Whoopi Goldberg Slams White House Over Texas Flood Chaos on The View – Leavitt Hits Back with Fury!

In a heated segment on The View aired on July 8, 2025, co-host Whoopi Goldberg sparked controversy by criticizing the White House’s response to the devastating flash floods in central Texas, which claimed over 100 lives when the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The remarks, directed at the Trump administration’s handling of the crisis, drew a sharp and fiery response from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, escalating tensions between the talk show and the administration. This exchange has ignited debates across media platforms, highlighting deep divisions over disaster response, political accountability, and the role of media in crises.

The Texas Flood Crisis: A Humanitarian Tragedy

The catastrophic flooding in Kerr County, Texas, has been described as one of the worst natural disasters in the state’s recent history. Torrential rains overwhelmed the region, causing the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly and devastate communities. Homes were swept away, families were displaced, and emergency services were stretched to their limits. First responders and volunteers worked tirelessly, earning praise for their bravery, but questions quickly arose about the adequacy of early warning systems and federal support.

The National Weather Service faced scrutiny for its forecasting accuracy, with some critics alleging that budget cuts had impaired its ability to predict the flood’s severity. Others pointed to Kerr County’s failure to install flood sirens, a measure debated since 2017 but never implemented. Amid the grief and chaos, political figures, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, urged the public to focus on recovery rather than politicizing the tragedy. However, the issue became a lightning rod for debate, with fingers pointed at both state and federal authorities.

Whoopi Goldberg’s Critique on The View

During the July 8 episode of The View, the co-hosts discussed the Texas floods, emphasizing the heroism of first responders and the need for systemic improvements. Whoopi Goldberg, known for her outspoken commentary, took aim at the White House, suggesting that the Trump administration’s policies, particularly its push to streamline federal agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), had weakened disaster preparedness. “I’m shocked that this is coming out of my mouth,” Goldberg began, a rare acknowledgment of her reluctance to defend the administration. “I’m not pointing a finger at the man in the White House, but I’m saying there’s a state that’s in trouble, and it doesn’t seem like anything is changing.”

Goldberg’s critique intensified as she questioned the federal government’s role in supporting Texas. She argued that the state’s recurring flood issues demanded more robust federal intervention, citing the lack of progress on infrastructure improvements. “This is a state that has been in trouble for years,” she said. “People in power have had the opportunity to make changes to the grid, to all of these things we’re seeing, and nothing’s been done.” Her comments echoed sentiments from co-host Sunny Hostin, who criticized Kerr County’s decision to prioritize other expenditures, such as border security, over flood warning systems.

Goldberg’s remarks were notable for their restraint compared to her usual critiques of the Trump administration. She explicitly avoided blaming President Trump directly, a departure from her co-host Joy Behar’s attempt to link the floods to federal budget cuts. However, her call for accountability and her implication that the White House could do more to support Texas drew immediate attention, setting the stage for a fierce rebuttal from the administration.

Karoline Leavitt’s Fiery Response

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to hold the role at age 27, wasted no time in responding to Goldberg’s comments. During a press briefing on July 9, 2025, Leavitt delivered a blistering defense of the administration’s actions, accusing Goldberg and The View of spreading misinformation and exploiting a tragedy for political gain. “It’s shameful that Whoopi Goldberg would use her platform to point fingers at this administration while families in Texas are grieving,” Leavitt said. “This White House has mobilized unprecedented resources to support Texas, and we will not let baseless attacks distract from the recovery efforts.”

Leavitt detailed the administration’s response, highlighting the deployment of FEMA resources, National Guard units, and emergency funding to aid affected communities. She also refuted claims that federal budget cuts had impaired the National Weather Service, citing data showing that the agency’s forecasting capabilities remained intact. “The facts don’t lie,” Leavitt asserted. “The National Weather Service issued timely warnings, and local authorities had the information they needed. To suggest otherwise is not just wrong—it’s dangerous.”

