Whoopi Goldberg defended Carrie Underwood’s choice to sing at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, but also said she has no plans to watch the event at all. However, Goldberg did address the backlash against the country music superstar.
Goldberg said that politicians and public figures are entitled to make their own decisions and their rights should be respected. On The View, she said, “I stand behind them. If I believe I have the right to make up my mind about performing in a venue, I believe (they) have the same right to support me. will be.”
Goldberg then pointed to the significance of that day being Martin Luther King Day, saying he was not interested in Trump’s event. She said, “It doesn’t mean I’m particularly interested. I wouldn’t watch, but that’s just me.”
This aroused mixed feelings among Goldberg’s fellow co-hosts. Alyssa Farrah Griffin expressed support for Underwood’s move, indicating her stance against efforts to boycott artists over their political views. On the other hand, Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin argued how Trump’s troubled presidency could be validated through such acts.
Behar said, “How do you love your country and support and normalize someone who is a convicted criminal and really wants to destroy the country, in my opinion. I would not be the one to say That ‘don’t do that’ because I believe in free speech. But I personally wouldn’t do that.”
Meanwhile, Hostin agreed with Behar but maintained a belief in free speech and artistic rights.
Whoopi Goldberg said there will be more discussion about all the other performers at Donald Trump’s inauguration, with more debate likely to take place in the coming days.
Also read: What did The View’s Sunny Hostin say about Kamala Harris? Find out how Whoopi Goldberg corrected that on-air statement
