New York, NY — A national media firestorm erupted this week after a Fox News host made what many are calling a “deeply inappropriate and demeaning” joke about Whoopi Goldberg’s personal life, sparking widespread backlash and calls for accountability.

During a late-night segment on Fox News, the unnamed host cracked a crude remark about Goldberg’s sex life in a moment that some critics described as “shock-jock cruelty disguised as commentary.” The joke, which aired during a panel discussion, was met with uneasy laughter from some guests, but drew instant condemnation online.

Within minutes, social media lit up with hashtags like #RespectWhoopi and #FoxNewsApologize, as fans, public figures, and fellow entertainers rushed to defend the longtime actress, comedian, and co-host of The View.

“That crossed the line — totally unacceptable,” Goldberg said in a brief but pointed statement on The View the following morning. “It wasn’t funny. It was personal. And it speaks volumes about where we are when women over 50 can still be publicly ridiculed like that just for existing.”

Support from Hollywood Floods In

Support quickly poured in from across the entertainment industry. Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“Whoopi has broken more barriers than most of us will in a lifetime. She deserves respect, not ridicule.”

Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, echoed the sentiment:

“Mocking a woman’s sexuality — especially a Black woman of Whoopi’s stature — isn’t edgy. It’s lazy. It’s cheap. And it’s dangerous.”

Even longtime critic of The View, Meghan McCain, tweeted:

“We’ve disagreed often, but what happened to Whoopi was out of bounds. It was wrong. Period.”

Fox News Yet to Respond

As of this publication, Fox News has yet to issue an official statement or apology regarding the incident. Internal sources, however, suggest that the network’s leadership is “aware of the controversy” and “monitoring the situation closely.” Meanwhile, some advertisers are reportedly reconsidering their placement during the segment’s time slot.

Bigger Conversations Ahead

The incident has reignited discussions around ageism, sexism, and racism in media, with cultural critics noting how female public figures — especially Black women — are disproportionately subjected to inappropriate commentary and “humor” at their expense.

Goldberg, for her part, ended her statement on a high note:

“I’ve been in this game for decades. I’ve heard it all. But I’ll always call it out when it needs to be. Silence isn’t strength — truth is.”