Whoopi Goldberg stirred up a controversy on The View when she claimed that a bakery had refused to make special desserts for her 69th birthday due to her political beliefs. The desserts, Charlotte Russe, were intended to celebrate Goldberg’s special day on the show. However, the bakery in question, Holtermann’s Bakery in Staten Island, quickly responded, denying the claim. According to the owner, the refusal was due to technical issues with the bakery’s equipment, not Goldberg’s politics. The incident has sparked discussions about the intersection of politics and business in today’s polarized climate.
Whoopi Goldberg, the outspoken host of The View, recently found herself at the center of a controversy when she made claims about a bakery refusing to make birthday treats for her due to her political views. The incident unfolded during the Wednesday, November 13 episode of the talk show, when Goldberg shared Charlotte Russe desserts with her cohosts to celebrate her 69th birthday.
In the closing moments of the live broadcast, Goldberg explained to her audience that the bakery, which she chose not to name, had initially declined her order for the special treats. Goldberg speculated that the bakery’s refusal was due to her political beliefs.
She said, “They refused to make them for me… perhaps they did not like my politics.” The comment quickly drew attention, especially since Goldberg is known for her liberal viewpoints, which often spark heated debates.
Goldberg clarified that the bakery had told her the ovens were down, but she suspected that there was more to the story. “They said their ovens had gone down, but folks went and got them anyway,” she explained, adding that she wasn’t naming the bakery because of the tension surrounding the situation. “It’s not because I’m a woman, but perhaps they did not like my politics.”
However, the bakery involved, Holtermann’s Bakery on Staten Island, swiftly denied the accusation. Owner Jill Holtermann reached out to Entertainment Weekly to set the record straight. Holtermann confirmed that Goldberg had indeed placed an order for Charlotte Russe desserts two weeks prior to the airing of the show, but she insisted that political differences had nothing to do with the refusal to fulfill the order.
According to Holtermann, the bakery faced technical difficulties with their equipment, specifically issues with their boilers. Holtermann explained, “We were having trouble with our boilers. The building is almost 100 years old, so sometimes equipment fails.” She further clarified that she did not want to commit to an order she wasn’t sure could be completed, given the uncertainty about whether their ovens would be operational. “I can’t do it right now,” Holtermann said she told Goldberg. “We have so many things going on with my boiler.”
Holtermann also revealed that despite the initial setback, Goldberg’s order was eventually fulfilled. Around 7:30 a.m. on the morning of Goldberg’s birthday, a woman picked up about 50 Charlotte Russe desserts from the bakery. Holtermann emphasized that she was unaware of any connection between the person picking up the desserts and Goldberg’s political views or The View.
“The woman who came to pick them up didn’t say she was from The View or anything like that,” Holtermann said. “I just knew she was picking up the order.” She reiterated that the delay had nothing to do with Goldberg’s beliefs and stressed that the bakery had always worked hard to meet their customers’ needs, despite occasional equipment issues.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about how politics and business intersect, especially in today’s highly polarized climate. Goldberg’s comments about the bakery refusing her order because of her politics resonated with many who believe that businesses may sometimes use political disagreements as a reason to withhold service. However, Holtermann’s explanation sheds light on how logistical issues, rather than political differences, can often be behind business decisions.
The situation also highlights the way in which public figures can unintentionally stir controversy with offhand remarks. Goldberg’s comments, made in a lighthearted tone during her birthday celebration, quickly gained traction online. However, as the bakery has pointed out, the real reason for the delay was a more mundane issue with equipment, not any political vendetta.
The incident also reflects the complicated relationship between celebrities and small businesses. Holtermann’s Bakery, a 145-year-old establishment with a loyal local following, has been in business for over a century, and dealing with high-profile customers can sometimes come with its own set of challenges. Holtermann’s quick response to clarify the misunderstanding shows how important it is for businesses to protect their reputation in a climate where accusations can quickly go viral.
While the situation may have caused some embarrassment for all parties involved, it seems that the misunderstanding has been cleared up. Goldberg’s birthday celebration on The View proceeded with her enjoying the Charlotte Russe desserts, and the bakery’s reputation remains intact.
