Goldberg alleged that the bakery initially refused to fulfill her order because of her political beliefs. However, the owners denied the accusation, explaining that their boilers were out of service
Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of “The View,” refrained from revisiting a dispute with a Staten Island bakery during Monday’s episode of the show. The controversy began after Goldberg claimed the bakery denied her service because of her progressive political beliefs.
The situation unfolded as Goldberg and her co-hosts celebrated her 69th birthday on Wednesday with Charlotte Russe desserts, a nostalgic New York treat. During the celebration, Goldberg shared that her birthday order almost didn’t happen. She alleged that the bakery initially refused to fill the order due to objections to her left-leaning political views.
“They said their ovens had gone down, all kinds of stuff,” Goldberg explained to the audience. “But folks went and got them anyway, which is why I’m not telling you who made them.” While she didn’t name the bakery directly, she implied politics might have played a role in the ordeal.
The bakery in question was later identified as Holtermann’s Bakery, a family-owned establishment with a 145-year history on Staten Island. Observers deduced its identity by examining the Charlotte Russe desserts featured during the birthday celebration.
What did the bakery say?
Bakery owner Jill Holtermann has disputed Whoopi Goldberg’s claims, stating that the situation was not influenced by politics but rather by mechanical issues. Holtermann explained that the bakery, housed in a 1930 building, has been dealing with ongoing problems with its boilers.
“I said to Whoopi, ‘I can’t do it right now,’” Holtermann told reporters. “We have so many things going on with my boiler.” Despite the challenges, the bakery managed to complete the order, and Goldberg and her co-hosts were seen enjoying the desserts live on air during Wednesday’s episode of “The View.”
The matter drew further attention when Holtermann appeared at a press conference on Friday alongside Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. There, she reiterated her side of the story, emphasizing that the delay was due to technical difficulties, not political bias.
