During a recent episode of “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg visibly reacted to a note handed to her on set, subsequently tearing it up. This occurred after Goldberg made a remark suggesting former President Trump used an autopen, prompting ABC to request a live, on-air correction. Goldberg’s initial response to the note included expressions of surprise and frustration, questioning the need for the correction with comments like “What the hell? What?” and “Oh, come on.” She clarified that her autopen comment was intended as a joke, stating, “We don’t know if Trump used an autopen to pardon… It was a joke.”
The incident highlights the tightrope that talk show hosts walk, balancing opinion and humor with the need for factual accuracy. Networks like ABC often have legal teams vetting content to avoid potential defamation lawsuits or the spread of misinformation. The use of autopens for official signatures has been a recurring topic of debate, particularly in the context of presidential actions, though definitive proof of its use in specific instances can be difficult to ascertain. The public reaction to Goldberg’s on-air correction and the subsequent tearing of the note has been varied, underscoring the polarized media landscape and the intense scrutiny faced by public figures.
