Whoopi Goldberg came under fire on Wednesday for comparing being Black in the United States to being a woman or a gay person living in Iran.
The 69-year-old comic‘s controversial statement came during a fiery debate on “The View” with co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who stated that women, gay people and other marginalized groups in Iran are persecuted by a government that has little regard for human rights.
Goldberg fired back by saying that hate crimes against gay and Black people happen in the U.S. as well.
Griffin, who served in the Trump White House during his first presidency, argued that the way women and minorities are treated in the U.S. is no way comparable to what such groups endure in Iran.
“It is the same,” Goldberg said, adding that hate crimes are terrible anywhere they occur.
“I think it’s very different to live in the U.S. in 2025 than it is to live in Iran,” Griffin said, trying to simplify her point.
“Not if you’re Black!” Goldberg insisted.
The backlash on social media was swift.
“Whoopi can freely travel without the consent of a male relative, show her hair, sing, dance, and express her unfiltered sh–ty opinions on TV without being arrested,” wrote X user The Persian Jewess, who identifies herself in her bio as a child of refugees.
“Women in Iran are beaten, raped and killed for showing their hair,” another critic posted. “So here’s Whoopi Goldberg equating her life as a multimillionaire celebrity in America, not only equating, but saying Black people have it worse in America.”
NEW: Whoopi Goldberg says black people living in America have it just as bad as people living in Iran.
Alyssa Farah: “I think it’s very different to live in the United States in 2025 than it is to live in Iran.”
Goldberg: “Not if you’re black.” pic.twitter.com/RiXBN1MK14
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 18, 2025
Goldberg conceded on Wednesday’s program that “this is the greatest country in the world,” but added that African-Americans face hardships directly related to bigotry. She pointed to the fear of police brutality and if “our kids are gonna get shot running through somebody’s neighborhood” that Black people live with on a daily basis.
The heated debate came as Iran and Israel continued their sixth consecutive day of trading missile fire. Violence between the countries exploded Friday morning when Israel launched a series of strikes aimed to cripple Iran’s nuclear program and weapons systems.
The conflict is fueling discussions about a potential regime change in Iran, where ideological Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled since 1989.
