Whoopi Goldberg’s Bakery Dilemma: Politics or Pure Logistics?

Whoopi Goldberg's Bakery Dilemma: Politics or Pure Logistics?

Whoopi Goldberg’s birthday dessert drama unfolds as a Staten Island bakery denies political motives behind order refusal.

At a Glance

  • Whoopi Goldberg claimed a bakery refused her birthday dessert order due to her political views
  • Holtermann’s Bakery on Staten Island cited boiler issues as the reason for initially declining the order
  • The bakery eventually fulfilled the order, providing 50 Charlotte Russe desserts for “The View” taping
  • The incident has sparked public attention and numerous calls to the bakery

Goldberg’s Birthday Controversy

Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of “The View” and outspoken critic of Donald Trump, recently stirred up controversy during her 69th birthday celebration on the show. Goldberg claimed that a New York City bakery refused to fulfill her dessert order, suggesting it was due to her political views. The dessert in question, Charlotte Russe, held sentimental value for Goldberg as it was a favorite of her late mother.

During the show, Goldberg shared her suspicions about the bakery’s motives, stating:”My birthday dessert today was one of my mom’s favourites from when she was a kid, she talked about these all the time, they’re called Charlotte Russe. It’s a sponge cake with whipped cream and a cherry on top. I should tell you, Charlotte Russe has no political leanings. The place that made these refused to make them for me.”

Bakery’s Response

The bakery in question was identified as Holtermann’s Bakery on Staten Island. Jill Holtermann, the owner, promptly responded to Goldberg’s allegations, denying any political motivation behind the initial refusal. Holtermann explained that the bakery, housed in a building from the 1930s, was experiencing ongoing issues with their vintage boilers.

Holtermann emphasized that the issue was purely logistical, stemming from their concern about committing to an order they might not be able to fulfill due to equipment problems. Despite the initial setback, the bakery eventually managed to produce 50 Charlotte Russe desserts for “The View’s” taping, which were picked up by an unidentified woman on the day of the show.

Public Reaction and Aftermath

The incident has garnered significant public attention, with Holtermann’s Bakery receiving numerous calls since the episode aired. The bakery has declined to comment further to media outlets, maintaining their stance that the issue was solely due to technical difficulties and not politically motivated.


Despite the controversy, Goldberg chose to focus on celebrating her birthday and honoring her mother’s memory during the show. She encouraged her co-hosts and audience to enjoy the desserts, stating:

“They said that their ovens had gone down, but folks went and got them anyway, which is why I’m not telling you who made them. It’s not… because I’m a woman, but perhaps they did not like my politics. But, that’s okay, because you know what, listen, this is my mother’s celebration. Pick these up and celebrate with me and my mom. Thank you everyone for celebrating my birthday today.”

This incident highlights how quickly service discrepancies can escalate into broader discussions about political influence and business practices. It also underscores the challenges faced by small businesses in managing customer expectations while dealing with operational issues. As the story continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication between businesses and customers to prevent misunderstandings and potential controversies.