White House Crasher Accuses Whoopi of Hitting Her on The View
Credit: Ben Hider/Getty Images; Adam Olszweski/Bravo
Things get physical on The View Thursday.
Michaele Salahi -- who rose to fame for crashing a White House dinner last fall -- accuses Whoopi Goldberg of hitting her during her appearance on the ABC chat fest.
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"During pointed questioning about an unrelated incident where Mrs. Salahi had been called 'anorexic'... Whoopi Goldberg came from backstage behind Mrs. Salahi, shook her arm, and told her to move on and talk about the White House," says her lawyer, Lisa Bloom, in a statement to UsMagazine.com. "This was startling to Mrs. Salahi, as she was being interviewed by Joy Behar and Sherri Shepherd, and Whoopi Goldberg was not part of the segment."
But Goldberg -- in a statement released by ABC -- says that's not how it went down.
"At one point during Michaele Salahi's appearance on The View on Wednesday, Whoopi lightly touched Ms. Salahi to get her attention and said to her 'Excuse me, can you get back to the White House, please,' meaning could Ms. Salahi return to the original subject of the conversation. After the show, Ms. Salahi and her husband accused Whoopi of hitting Ms. Salahi. As the broadcast clearly shows, the accusation was completely unfounded and erroneous. After the show and after being told she was being accused of hitting Ms. Salahi, Whoopi proceeded to defend herself verbally from this baseless claim in a heated exchange with the Salahis."
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Salahi -- who will appear on Bravo's The Real Housewives of DC, which premieres Thursday -- also claims that the audience was encouraged to clap when Shepherd said, "You should be in jail!"
"The U.S. Attorney, after a laborious eight-month review of the evidence, has not seen fit to charge her with a crime to date. But Sherri Shepherd, who apparently has not reviewed any of the evidence, sees fit to tell a guest on her show that she should be in jail. This is outrageous and defamatory," says Bloom.
Bloom says Salahi dissolved into tears backstage following her appearance. After telling a producer she was upset that Goldberg grabbed her arm, the producer arranged a meeting with Goldberg "who then yelled a long series of profanities at Mrs. Salahi... Ms. Goldberg continued to verbally berate Mrs. Salahi, refused to apologize for her language or her on set behavior, and left the room," according to the lawyer.
"Mrs. Salahi's overall experience on The View was degrading and demeaning," says Bloom.
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133Sorry, me again. I meant to write NO legal liability
I have a few comments about the statements made below. I totally agree with everything R.Will and LisaB stated. To Clara, what a absurd comment to make. Obviously you are extremely racist. vagrandma writes that Sherri's comment put The View in legal jeopardy but it was Sherri's opinion and she is allowed to state it. So in my opinion there is legal liability. Whatever happened to free speech? Now for my personal opinion about this article, since when does lighting shaking an arm or touching it amount to hitting? I consider hitting a slap or punch not putting your hand on someone's arm. How ridiculous is this? This Salahi woman is just seeking publicity and a possible settlement if any lawsuit should occur. If I were Whoopi I would fight this to the bitter end as I expect her to do if these allegations continue. She also has denied ever defending Mel Gibson. But I must admit I never saw or read the comment allegedly made by Goldberg. And I would also cuss this idiot out after making such absurd accusations. I have always believed that Whoopi is totally being herself on the show and it was quite clear she was not happy with having this woman as a guest. Nor would I be if I were in her shoes. She also has every right to express her opinion in any way she deems fit. Finally, I am extremely disappointed in Lisa Bloom which by the way is Gloria Alred's daughter. She used to be a stand up lawyer who was a commentator on CourtTv but apparently she has gone to the dark side. Not only is she representing this law breaking woman but also representing Jon Gosselin as well. So I would suppose she is trying to emulate her mother and take on "celebrities" as clients. She also seems to be seeking publicity as well. I am extremely disappointed in Bloom's veering to this type of lawyer. Finally, on a lighter note, who cares if this ridiculous woman is anorexic. Really don't we have better things to discuss than the Salahi's as a whole?
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As much as I despise this publicity seeking couple, I agree with Lisa Bloom. Sherri had no right to say that, and I'm sure Barbara will address it when she returns in the fall. I don't watch reality shows; they are fake and a waste of time. Whoopi, I support fully; I love her. In my opinion, Sherri really, really, put The View in legal jeopardy. I agree the woman committed a crime, but for a tv host to say that is not right.But then, Sherri and her big, senseless mouth, says a lot that shouldn't be said in public.
WHOOPIE IS NO PRIZE. BUT THAT ANOREXIC LYING C 'NT MICHAELE NEEDS A REAL A 'S KICKIN.
Maybe both of them needs a sock in the nostrils...Whoopi for defending Mel's violence & Salahi for crashing the Pres. function.
The Salahis are ignorant publisity seekers and I won't give them any credit. As for the Housewives of D.C., all of those shows can black-out as far as I'm concerned. The Networks wouldn't air such crap if people didn't watch. Give me fictional drama any time over fake "Reality"!
I saw the segment. I side with Shepherd and Whoopi. She should be in jail. She is a fame crazed ego maniac. AND anorexic! I feel sorry for the other housewives having to deal with this nut job
Salahi you are just TV and Media crazy. I really hope your fifteen minutes of fame is over. I hope Whoopi sues you for defamation. Lisa B, I second imprisonment.
the thing is its all for publicity for the DC Housewives---which is silly white women who hang out with Mandingos!!!! Whoopi actually gets a salary for being low rent!!!!!
Would someone please tell WHY???...these poeple aren't in jail. If you or I crashed the white house, believe me we would be in jail right now. It is disgusting that people who are trying to be famous continue to get special treatment and even the so-so famous people get a "get out of jail" pass like the actors who continue to drive drunk who barely serve hours in hours. Again, if you or I got a DUI we would be in jail right now. Enough said!
Jlo you are absolutely right about M. Salahi woman. She is crazy to accused Whoppi of anything. Whoppi was right to cuss her out.
I really like Whoopi Goldberg and if she says she didn't hit her then she didn't hit her. I do believe Whoopi cussed her out and she deserved it.
Go Whoopi go!!! Why was Salahi being interviewed?? Her and her fame hungry hubby are annoying and shouldnt even be given the time of day!
It was rude of Whoopi to crash the interview and very rude of Shepherd to tell a guest they invited that she belong in jail, even if she does. What did the View have Salahi on the show for anyway but for the publicity....They probably planned the whole scene for ratings. Bitter big mouth Joy, Sheri and Whoopi are all too nasty to even watch the show anymore.
This salami trash is a fame ho.
Michaele Salahi is Racist plain and simple. She only reacted that way because a black person touched her!
SHE SHOULD BE IN JAIL!!! Her and her trash husband.
I am ashamed of Lisa Bloom. Is she such a bad attorney that SHE now has become a media who**?? She is better than that. I have written to BRAVO and said that I WOULD NOT WATCH this show if this idiot was on it. Even the other women on the show are embarrassed by this idiot. She and her husband need to get jobs and get out of the spotlight. I am not interested in spending a second of my day watching a nobody on tv.
The fame-whoring Salahi's just want to be in the spotlight, they are disgusting. I wish Whoopi had slapped her silly...