“The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg is under fire after accusing the owner of an iconic Staten Island bakery of refusing to serve her cupcakes because of her far-left views.
Goldberg complained during the daytime liberal women’s talk show Wednesday that Holtermann’s Bakery wouldn’t sell her the popular Charlotte Russe desserts she wanted for her 69th birthday because of her “politics.”
She told the audience that the push-pop style confections were a favorite of her mother’s when she was growing up.
“Now, I should tell you, Charlotte Russe has no political leanings, and the place that made these refused to make them for me,” Goldberg said, prompting horrified gasps from the audience and co-hosts.
“They said that their ovens had gone down, all kinds of stuff, but folks went and got them anyway,” Whoopie continued, adding without evidence, “they did not like my politics.”
While Whoopie did not name the shop, it was later identified by Entertainment Weekly as Holtermann’s Bakery on Staten Island, a longstanding family-owned establishment loved by locals.
Jill Holtermann, who owns the bakery, told Entertainment Weekly that “it was not because of political” reasons, but because “we were having trouble with our boilers.”
“I said to Whoopi, ‘I can’t do it right now,’” she told the outlet. “‘We have so many things going on with my boiler,’ because the building is from 1930, so, when she called me, I had no idea [if we could] be baking everything.”
Holtermann acknowledged that she ultimately was able to make 50 of the treats, and that they were picked up early Wednesday morning for “The View’s” taping. Whoopie had planned to give them out to the audience as part of her birthday celebration.
She reiterated that her reluctance to confirm the order had nothing to do with Goldberg’s political beliefs, saying: “I didn’t want to make a commitment that I can’t carry through,” given the technical issues.
On Thursday, loyal customers in the community reportedly flooded the bakery to show support.
“A steady stream of shoppers came and went from Holtermann’s on Thursday, toting bags full of cupcakes, pies, cakes and pastries from the bakery, which customers said has never shown or expressed a preference for any political candidate,” the New York Post reported.
The brouhaha had still had not died down by Friday, with Holtermann holding a press conference flanked by local elected officials to refute Goldberg’s claims.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella defended the business and explained what happened.
“It’s been here 145 years. They had a boiler that was 60 or 70 years old. And the first week in November, guess what? It went on the fritz,” Fossella said.
“They had it replaced. And the reputation of Holtermann’s is impeccable, so rather than commit to something they couldn’t guarantee, they said, ‘we can’t do it.’ And the person who besmirched, defamed them, took that as an insult to her. Well, get over it. This family will be here for, God willing, another 145 years.”
“We’re here to have Holtermann’s Bakery’s back,” said Councilman David Carr. “Because the Holtermann family generationally has had the backs of this community.”
Carr said he was happy to see so many supporters there “to send a message to the person who decided that she was too important for a boiler breakdown.”
Holtermann thanked the community for its support and tearfully described how she had been bombarded with calls since Whoopie had made the comments.
“I’m so overwhelmed by the support. Between finding out yesterday, this even happened, getting phone calls and then people coming in and people from all over just supporting us in every way,” she said. “The support has been so overwhelming and I know how hard my family has worked to keep this business alive.”
Aren’t you glad that you don’t know the always and ever vile and repugnant Whoppi Goldberg?
Imagine - being so mean and nasty and partisan - that you always are looking for an excuse to be outraged because you perceive someone is trying slight you?
Talk about the poster child for a narcissistic personality disordered sociopath.
I wish the bakery would sue for defamation–both Whoopi and The View. It would be glorious if the bakery was awarded and astronomical sum of money.
I understand that Staten Island is kind of a community unto itself in the sea of Leftist nonsense that is NYC but I am really glad to see that the customer base of this bakery ignored Goldberg’s attempt to impugn this business’ reputation & rallied around them. Maybe the harridans of “The View” might eventually realize that they are neither special nor particularly bright.