Whoopi Goldberg poses on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
(New York, New York) – Television host and actress Whoopi Goldberg is pushing back after her name surfaced in the recently released Epstein files, insisting she had no association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking on Tuesday’s episode of The View, Goldberg said, “In the name of transparency, my name is in the files. Yes!” before reading aloud a 2013 email in which her name was mentioned in connection with a potential flight to Monaco for a charity event.
According to the email shown on-air, a request was made for a plane for Goldberg to attend the event. Epstein responded, “No thanks,” declining the request. Goldberg emphasized that she never traveled with him and had no personal relationship. “I wasn’t his girlfriend, I wasn’t his friend. I was not only too old [for him],” she said, adding that she is being unfairly targeted online. “I’m getting dragged. People actually believe that I was with him.”
Co-host Joy Behar noted that many prominent figures have appeared in the files, while Sara Haines pointed out that famous names can show up through third-party emails, media articles or broad contact lists. “Wealthy, famous people often cross in professional and social circles,” Haines said.
Goldberg, who has previously spoken out about accountability surrounding Epstein’s crimes, reiterated that simply appearing in the files does not equate to wrongdoing. Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a child for prostitution, was later charged in 2019 with sex trafficking minors.
He died by suicide in jail that year while awaiting trial. His longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.
