Whoopi Goldberg recently stepped forward to clear the air after her name surfaced in documents linked to the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. She addressed the situation head-on, delivering a rather unique defense for her brief appearance in the files, citing a personal phobia that, honestly, makes a lot of sense when you hear it.
During a segment on “The View,” Goldberg explained to fellow hosts Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and guest Savannah Chrisley that her name was indeed in the files, a fact she shared “in the name of transparency,” as reported by The Hill. The specific mention came from a 2013 note that was part of the released documents. This note was an email asking an intermediary for Epstein if the disgraced financier might be willing to lend his private plane, a G-II, for her to use to travel to a charity event.
Goldberg was quick to clarify her position, emphasizing that she was “getting dragged” online over the appearance. “This is my point,” she stated. “When I tell you people are trying to turn me into, I wasn’t his girlfriend. I wasn’t his friend.” One of her co-hosts chimed in, noting that Goldberg was “too old for him,” to which Goldberg agreed, adding that in the past, people “used to have to have facts before you said stuff.”
She also pointed out that her past relationships have always been quite public, often making headlines in various publications
The crucial detail in her defense is her long-standing fear of flying. Goldberg revealed that despite the offer, she never actually got on the plane. She explained that to get on an airplane, she would have to overcome a significant personal hurdle, something she simply didn’t do. This phobia inadvertently kept her far away from any potential connection to Epstein’s world.
It’s clear that the online speculation and accusations have been frustrating for Goldberg. She expressed her exasperation, saying, “People actually believe that I was with him.” Her frustration stems from the quick judgment and the spread of misinformation, especially when her personal history of public relationships contradicts the idea of a secret affiliation.
While President Trump’s name also appears numerous times in the recently released documents, and he told reporters that these new releases absolved him of any wrongdoing, Goldberg was careful to distinguish her situation from his. “I can’t speak to him,” she said of the president, “but I’m speaking about me because I’m getting dragged. It’s like, honey, come on.”
For her, it’s about setting the record straight on her own terms and clarifying her minimal, indirect connection to the situation.
Published: Feb 18, 2026 11:30 am