Whoopi Goldberg has faced criticism for standing up for her “friend” Tiger Woods after his DUI arrest.
The 50-year-old golfing icon found himself in handcuffs on March 27 in the affluent area of Jupiter Island, Florida. Woods had flipped his SUV onto its side while attempting a high-speed pass around a truck and trailer.
During a discussion on The View, Goldberg, 70, addressed the incident alongside Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and guest panelist Whitney Cummings.
At the outset, the Sister Act actress acknowledged her friendship with the celebrated athlete.
“You know, Tiger is a friend of mine, and I wish him nothing but the best,” Goldberg remarked.
“I don’t like kicking a man when he’s down,” she added.
But it did not deter Behar, 83, from voicing her opinion, as she quipped: ‘He’s very rich. Just get a driver.’
She then joked: ‘Just not Justin Timberlake.’
Whoopi Goldberg has been slammed for leaping to the defense of ‘friend’ Tiger Woods following his DUI arrest – but Joy Behar did not hold back
Woods was arrested after a rollover crash and will face a charge of driving under the influence
Behar’s Timberlake reference, which prompted laughter from the studio, comes after the singer, 45, was arrested in June 2024 for driving while ability impaired (DWAI) in Sag Harbor, New York.
Just last month, police footage from the scene showed the superstar stumble through sobriety tests and complain about being treated like a ‘criminal.’
Hostin added: ‘But I do want to say… he did tell investigators that he took prescription medication and informed them that he has had seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg and that he is living with severe chronic pain.’
Behar doubled down: ‘That’s terrible but why can’t he get a driver?’
And it prompted Goldberg to leap to the golfer’s defense once again. ‘I’ll tell you why,’ she said.
‘It’s nice to have a driver but also you don’t want to be that guy that everyone says, “well, why is he always being driven around?” You can’t win. You can’t win.’
‘Elitist,’ comedian Cummings, 43, quipped.
Goldberg agreed and added that Woods is ‘getting what he needs.’
But viewers were left furious at Goldberg’s interjections and flooded to X (formerly Twitter) to say so.
Singer Justin Timberlake was arrested in June 2024 for driving while ability impaired
‘Whoopi, stop making excuses for grown a** men! “Because I know him” means nothing! Tiger has problems, just like Timberlake and Britney Spears!
‘I don’t care about their personal problems. There’s no excuses for them driving a vehicle impaired or recklessly!’ one wrote.
‘Nope Whoopi. He can afford a driver. No excuses. Don’t be a hypocrite. Joy Behar is absolutely correct about Tiger,’ another added.
‘If Tiger plowed into YOUR families while driving under the influence, Sunny and Whoopi, would you still defend him? BULLS**T! He’s embarrassed to get a driver? Too freaking bad! I have zero tolerance for anyone who puts the rest of us at risk, by driving impaired,’ one added, roping Hostin into their criticism.
‘Sunny and Whoopi really disappointed me today there is no excuse – NO excuse – for Tiger Woods or anyone else especially of his status to be driving drunk. Either seek help or find a driver,’ someone else shared.
Woods broke his silence over his arrest on March 31, where he announced that he is taking time away to seek help.
‘I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,’ he wrote in a statement.
‘I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.
‘I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally.
‘I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.’
Woods faces charges of DUI with property damage and refusal to submit a lawful test. He is due in court next month.
His arrest came just over a week before The Masters amid rising speculation that Woods could make an appearance at Augusta National.
This was not Woods’s first issue behind the wheel. He was arrested for another DUI in 2017 after police found him slumped in his car in Florida with five drugs in his system, including two painkillers.
Tests found the active ingredient for marijuana, two painkillers – Vicodin and Dilaudid – the sleep drug Ambien and the anti-anxiety drug Xanax.
