‘We’re going to lose you’: Whoopi Goldberg officially steps away from ‘The View’ for a limited period following explosive Trump outburst
‘Fix the war. Fix the economy.’
Whoopi Goldberg is officially stepping away from her role as moderator on The View for a limited period. According to Atlanta Black Star, this upcoming break spans two weeks and follows a highly publicized, explosive outburst from the longtime host directed at President Donald Trump on the September 16, 2026, episode of The View.
The news broke during Goldberg’s sit-down with producer Brian Teta on an episode of the Behind the Table podcast on the same day. Teta confirmed the schedule shift while speaking with Goldberg. He told her, “We’re going to lose you for a couple of days,” and noted, “You’re going to be gone over the next two weeks.”
It is important to note that Goldberg will not disappear from the show entirely. She will still make appearances on Mondays throughout this period. For the remaining days, viewers can expect to see several familiar faces. Former co-hosts Lisa Ling, Star Jones, Sherri Shepherd, and Debbie Matenopoulos are scheduled to fill the empty seats. Longtime co-host Joy Behar will step into the moderator chair during Goldberg’s absence.
The timing of this announcement has generated significant buzz among fans
This is largely because the break comes so soon after Goldberg delivered a passionate, on-air rant during the September 16 episode. The panel had been discussing various political developments before shifting focus to a contentious dispute involving President Donald Trump and the Kennedy Center.
A federal ruling recently prevented the President from having his name restored to the venue. Following that decision, the board he appointed voted to close the building. Goldberg did not hold back when the topic surfaced. She declared, “I want all of this insanity to stop. I’m sick of this.” Her frustration was palpable as she addressed the President directly during the broadcast.
Goldberg argued that the Kennedy Center is not his property. She told him, “Listen, you cannot have the Kennedy Center, man. It’s not yours. It is never [going to be]. Fix the war. Forget the building. Fix the war. Fix the economy.” She expressed confusion regarding why he was focused on removing items from museums instead of prioritizing the needs of the American public.
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin compared the President’s reaction to a child storming off with their own ball. Goldberg challenged this analogy. She pointed out that the center is a memorial and belongs to someone else. She said, “It’s like you’re asking to put your name on somebody’s grave. What are you doing? Go to work!” When Griffin suggested he should focus on the economy instead, Goldberg agreed, stating, “Yes, and people would be happy if you did.”
This friction between Trump and Goldberg is nothing new
Their history stretches back to the 1990s when the President hired Goldberg to perform stand-up comedy at his casinos in Atlantic City. Years later, he criticized her act during his campaign rallies. He claimed her routines were “filthy dirty” and suggested audiences walked out. Goldberg pushed back on The View by asking him, “Are you dumb? You hired me four times.”
Despite the intense timing of this departure, Goldberg’s absence is actually tied to a separate professional commitment. According to Entertainment Weekly, she is heading off to film a new movie titled Women Like Us. This project is produced by Barack and Michelle Obama. The film also stars Vivica A. Fox, Vanessa Williams, and Jenifer Lewis.
Goldberg shared her excitement about the project on the podcast. She described it as a story about “change and getting older and having fun with your friends and people who get you.” She told Teta, “It’s about finding your people. I’m excited to do it. It’ll be fun.”
The 70-year-old actress even mentioned that she has been preparing for a specific scene involving yoga on a paddleboard. She admitted that she does not love the water, but she is determined to complete the task. She noted, “I do most of the things that I do because I know people are not waiting for me to fail, but they’re waiting for me to bail.”
This is not the first time Goldberg has taken a break from the show
The long-time moderator has often pursued other creative endeavors in recent years. She has previously stepped away to film projects like the Italian soap opera Un Posto Al Sole and the long-delayed Anansi Boys adaptation. She has frequently expressed that the flexibility of The View is a major draw for her career.
However, Goldberg has been candid about her financial motivations as well. During an appearance on Keke Palmer’s podcast in August, she admitted she might leave the show if she had more money. She told listeners, “I don’t know that I’d still be doing the show. But, a girl’s gotta eat, and I never married well, so, I still have to support myself!”
For now, fans can expect to see her back on Mondays while the production of her new film moves forward. It is a busy time for the star as she balances her daytime duties with this new Netflix project.
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