New York City politicians are urging Whoopi Goldberg to apologize after she alleged on-air that a Staten Island bakery declined her birthday dessert order due to her political views.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella joined Jill Holtermann, owner of Holtermann’s Bakery, at a press conference Friday outside the 145-year-old establishment. Fossella accused Goldberg of unfairly tarnishing the bakery’s reputation.
“She besmirched and defamed this bakery by making things up to suit her narrative,” said Fossella, a Republican. “Good businesspeople don’t care about anyone’s politics.”
Fossella explained that the bakery’s decades-old boiler had broken down at the time, preventing them from committing to large orders. He called on Goldberg to apologize.
“Just say you’re sorry so we can move on,” he added, without directly naming the actor.
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Jill Holtermann expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support the bakery has received since the incident.
“I know how hard my family has worked to keep this business alive,” she said. “I wish my father were here to see this.”
The controversy began Wednesday when Goldberg celebrated her 69th birthday on The View by sharing a tray of Charlotte Russe desserts. She told the audience that obtaining them had been a challenge, alleging the bakery initially refused her order due to her politics, though they cited an equipment malfunction.
“Perhaps they didn’t like my politics,” Goldberg said during the broadcast, adding that others managed to secure the desserts despite the bakery’s claim of oven issues.
Holtermann confirmed her bakery made the desserts but denied any political motivation, maintaining the refusal was due to equipment problems.
Goldberg later doubled down in an Instagram video, claiming it seemed odd the bakery declined her order but fulfilled another for the same desserts placed under a different name.
“It’s all okay, y’all,” Goldberg concluded. “I enjoyed my delicious dessert and had a happy, sweet birthday.”
