On a fiery episode of The View aired on July 22, 2025, co-host Whoopi Goldberg unleashed a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump, accusing him of attempting to dodge renewed scrutiny over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein through a series of distracting political maneuvers. Goldberg’s comments, delivered with her signature bluntness, centered on Trump’s handling of the so-called “Epstein files” and his controversial decision to release documents related to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, despite objections from the King family. The episode, which sparked widespread discussion online and in the media, highlighted a growing public demand for transparency regarding Epstein’s high-profile connections and raised questions about Trump’s motives in stirring unrelated controversies.

Goldberg didn’t mince words during the show’s “Hot Topics” segment, describing Trump’s recent actions as a “media blitz” designed to shift focus away from the Epstein files, which reportedly contain details about the disgraced financier’s child sex trafficking ring and its high-profile clients. “Now, a lot of people are thinking he’s trying to knock the Epstein files out of the headlines. But I don’t think people are ready to move on. I think they want the files,” Goldberg declared, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and defiance. She pointed to Trump’s lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over a story alleging his past ties to Epstein, as well as his posting of a fake AI-generated video depicting former President Barack Obama being arrested for treason, as evidence of a desperate attempt to change the narrative. “He’s off on vacation, but the Epstein files just came back to life!” she quipped, drawing murmurs of agreement from the audience.

The controversy surrounding the Epstein files has been reignited by newly uncovered archival footage and photos, reported by CNN on July 22, 2025, which confirmed Epstein’s presence at Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples and showed the two men socializing at a 1999 Victoria’s Secret event. These revelations, which predate Epstein’s legal troubles, have intensified public interest in the files, particularly among Trump’s own base, who expected explosive disclosures about Epstein’s network. However, the Justice Department’s decision not to release the long-promised documents has fueled outrage, with even some pro-Trump podcasters like Andrew Schulz and Shawn Ryan expressing frustration. Schulz called Trump’s dismissal of the issue “insulting our intelligence,” while Ryan warned that Trump risks “destroying his entire base” by sidestepping the matter.

Goldberg also took aim at Trump’s decision to release files related to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, a move that went against the wishes of the King family. “What’s the other one? Oh, yeah. He released the files on Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, even after the family said, ‘Please don’t do that,’” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Co-host Sunny Hostin echoed Goldberg’s sentiment, questioning, “And why release MLK Jr.’s files against the family’s wishes?” The move was widely seen as an attempt to deflect attention from the Epstein controversy, but it has only added fuel to the fire, with critics accusing Trump of exploiting a revered figure’s legacy for political gain. Goldberg underscored the public’s memory, stating, “People remember. And this time, it’s not going away.”

The View panel, including Joy Behar, Sara Haines, and Alyssa Farah Griffin, also weighed in, noting the unusual nature of the Epstein controversy. Unlike previous Trump-related scandals, this one has gained traction within his own base. Haines pointed out, “The difference between the Epstein files is the call is coming from within the house. This is his own base, the file, yes, it is absolutely coming from within the party.” Griffin, a former Trump administration official, agreed, adding that even Republicans are raising alarms about the files. She lightheartedly mentioned another of Trump’s alleged distractions—his demand that Coca-Cola use real sugar—as a failed attempt to shift focus. Behar, meanwhile, addressed conspiracy theories suggesting high-profile Democrats like former President Bill Clinton might be named in the files, to which Goldberg responded, “I’m fine with that. I’m not in a cult.”

The discussion also touched on Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s decision to adjourn Congress for a summer break, effectively stalling votes on measures to release the Epstein files. Goldberg called this move “not even subtle,” suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to bury the issue. “Everybody knows that’s what he’s doing… But the thing about it is, it’s not going anywhere. No, it’s not going away. So go on and have your vacation. When you come back, it’s going to be waiting for you,” she said, urging transparency with her now-viral line, “Yeah, just rip the band-aid off!”

Trump’s camp has pushed back against the renewed scrutiny. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed the CNN report as “nothing more than out-of-context frame grabs of innocuous videos and pictures of widely attended events to disgustingly infer something nefarious.” He emphasized that Trump had severed ties with Epstein in the mid-2000s after a real estate dispute and insisted that no law enforcement authorities have accused Trump of wrongdoing. However, Goldberg countered on air, pointing to the numerous photos of Trump and Epstein together, saying, “Here’s where his biggest mistake has been… ‘I don’t know him!’ And then you got 900 million zillion pictures together with Epstein. That’s why people are pissed.”

The Epstein saga has transcended political lines, becoming a cultural phenomenon, as noted in a July 24, 2025, Politico article. Comedians like Shane Gillis and shows like South Park have seized on the controversy, with Gillis joking at the ESPYs, “There was supposed to be an Epstein joke here, but I guess it got deleted.” The issue’s resonance with younger, non-political audiences, who powered Trump’s 2024 election win, underscores its staying power. As Goldberg put it, “You can run, but the past won’t!”

The drama shows no signs of fading, with public pressure mounting for the release of the Epstein files. Whether Trump’s distractions—deepfakes, MLK files, or demands about football team names—will succeed in diverting attention remains uncertain. For now, Goldberg’s fiery takedown has kept the spotlight firmly on the unresolved questions surrounding Trump’s ties to Epstein, ensuring that this story, as she predicted, is “not going away.”

Sources: CNN, Politico, The View (July 22, 2025 episode)