Whoopi Goldberg’s live reaction on “The View” to a note passed by co-host Sunny Hostin has become a viral moment, capturing the tension and challenges of live television commentary. During the November 3, 2025 episode, Goldberg reportedly tore up a note from Hostin that asked her to clarify a joke she made about President Donald Trump using an autopen to sign a pardon. Goldberg insisted the comment was a joke and showed frustration over the loss of nuance in media discussions.
The Joke That Sparked the Moment
The exchange unfolded during a segment discussing Trump’s recent interview on “60 Minutes” and his pardon of Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the convicted founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Hostin pointed out that Trump claimed he did not know anything about the pardon, despite having signed it, as reported by the New York Post. She highlighted the Trump family’s reported $1.8 billion in profits linked to government dealings and questioned why Trump would not know who he was pardoning.
Goldberg responded with a quip, saying Trump used an autopen, a mechanical device that replicates a person’s signature, to sign the pardon, as reported by the New York Post. The joke referenced Biden’s staffers’ use of an autopen to sign several pardons during the final days of his presidency, a fact reported earlier in the year.
The Note and Goldberg’s Reaction
Minutes after the joke, Hostin reportedly passed Goldberg a note on air asking her to clarify that it was a joke, emphasizing that it was not confirmed whether Trump actually used an autopen for the pardon. Goldberg’s reaction was immediate and emphatic. She looked at the note with surprise and said, “What the hell? What?” before reading it aloud, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. Then she tore the note to pieces, declaring, “It was a joke!”
Goldberg expressed frustration with the current media environment, saying the hardest part of her job is that “no one understands nuance,” as reported by Entertainment Weekly. She explained that viewers know when she is joking and when she is making serious points, especially on a show like “The View,” where she said she is “very specific” about her commentary. Goldberg called the need for clarification “ridiculous” and emphasized that the joke was made in good humor.
Behind the Scenes of Live TV
The note Hostin passed reportedly came from the show’s production team, reflecting the fine line talk shows walk between commentary and factual accuracy. Hostin, a former prosecutor and legal expert, often provides legal clarifications during the show, aiming to keep discussions grounded in verified information. This incident reveals the behind-the-scenes tension in live television, where hosts must balance sharp commentary with the risk of misinformation.
This was not the first time Hostin has been involved in a note-passing incident on “The View.” Earlier in the year, she and co-host Joy Behar exchanged what was described as an “inappropriate” note on air, which became a talking point among viewers and media observers, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
Audience and Co-Host Reactions
The audience reportedly applauded Goldberg’s defiant gesture. The moment underscored the emotional charge surrounding political commentary on television. Conservative co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin even joked about enjoying the note-passing, saying, “I love when Sunny passes notes!” as reported by Entertainment Weekly — adding a layer of levity to the tense exchange.
Goldberg also used the moment to pivot back to a serious critique of Trump’s immigration policies, expressing outrage over the treatment of immigrants attending court hearings and the broader enforcement tactics. According to the New York Post, she questioned the credibility of Trump’s statements in light of recent events in Chicago and elsewhere, underscoring the show’s blend of humor and hard-hitting political discussion.
The Broader Context
This incident comes amid reports that “The View” hosts were asked to dial back their criticism of Trump earlier in the year, following ABC’s cost-cutting measures and layoffs. According to Page Six, sources indicated that morale on set was low, and there was pressure to moderate the tone of political discussions, especially as Trump’s influence on media and regulatory bodies like the FCC has intensified.
Trump himself has been actively pressuring major broadcast networks, with ABC News and CBS News reportedly having paid $16 million settlements to Trump over on-air comments, reflecting the high stakes involved in political media coverage.
What This Moment Reveals
Goldberg’s tearing up of the note is more than a simple on-air reaction. It reveals the challenges faced by television personalities navigating the complex terrain of political satire, factual accuracy, and audience expectations. The incident underscores how quickly a joke can become a flashpoint in today’s polarized media environment, where every word is scrutinized and the demand for precision can clash with the spontaneity of live discussion.
For viewers, it is a reminder that talk shows like “The View” operate at the intersection of entertainment and news, where humor and serious debate coexist uneasily. Goldberg’s insistence that her audience understands when she is joking invites a conversation about the role of nuance in political discourse and the pressures on media figures to clarify or retract statements in real time.
As the political climate remains charged and media scrutiny intensifies, moments like these will likely continue to spark debate about the boundaries of commentary and the expectations placed on public figures in the spotlight.
