‘The View’ Goes Sideways When Two Cohosts Claim Black Americans Are Worse Off Than Iranians

“The View” hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin claimed on Wednesday that black people in America were worse off than people living under Iran’s oppressive regime, a claim that was immediately challenged by others at the table.

During a broader conversation about the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, Hostin claimed that Israel’s strike on Iran had not been legal. Goldberg argued that the legality of Israel’s actions should be decided by international bodies like the United Nations. But when cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin suggested that they should consider the possibility that Iran was a bad actor, the whole conversation quickly went off the rails.

WATCH:

Whoopi and Sunny say it’s worse to be black in America today than to live in Iran today. Whoopi shouts down Alyssa Farah Griffin for noting that Iran kills gay people because America is a terrible country. Alyssa stand up to her in a big way:

Alyssa: Let’s remember the Iranians… pic.twitter.com/sxxOK08EPK

— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) June 18, 2025

“Let’s just remember too, the Iranians literally throw gay people off of buildings, they don’t adhere to basic human rights,” Alyssa Farah Griffin began.

“Listen, here’s the thing — let’s not do the — let’s not do that, because if we start with that, we have been known in this country to tie gay folks to the car,” Goldberg objected.

“I’m sorry, but where the Iranian regime is today is nothing compared to the United States,” said Griffin.

“They used to just keep hanging black people!” Goldberg added.

“It’s not even the same,” Griffin repeated.

“Oh no! Oh, wait, wait, wait! That’s not what you mean to say! It is the same,” Goldberg declared.

“No, it’s not. The year 2025 in the United States is nothing like if stepped foot were this outfit in Tehran right now,” Griffin continued. “I can’t have my hair showing, I can’t wear a skirt, I can’t have my arms out.”

Everyone began talking at once, and Goldberg eventually broke through. “That’s why I am saying that it is the same. Murdering someone for their differences not good whoever does it. It’s not good. So that’s why I said you weren’t saying — what I heard was not what you meant.”

“I think it’s very different to live in the United States in 2025 than it is to live in Iran,” Griffin did not back down.

“Not if you’re black,” Goldberg claimed.

“Not for everybody,” Hostin agreed.

“Not if you’re black,” Goldberg said again.

“Guys, don’t go to Tehran. No one at this table should go to Tehran,” Griffin insisted. “There are places much darker than this country.”

“Not everybody feels that way! Not everybody feels that way!” Goldberg said.