On November 2025, a moment of controversy erupted on the popular talk show The View after co-host Whoopi Goldberg made a statement that stunned both fans and the public at large. The topic of discussion: gymnastics legend Simone Biles, widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Goldberg’s remarks sparked an immediate backlash that not only jeopardized the reputation of the show but also placed its parent network in financial peril.
Simone Biles, the celebrated American gymnast who has garnered numerous Olympic medals and world championships, has long been a symbol of resilience and perfection in the world of sports. Her accomplishments, including her triumphs at the 2016 Rio Olympics and her incredible return to competition after stepping down from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health, have made her a beacon of hope for athletes and individuals worldwide.
However, during an episode of The View, Goldberg made a statement that immediately incensed Simone Biles’ supporters. In a segment discussing athletes, mental health, and the pressure to perform at the highest level, Goldberg said, “We’re not here to honor your stupid pride.” This comment was made in reference to Biles’ decision to prioritize her mental well-being over competing in the Tokyo Olympics.
Goldberg’s words were perceived by many as not just a critique of Biles’ decision but as an insult to the gymnast’s character and achievements. The term “stupid pride” appeared to undermine Biles’ right to make her own choices about her body and mental health. This was especially inflammatory given Biles’ role in advocating for mental health awareness, particularly among athletes who often face immense pressure.
The reaction was swift and overwhelming. Tens of thousands of fans, including many from the gymnastics community, rallied to Biles’ defense. Social media exploded with condemnation of Goldberg’s comments, with fans voicing their anger on Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms. The hashtag #BoycottTheView began trending, and online petitions to have Goldberg removed from the show were launched.
For many, Simone Biles represents not only athletic excellence but also the courage to speak out about mental health. Her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics was an act of bravery that helped reshape the conversation around athletes’ well-being. Goldberg’s dismissive attitude toward Biles’ decision was seen as a direct attack on that narrative.
By the end of the day, the fallout had escalated to such an extent that The View’s producers were forced to address the situation. Statements from the network and Goldberg herself were issued in an attempt to quell the unrest. However, the damage had been done.
Simone Biles herself weighed in on the controversy with an official statement that both defended her actions and called out Goldberg’s comments. In her post, Biles emphasized that her decision to step back from competition was a personal one, made with the understanding that mental health should always come first. “It takes more strength to walk away and take care of yourself than it does to remain in an environment that is harmful,” Biles wrote.
However, what truly amplified the situation was the financial threat that Biles’ post posed to The View and its parent network, ABC. Biles’ fans, many of whom are also major advertisers, rallied behind her in the wake of Goldberg’s insult. They flooded social media and petitioned companies to reconsider their advertisements on the show. In less than five hours, reports indicated that the show was at risk of losing more than $20 million in advertising revenue due to a sudden drop in viewer trust and sponsorship.
Advertisers, sensing the growing public outrage, began to pull back their support. Some even issued statements expressing their disapproval of Goldberg’s comments, reaffirming their commitment to supporting mental health initiatives and athletes like Biles.
The financial ramifications of the scandal were not lost on the network. As The View is one of the most-watched daytime talk shows, its financial success depends heavily on brand partnerships and advertising revenue. With the mounting pressure from fans and advertisers, the show faced a potentially devastating loss of credibility and revenue.
The $20 million figure represents just a portion of the revenue that could be at risk if the scandal continued to escalate. The network was forced to step in, with executives considering several options to mitigate the damage. These included revising the content of upcoming episodes, addressing Goldberg’s comments more formally, and possibly even implementing public apologies.
While the immediate future of The View was uncertain, one thing was clear: the incident had underscored the delicate balance that talk shows must maintain when dealing with controversial issues. In the age of social media, where public opinion can turn quickly, the repercussions of a single ill-timed remark can have far-reaching effects.
In the days following the incident, Goldberg publicly apologized for her comments, acknowledging the hurt they had caused and clarifying her stance on mental health. Biles, ever the professional, accepted the apology, but the damage to the show’s reputation lingered.
This controversy highlighted the growing importance of mental health advocacy, particularly in the world of sports, and the delicate responsibility that media figures like Goldberg hold when discussing sensitive topics. Simone Biles, who has already proven herself to be a trailblazer in gymnastics, has once again shown that her voice matters far beyond the gym. In defending herself, she not only protected her own dignity but also became a symbol of strength in the face of public scrutiny.
For The View and Whoopi Goldberg, the incident serves as a cautionary tale of how quickly a public figure’s words can backfire. The outrage that followed reminded everyone that disrespecting an icon like Simone Biles can have far-reaching consequences, both for personal reputations and the financial health of a major network.
