A tense exchange unfolded on Fox News’ Outnumbered after Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View, voiced her strong disapproval of Donald Trump’s controversial $5,000 “baby bonus” incentive, intended to boost the nation’s declining birth rate. The proposal, which also includes expanded access to IVF and other incentives, has drawn significant criticism from public figures, but Goldberg’s reaction triggered a particularly harsh jab from Fox News host Julie Banderas.

The exchange began during a segment on The View on April 2025, when Goldberg, clearly frustrated by the plan, expressed her disdain for what she saw as a shallow and misguided approach to addressing America’s declining birth rates. “I am incredibly insulted by this because clearly they don’t know how women’s bodies work,” Goldberg stated, criticizing the proposal’s failure to understand the complexities of child-rearing and the financial realities of raising children. She mocked the offer, pointing out that the proposed $5,000 incentive would only net women around $2,500 after taxes, further emphasizing her disbelief with a sarcastic clap.

Goldberg’s comments caught the attention of the Outnumbered panel, where Banderas quickly launched into a cruel response. “Isn’t she lovely?” Banderas quipped, following up with a jarring remark, “Such a shame she’s not a mother. I feel like she would have been the best role model.” But the comment quickly turned more personal and insensitive. “Thank God she did not do IVF,” Banderas said, continuing with, “because I don’t think she’d find somebody to actually physically impregnate her, is what I’m trying to get at there.”

The remark, widely considered uncalled for, immediately sparked backlash on social media. Viewers expressed their shock at Banderas’ callousness, and many pointed out that Goldberg, who has a daughter, Alex Martin, 51, with her ex-husband Alvin Martin, was a mother herself. Despite Banderas’ comments, Goldberg has been open about her personal experiences with parenthood, and the remark seemed to serve only to inflame tensions between the two hosts.

A War of Words

The controversy escalated further when fellow Outnumbered co-host Kayleigh McEnany sarcastically remarked after Banderas’ comment, “I mean Julie, isn’t she such a lovely person?” highlighting the cruel nature of the exchange. The tense atmosphere underscored the growing divide in public discussions surrounding the controversial $5,000 baby bonus, with Goldberg standing firm in her critique.

Goldberg’s fiery comments during the The View episode included an impassioned defense of women’s rights to make their own decisions about childbearing. “And $5,000!? I don’t know what $5,000 is supposed to do. And it’s not even $5,000 because you have to cut it in half because you gotta pay taxes on it,” she said sarcastically. “So they’re offering you $2,500! To have a baby! Now, don’t forget about all the stuff they’ve cut.”

Trump’s proposal, intended to reverse the country’s low birth rate, has been one of the most talked-about aspects of his 2024 campaign. Alongside the $5,000 baby bonus, the proposal also advocates for government programs to educate women about their menstrual cycles and to offer more scholarships for married individuals or parents. Trump, who previously referred to himself as the “father of fertilization” during his 2024 campaign, signed an executive order in February 2024 to increase access to IVF.

Goldberg’s Response: A Call for Thoughtful Policies

Goldberg’s remarks were a critique of what she perceived as a simplistic solution to a complex issue. She believes that the government needs to take a more comprehensive approach to address the factors that affect women’s decisions to have children, such as access to healthcare, child care, and fair wages. By focusing only on financial incentives without addressing these deeper issues, Goldberg argued, the proposal fails to truly understand the needs of American families.

“I’m not against incentives,” Goldberg clarified in her comments on The View. “But let’s be realistic here. A $5,000 bonus isn’t going to change the fact that raising a child is expensive, or that women need better support to balance work and family life.”

Goldberg has daughter Alex Martin, 51, a filmmaker and actress, with her ex-husband Alvin Martin; pictured July 2024

The brutal remark arose on Wednesday’s episode of Outnumbered, after the show played snippets of Goldberg’s criticism over the proposed plan

Goldberg with her daughter at this year’s Academy Awards

Banderas’ Controversial Remark: A Personal Attack

Julie Banderas’ comment, particularly the insinuation that Goldberg would struggle to find a partner to conceive, crossed a line for many viewers. The fact that Goldberg is a mother herself, and has spoken publicly about her experiences as a parent, made Banderas’ remark seem not only mean-spirited but also dismissive of Goldberg’s personal life.

This was not the first time Goldberg has been the subject of sharp criticisms on The View, but Banderas’ comment marked one of the most personal and cruel attacks made against the co-host. In the past, Goldberg has faced similar criticisms over her outspoken political views, but this moment seemed to take things to a new, more personal level.

As of now, Fox News has not issued an official statement regarding Banderas’ comments, but the incident has certainly fueled a debate about the tone of discourse in the public sphere, especially when it comes to discussions involving women’s rights and personal lives.

Social Media Reaction: Fans Weigh In

The response on social media was swift and overwhelmingly supportive of Goldberg, with many fans defending her right to voice her opinions on the baby bonus proposal. “Whoopi Goldberg is a national treasure,” one Twitter user wrote. “She’s been a voice for women for decades, and for Julie Banderas to make that comment is disgusting.”

Others noted that the attack on Goldberg was a reflection of the political climate, where sharp divisions over issues like reproductive rights and family policies are often played out in public forums. The cruel jab from Banderas only added fuel to an already heated conversation about how the government addresses women’s issues.

Conclusion: A Divided Discourse

What started as a critique of Donald Trump’s proposed baby bonus turned into an unexpected and deeply personal public confrontation. Goldberg’s remarks on The View about the $5,000 baby bonus were meant to highlight a real concern for American families, but they were met with a harsh personal jab from Banderas that left many fans disappointed in the lack of respect for Goldberg’s personal experiences.

This incident serves as a reminder of how contentious the debate over women’s rights and family policies has become in the public sphere, where even the most well-intentioned criticisms can quickly spiral into personal attacks. Whether or not Goldberg’s critique of Trump’s proposal is fair, the attack from Banderas was a clear misstep in a conversation that should be about finding solutions, not tearing each other down.