Jill Biden had Whoopi Goldberg in her corner on Tuesday’s episode of The View. The former First Lady stopped by the Hot Topics table to chat about her new memoir, View from the East Wing, which includes her reflections on the fallout from her husband, Joe Biden‘s poor performance at the 2024 presidential debate against Donald Trump. The former president ultimately dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, with Kamala Harris taking on the Democratic ticket. brought up how “suddenly there was a lot of
vocal Democratic supporters” such as Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and George Clooney “who worked behind the scenes to get Joe to step down.” While Jill clarified that their efforts were “maybe not so behind the scenes,” Goldberg insisted that she has “to try to be nice and everything” on the air. Jill quipped, “Oh yeah, sure, Whoopi’s trying to be nice!” Goldberg continued, noting that Jill wrote in her new book that she “stepped outside of [her] role as a protective spouse” and “understood Obama’s
point of view” on the situation at the time. “So how hard was it for you to hear it?” Goldberg asked. “Personally, I really was a little pissed off at the [Hot Topics] table the next day.” Jill replied, “I love that about you!” “It was bad timing for a bad moment,” Goldberg added. “Because he had just come back. He had been doing all this stuff… And being fed this line from other people saying, ‘Oh, you know, he’s Sleepy Joe. He can’t do
anything.’” Ana Navarro chimed in, “Not just other people. Some of them were your lifelong friends.” Goldberg said, “Yes, that’s my point. And some were from the other side, because the other side is what started stirring the pot. And then folks got onboard, and it blew up.” Sunny Hostin noted that former President Barack Obama spoke to the Bidens “privately” about his thoughts on the matter, though Jill also noted that he “spoke publicly, as well.” “And so it was really hurtful,” Jill said.
“You have to remember, we’re not just President and First Lady. We’re parents, we have children, we have grandchildren. I mean, the hurt, yes, we can take it. We’re in the public eye. We’re public servants. But for our kids and our grandkids to go through that, it was rough. It was rough. And it was heartbreaking, and that’s why Joe had to decide to get out because he had lost the support of the Democratic party. And there were lots of friends who we
kind of counted on who we knew for 50 years. 50.” After Navarro asked if Pelosi ever spoke to the former First Lady “privately,” Jill confirmed that Pelosi had a breakfast with her husband, but never spoke to her before Jill found out in the press. Navarro conceded, “It’s politics.” However, Goldberg did not necessarily agree. “It’s politics, but you know what? If you got something to say, if you think I can’t do my job, come and tell me,” Goldberg explained. “Don’t announce it
on television! Don’t write an op-ed! Call me!” Goldberg received a round of applause from The View‘s studio audience, as Jill thanked her. The View airs on weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.
Jill Biden, Whoopi Goldberg, The View, Hot Topics, Joe Biden, 2024 presidential debate, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, George Clooney, Barack Obama, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin