Whoopi Goldberg ignited a wave of criticism after drawing a controversial comparison between the experience of Black Americans in the United States and life under the Iranian regime during a recent episode of The View.
The comments quickly attracted strong condemnation from Iranian dissidents, who labeled Goldberg’s statements as “offensive” and “misguided.”
Outrage also spilled over onto social media, where many accused Goldberg of minimizing the severity of Iran’s human rights violations.
Iranian activists condemned Goldberg’s remarks for what they described as a troubling attempt to equate systemic racism in America with life in a repressive theocracy.
Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a well-known Iranian-American plastic surgeon and human rights advocate, was among the first to speak out publicly.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Nazarian said, “Whoopi Goldberg’s comparison between being Black in America and living under Iran’s authoritarian regime is deeply misguided and dismisses the brutal realities faced by millions of Iranians.”
Nazarian, whose family fled Iran in 1985 after her father was targeted for execution, said Goldberg’s take was not only factually wrong but also deeply disrespectful.
“While racism is a serious and ongoing challenge in the US, comparing this to life under a totalitarian theocracy like Iran is not only inaccurate — it’s offensive to those who suffer daily under that regime,” she stated.
She went on to explain, “In Iran, the government controls nearly every aspect of life. People can be imprisoned, tortured, raped or even executed for peaceful protests, for criticizing the regime, or simply expressing their opinions online.”
Sharing similar concerns, Iranian-American journalist and foreign policy analyst Lisa Daftari also denounced Goldberg’s remarks, particularly given Goldberg’s status as a “woman of color.”
Daftari emphasized that Goldberg’s role on a daytime talk show is, in itself, a testament to the freedoms enjoyed in the United States.
“It’s astonishing that Whoopi Goldberg would even suggest that life for Black Americans is somehow equivalent to living under the rule of the ayatollah in Iran,” Daftari said.
She added, “The very fact that she, as a woman — and a woman of color — has a platform where she can speak freely, express dissenting views, and appear uncovered on national television is proof of the immense freedoms she enjoys.”
The controversy erupted during a heated exchange between Goldberg and co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin on The View, where the discussion turned to Iran’s widespread human rights abuses.
Griffin pointed out Iran’s execution of LGBTQ+ individuals and its draconian enforcement of hijab laws, including the arrest of women for modesty violations.
Goldberg interrupted, cautioning against singling out Iran without acknowledging injustices in America’s own past.
“Let’s not do that,” Goldberg interjected. “Because if we start with that, we have been known in this country to tie gay folks to the car. Listen, I’m—”
Griffin pushed back, contrasting current U.S. freedoms with conditions in Iran. “In the year 2025 in the United States, it’s nothing like if I step foot wearing this outfit into Iran right now.”
Goldberg, however, disagreed. “It is the same,” she insisted.
When Griffin tried to elaborate on the differences between life under American democracy and Iran’s oppressive regime, Goldberg doubled down: “Not if you’re Black.”
The exchange grew more tense until co-host Joy Behar stepped in, urging Griffin to consider the perspective of Black Americans.
“Just try to understand from their point of view, this country does not do them well,” Behar said.
Griffin responded respectfully, saying she “completely” acknowledged that experience but maintained her stance that the situation in Iran is “significantly worse” than in the U.S.
Since the episode aired, social media users have blasted Goldberg’s comments on X (formerly Twitter), with many calling for her removal from The View.
One user wrote, “Whoopi Goldberg has lost her mind. Women are raped, beaten and killed in Iran for showing their hair and not wearing hijab. Whoopi claims that is how Blacks are treated in the U.S. The View should be taken off the air, ABC should lose their license.”
Another posted, “What the f-ck did I just hear? Whoopi Goldberg on The View (of all shows) just said that it’s no different living in Iran than the U.S. The Islamic Republic has arrested over 30,642 women since 2022 for not wearing hijabs. They’ve killed, raped, and tortured many of them. Her co-host, who is of Iranian heritage, tried to explain the hardship the Iranian people go through living under the Iranian regime. Whoopi then shouts her down like she knows best. Disgusting.”
A third commenter stated flatly, “Whoopi Goldberg needs to be FIRED! @ABCNetwork She is a racist and [disseminates] lies.”
One more voice on X added, “Did Whoopi Goldberg say on The View that being Black in America today is worse than living in Iran? Whoopi, a wealthy woman living the American dream, is debating which mansion staircase to descend. She and her co-hosts are disconnected from everyday struggles. They should admit they’re too rich and removed to grasp regular people’s lives.”
{Matzav.com}