While enjoying Charlotte Russe on The View, Whoopi Goldberg recently insinuated that the bakery that made it had refused to serve her because of her political views. While Goldberg didn’t identify the bakery by name, it was easy for viewers to identify it by the distinct packaging.
Bakery responds to Whoopi Goldberg’s accusation that it refused her service over political views
While celebrating her 69th birthday on The View, Whoopi Goldberg suggested that the bakery that made the Charlotte Russe desserts the cast was enjoying had refused her service due to her left-leaning political views.
Goldberg stated:
“My birthday dessert today was one of my mom’s favorites from when she was a kid. She talked about these all the time. They’re called Charlotte Russe. It’s a sponge cake with whipped cream and a cherry on top. I should tell you, Charlotte Russe has no political leanings. The place that made these refused to make them for me.
They said that their ovens had gone down, but folks went and got them anyway, which is why I’m not telling you who made them. It’s not because I’m a woman, but perhaps they did not like my politics. But that’s okay because you know what? Listen, this is my mother’s celebration. Pick these up and celebrate with me and my mom. Thank you, everyone, for celebrating my birthday today.”
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Jill Holtermann, owner of Holtermann’s Bakery, reiterated that a boiler issue prevented them from committing to Goldberg’s order, not The View host’s political views. She explained that Goldberg had attempted to place an order for Charlotte Russe deserts for a November 6 appearance on a talk show and for the November 13 edition of The View. Holtermann declined both orders because she didn’t want to make a commitment she wasn’t sure she could fulfill.
Holtermann said that an unidentified woman picked up 50 Charlotte Russe desserts from the bakery at 7:30 a.m. EST on November 13 but wasn’t aware if she had any affiliation with The View.
According to Fox News, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella came to the bakery’s defense in a press conference:
“It’s been here 145 years. They had a boiler that was 60 or 70 years old. And the first week in November, guess what? It went on the fritz. They had it replaced. And the reputation of Holtermann’s is impeccable, so rather than commit to something they couldn’t guarantee, they said, ‘We can’t do it.’ And the person who besmirched, defamed them, took that as an insult to her. Well, get over it. This family will be here for, God willing, another 145 years.”
Holtermann thanked the public for supporting the bakery and allowing her to address Goldberg’s accusations.