In a pointed jab at Goldberg, Leavitt added, “Perhaps Ms. Goldberg should do her homework before making accusations on live television. This administration is focused on results, not rhetoric.” The press secretary’s remarks were met with applause from conservative commentators, who praised her for standing up to what they called “liberal media bias.” However, they also fueled a backlash from Goldberg’s supporters, who argued that Leavitt’s response was disrespectful and dismissive of legitimate concerns.

The Fallout: A Polarized Debate

The exchange between Goldberg and Leavitt has deepened the divide between The View and the Trump administration, reigniting tensions that have simmered since Leavitt’s appointment in January 2025. Earlier in the year, Goldberg clashed with Leavitt over the press secretary’s dismissal of “wokeness” during a briefing, accusing her of misunderstanding the historical struggles of women and minorities. Leavitt, in turn, has criticized The View for what she calls “conspiracy-laden attacks” on the administration, a sentiment echoed in her December 2024 Fox News interview.

Social media platforms, particularly X, exploded with reactions to the latest feud. Supporters of Goldberg praised her for holding the administration accountable, with one user posting, “Whoopi is right—Texas has been ignored for too long, and the White House needs to step up.” Others defended Leavitt, arguing that she was unfairly targeted by a biased media. “Karoline Leavitt is doing her job, and The View is just stirring the pot,” wrote another user. The controversy also sparked memes and viral videos, some falsely claiming that Goldberg had walked off the The View set or that Leavitt was suing the show for $800 million—rumors debunked by fact-checking outlets like Snopes and Lead Stories.

Mainstream media outlets have also weighed in. Liberal-leaning publications, such as HuffPost, lauded Goldberg’s critique as a necessary call for action, while conservative outlets, like Fox News, accused her of politicizing a tragedy. The Daily Wire, which reported on Goldberg’s reluctance to blame Trump directly, framed the story as evidence of her struggling to reconcile her biases with the facts. Meanwhile, neutral observers, including some on MSNBC, noted that both sides were using the floods to advance their agendas, further polarizing the public.

Broader Implications: Disaster Response and Media Responsibility

The Goldberg-Leavitt clash underscores broader issues about how natural disasters are addressed in a politically charged environment. Texas, a state prone to flooding, has faced recurring criticism for its infrastructure shortcomings, from an unreliable power grid to inadequate flood mitigation systems. While Kerr County’s decision not to install flood sirens has drawn scrutiny, the federal government’s role in coordinating disaster response remains a point of contention. The Trump administration’s emphasis on deregulation and efficiency, exemplified by DOGE, has been both praised for cutting bureaucracy and criticized for undermining public safety.

The role of media in covering such crises is equally complex. The View, with its massive audience, wields significant influence, but its blend of entertainment and political commentary often invites accusations of sensationalism. Goldberg’s comments, while measured compared to her usual rhetoric, were seen by some as an attempt to score points against the administration. Leavitt’s response, delivered with her characteristic intensity, reinforced her reputation as a fierce defender of Trump’s policies but risked alienating viewers who saw her as dismissive of legitimate concerns.

Conclusion: A Call for Unity Amid Crisis

As Texas continues to recover from the floods, the debate between Goldberg and Leavitt serves as a reminder of the challenges in addressing natural disasters in a divided nation. Both women, in their own way, sought to highlight the urgency of the crisis—Goldberg by calling for systemic change, Leavitt by defending her administration’s actions. Yet their public sparring risks overshadowing the human toll of the tragedy and the need for collaborative solutions.

Senator Ted Cruz’s plea to avoid politicizing the floods resonates now more than ever. “The flood doesn’t care who you voted for,” Goldberg herself noted during the The View segment, a sentiment that could guide future discussions. As the nation mourns the lives lost and supports Texas’s recovery, the focus must shift from blame to action—improving infrastructure, enhancing early warning systems, and ensuring that federal and state governments work together effectively.

For now, the Goldberg-Leavitt feud remains a flashpoint in an ongoing culture war, with no resolution in sight. But if both sides can channel their passion into meaningful change, there may yet be hope for a more resilient future.