Whoopi Goldberg alleged a Staten Island bakery denied her service because they disagreed with her left-leaning political views during an episode of “The View” this week, while the owner of the business later asserted it was due to mechanical issues.
As Goldberg and her co-hosts celebrated her 69th birthday during Wednesday’s episode with desserts from the bakery, she shared with the audience that her order had almost fallen through because of their objection to her liberal stances.
“They said that their ovens had gone down, all kinds of stuff, but folks went and got them anyway, which is why I’m not telling you who made them,” said Goldberg. She continued that her order was rejected because “they did not like my politics.”
Remaining outspoken in her political views, Goldberg has not spoken the name of Donald Trump on air since he was elected.
After the episode was aired, Entertainment Weekly later identified the establishment as Holtermann’s Bakery by the appearance of the Charlotte Russe desserts, which were packaged in white-paper cups with pink polka dots, an alleged marker of the business.
Opened in 1878, Holtermann’s is one of New York state’s oldest bakeries, running for nearly 150 years.
While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, bakery owner Jill Holtermann denied refusing service to Goldberg for politically-motivated reasons, explaining that the bakery’s issues stemmed from mechanical problems with their boilers, which she said is an ongoing challenge in their building that was built in 1930.
“I said to Whoopi, ‘I can’t do it right now’,” Holtermann told the outlet. “We have so many things going on with my boiler.” She added, “I didn’t want to make a commitment that I can’t carry through.”
Holtermann confirmed that she ultimately was able to make the 50 treats Goldberg ordered, which were picked up early Wednesday morning for “The View’s” taping.
Goldberg also shared that the Charlotte Russe delicacies she brought on the show are a nostalgic New York dessert that was her mother’s favorite, and encouraged the audience and her co-hosts Alyssa Farah Griffin, Joy Behar, Sara Haines and Sunny Hostin, to try them anyway.
“But that’s okay because, you know what? Listen, this is my mother’s celebration,” said Goldberg. “Pick these up and celebrate with me and my mom. Thank you everyone for celebrating my birthday today.”
