Whoopi Goldberg is facing mounting criticism from Staten Island leaders and New York City politicians following her comments on "The View," suggesting a local bakery refused her birthday order due to her political beliefs. The controversy centers on Holtermann's Bakery, a 145-year-old Staten Island institution, which Goldberg implied had denied her request for a batch of Charlotte Russe desserts over political differences. Bakery owner Jill Holtermann and supporters, including Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, have demanded an apology, asserting that the issue stemmed from an equipment malfunction, not political bias.
Speaking at a press conference outside the bakery, Fossella said Goldberg's allegations "besmirched and defamed" a cherished family business. "Not everybody wakes up everyday thinking about politics," he said, emphasizing that Holtermann's decision not to fulfill Goldberg's order was due to a decades-old boiler malfunction. "Just say you're sorry so we can put this behind us," Fossella added, though he refrained from mentioning Goldberg by name.
Holtermann expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, noting that her bakery had been inundated with orders since the controversy began. "I know how hard my family has worked to keep this business alive," she said. "I wish my father was here today to see this."
The dispute started when Goldberg, during her birthday celebration on "The View," claimed that securing the desserts had been difficult. "Charlotte Russe has no political leanings, and the place that made these refused to make them for me," she said. While Goldberg did not initially name the bakery, she suggested politics played a role in the refusal. "It's not because I'm a woman, but perhaps they did not like my politics," she added, drawing gasps from the audience and prompting a co-host to spit out the cake in mock protest.
In response, Holtermann confirmed it was her bakery but maintained that the decision was solely due to equipment issues. Goldberg, however, doubled down on her claims in an Instagram video, stating, "It does seem a little odd that when we called a few weeks before my birthday... they couldn't process the order... But somehow they were able to accept an order of a different 48 of the same dessert when somebody else called without using my name." She concluded by saying the incident did not ruin her birthday.
Staten Island Councilman David Carr, speaking at the press conference, dismissed Goldberg's allegations as a display of entitlement. "She had to have her pastries, and if it wasn't coming to her, it must have been someone else's fault; it must have been a direct insult to her," Carr said. He insisted that the bakery serves all customers without regard to political beliefs. "Staten Islanders don't serve people based on their political opinions. They serve everyone who comes through their door."
The backlash against Goldberg has resulted in increased support for Holtermann's Bakery. Holtermann shared stories of customers donating pastries to local schools and firehouses, a testament to the community's solidarity. "I really am overwhelmed," she said.
