ and that her family currently knows the struggles of affording groceries..
— American AF 🇺🇸 (@iAnonPatriot) November 12, 2024
She has a net worth of $45 MILLION. 🤦♂️🤦♂️
pic.twitter.com/0jATPcxMj3
The EGOT winner, known for her prolific career in film and television, then went on to describe how rising inflation has affected her family as well, noting the financial pressures of feeding her granddaughter and great-granddaughter. “My kid has to feed her family. My great-granddaughter has to be fed by her family. I know it’s hard out there,” she added.
This attempt to relate to economic hardships drew immediate backlash on social media, with many viewers arguing that Goldberg’s significant wealth set her apart from the average American struggling to make ends meet. One X user criticized her comments, stating, “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.” Another user added, “If she’s working class, I’m starving class.”
This is the whole problem with the Democrat elitist party. They think they are down with the struggle while being worth millions of dollars.
— Social distancing champ (@LadyGriz) November 12, 2024
The criticism continued, with one commenter remarking, “All these overpaid actors are completely out of touch with reality.” Others questioned when Goldberg last did her own grocery shopping, given her remarks about grocery store owners. Just days prior, Goldberg had also sparked backlash for calling grocery store owners “pigs” during a discussion on inflation. “Your grocery bills are what they are because the folks that own the groceries are pigs,” she said, attributing high prices to greed in the grocery industry rather than economic policy.
She’s lost all credibility if she ever had any. Just go back to being a comedian and an actor and quit trying to tell people about things you don’t even know about.
— Bob Starr (@Bobisheretohelp) November 12, 2024Advertisement
These comments have only fueled further criticism, with fans pointing out that Goldberg’s financial standing makes her perspective very different from the struggles of everyday Americans. “She’s slandering all grocery shop owners. She’s despicable,” one user wrote.
For many, Goldberg’s attempt to empathize with the working class has come off as disingenuous, highlighting a disconnect between celebrities and the realities faced by the average American family. The criticism underscores a broader frustration among the public with wealthy celebrities who appear to downplay the economic struggles impacting millions of households across the nation.
Worth $45 million & having a hard time. I call bullsh!t @GoldbergWhoppi @TheView pic.twitter.com/msdrQt7Xrh
— acr1112014 (@acr1112014) November 13, 2024
She’s got to be one of the most tone deaf celebrities I’ve ever seen.
— fight for the red (@fightforthered) November 12, 2024
I truly don’t know how anyone genuinely watches this lady except to mock her
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
