Whoopi Goldberg did not hold back in her assessment of the heated Oval Office exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling it one of the most humiliating diplomatic moments she has ever witnessed.
Speaking on The View during Monday’s broadcast, Goldberg criticized Trump’s handling of the meeting, which quickly escalated into a tense confrontation broadcast live to the world.
“You know, that has to be one of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever seen,” Goldberg said. “This is a leader of a sovereign nation, and you are doing theater with him, because you’re trying to show that you’re the hard guy. But I don’t think anybody wanted you to be the hard guy.”
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky on Friday was supposed to be a formal diplomatic exchange but quickly turned into an openly hostile encounter. Trump criticized Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude toward the United States, despite billions of dollars in military aid provided to Ukraine amid its war with Russia.
“You don’t have the cards,” Trump bluntly told Zelensky, dismissing Ukraine’s negotiating power against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump’s tone and treatment of Zelensky drew widespread backlash, with many accusing him of undermining Ukraine at a critical moment in its struggle for sovereignty. Goldberg joined the chorus of critics, arguing that the American people, including Trump’s supporters, likely did not appreciate the way the meeting played out.
“I don’t think you asked anybody how they felt, how people who voted for you feel about what you’re doing,” Goldberg said. “You didn’t ask them if they want to be operatives of Putin’s government. You haven’t asked that.”
Following the Oval Office debacle, Trump escalated tensions further by ordering a pause on U.S. aid to Ukraine. The decision, announced on Monday, sent shockwaves through Washington and Kyiv, raising concerns about Ukraine’s ability to continue resisting Russia’s military aggression.
Many lawmakers, including members of Trump’s own party, expressed frustration over the move, warning that it signaled weakness to Putin and risked destabilizing the region even further.
Despite the backlash, Trump remained firm, framing the decision as part of his “America First” approach. He argued that the U.S. had already given enough to Ukraine and that Zelensky should be more grateful instead of making additional requests.
As the debate over U.S. support for Ukraine intensifies, Goldberg made it clear where she stands.
“And I’m sorry, I do stand with you, Zelensky,” she said as the live studio audience applauded. “Because you’ve been fighting. Your country’s been fighting, and you’ve been doing it on your own, and you’ve been getting help, but I stand with y’all.”
Goldberg’s passionate defense of Ukraine drew a strong response from viewers, with many praising her for using her platform to highlight the importance of supporting a nation that has been fighting to defend its independence.
She ended with a final rebuke of Trump’s rhetoric, rejecting the idea that Russia should have any claim over Ukrainian territory.
“Nobody should ever be able to come into your country and say, ‘This is my country,’” she said.
Goldberg’s remarks come at a time when Trump’s handling of foreign policy is under renewed scrutiny. His relationship with Putin has long been a subject of controversy, and his decision to halt aid to Ukraine is likely to fuel further concerns about his stance on Russia.
The latest incident also adds to the growing divide within the Republican Party over how to approach the war in Ukraine. While some GOP leaders support continued military assistance, others have echoed Trump’s calls to limit U.S. involvement.
As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s foreign policy decisions—and his treatment of allies like Zelensky—will likely be major points of contention. With Goldberg and others speaking out, the debate over America’s role in global conflicts is far from over.
