Whoopi Goldberg suspended from ‘The View’ over Holocaust remarks
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By Kelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Whoopi Goldberg is facing a two-week suspension from co-hosting duties on “The View” after saying during Monday’s episode that the Holocaust was “not about race,” ABC executives confirmed Tuesday night.
“While Whoopi has apologized, I’ve asked her to take time to reflect and learn about the impact of her comments. The entire ABC News organization stands in solidarity with our Jewish colleagues, friends, family and communities,” ABC News President Kim Godwin said in a statement posted to Twitter on Tuesday.
Goldberg’s comments were made during a discussion on the daily talk show about a Tennessee school board’s vote to ban the Pulitzer Prize-winning Holocaust graphic novel “Maus.” Specifically, the comedian and actress argued that the Holocaust transcended the issue of race.
“The Holocaust isn’t about race. No, it’s not about race,” Goldberg, 66, said.
“It’s about man’s inhumanity to man,” she added, saying the genocide was between “two groups of white people.”
Godwin called Goldberg’s comments “wrong and hurtful.”
Goldberg apologized a second time at the beginning of the show, calling her Monday remarks misinformed and expressing remorse for having said them, The New York Times reported.
“I said something that I feel a responsibility for not leaving unexamined because my words upset so many people, which was never my intention. …And I understand why now, and for that I am deeply, deeply grateful because the information I got was really helpful and helped me understand some different things,” Goldberg said, according to the Times.
Through the years Promotional studio portrait of American comedians Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal, the hosts of the 'Comedy Relief' variety benefit special, 1986. (Photo by HBO/Getty Images) (HBO/Getty Images)
Through the years 1996 - Whoopi Goldberg Stars As Manhattan Limo Driver "Eddie" Who Becomes Honoary Coach Of The New York Nicks (Photo By Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years 1/11/98 Los Angeles, CA. Whoopi Goldberg received a Special Tribute on the 24th Annual "People's Choice Awards." (Brenda Chase/Getty Images)
Through the years 1999 Whoopi Goldberg Stars As The "Cheshire Cat" In The Tv Movie "Alice In Wonderland." (Photo By Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years Actress Whoopi Goldberg is introduced to Queen Sofia of Spain by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at a state dinner February 23, 2000 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ron Sachs/Pool) (Pool/Getty Images)
Through the years Actress Whoopi Goldberg on the set of Rat Race on October 9, 2000 in Lancaster, CA. (Photo by Eric Ford /Online USA) (Eric Ford/Getty Images)
Through the years Comedian and actress Whoopi Goldberg gets a kiss from Mickey Mouse as she arrives to a V.I.P. party on the eve of the public grand opening of ''Disney's California Adventure'' theme park, February 7, 2001 in Anaheim, CA. The 55-acre park next to Disneyland is based upon California themes of past and present. (Photo by David McNew/Newsmakers) (David McNew/Getty Images)
Through the years Honoree Whoopi Goldberg, left, and Drew Barrymore mingle at the Women In Film Silver Anniversary "Crystal Awards Luncheon" June 8, 2001 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, CA. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Getty Images) (Chris Weeks/Getty Images)
Through the years Actors Whoopi Goldberg and Sir Nigel Hawthorne perform in the television show "Call Me Claus." (Photo Courtesy of TNT/Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years Actress Whoopi Goldberg is featured in the television show "TNT: We Know Drama." (Photo Courtesy of TNT/Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years Comedian Whoopi Goldberg attends the Broadway Opening of "American Idiot" at the St. James Theatre on April 20, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Through the years Actor/comedian Robin Williams, actress/comedian Whoopi Goldberg and actor/comedian Billy Crystal attend The Face of Tisch 2010 Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 6, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images) (Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images)
Through the years (L-R) TV personality Joy Behar, actress Grace Hightower and actress/producer Whoopi Goldberg attend the Broadway opening night of "Sister Act" at the Broadway Theatre on April 20, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images) (Joe Corrigan/Getty Images)
Through the years Whoopi Goldberg attends the 65th Annual Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre on June 12, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Through the years Whoopi Goldberg attends the Tribeca Film Festival 2013 portrait studio on April 19, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) (Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
Through the years Whoopi Goldberg arrives at 55th Annual CLIO Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on October 1, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images) (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
Through the years Actress and TV personality Whoopi Goldberg speaks onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years Actress Whoopi Goldberg attends the grand opening Of SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Robin Williams Center on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Through the years (L-R) In this handout photo provided by Disney Resorts, hosts Sunny Hostin, Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, guest John Stamos, Sara Haines and Jedediah Bila pose on ABC's "The View" broadcasting from Disneys Animal Kingdom on March 6, 2017 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. "The View" broadcasts from Walt Disney World Resort 11a.m-12p.m. ET, through Friday, March 10. (Photo by Todd Anderson/Disney Resorts via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
Through the years Whoopi Goldberg attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Through the years Whoopi Goldberg attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Through the years Whoopi Goldberg attends Tyler Perry Studios grand opening gala at Tyler Perry Studios on October 05, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul R. Giunta/Getty Images) (Paul R. Giunta/Getty Images)
Through the years Whoopi Goldberg attends Common's "Bluebird Memories - A Journey Through Lyrics & Life" hosted by Audible at the Minetta Lane Theatre on January 10, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Audible) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Audible)
Through the years Whoopi Goldberg attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue ) (DIMITRIOS.KAMBOURIS@GETTYIMAGES.COM/Getty Images for The Met Museum/)
Through the years Whoopi Goldberg attends the 25th Annual ACE Awards on November 02, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Accessories Council) (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Accessories Cou)