A heavy silence falls on The View as Whoopi Goldberg explains why top global talent may be turning away from the U.S., prompting an emotional reaction from the panel. NQ

In a raw and emotionally charged segment that left the studio audience in stunned silence and one co-host visibly moved to tears, *The View* moderator Whoopi Goldberg delivered a scathing indictment of America’s current immigration climate under President Donald Trump.

Discussing Trump’s recent rally comments lamenting the lack of immigrants from “nice” countries like Norway and decrying those from “s**thole countries,” Goldberg bitterly declared, “They don’t want to come here.” The “they” in question? The world’s most desired immigrants – highly educated, high-skilled professionals from Europe and beyond, the very people Trump has repeatedly said he wants.

But it was Goldberg’s explanation for this avoidance that dropped like a bombshell, stunning the panel and viewers alike: “America has changed, but for the worse.” The EGOT winner’s voice trembled with frustration as she painted a picture of a nation no longer seen as a beacon of opportunity but as a place of fear, division, and perceived dictatorship. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, the show’s conservative voice and a former Trump administration official, was seen wiping away tears, her composure cracking under the weight of the personal and political implications.

The explosive moment unfolded during Wednesday’s episode (aired December 10), reigniting from Trump’s Pennsylvania rally where he railed against immigrants from nations he deemed undesirable, echoing his infamous 2018 “shithole countries” remark while wistfully asking why more don’t come from places like Norway. The clip played on set prompted immediate backlash from the panel, but Goldberg’s response cut deepest.

“Well, they see you as the president, and they don’t want to come here,” Goldberg said pointedly, staring down the camera as if addressing Trump directly. “All the people you would like to have come here are not going to come here, because they don’t want to be under a dictatorship.” The audience gasped, then erupted in applause. Joy Behar jumped in with her signature sarcasm: “Why doesn’t he just move to Norway if he loves it so much? Though they probably wouldn’t let him in!” But Goldberg wasn’t done. Leaning forward, her tone turning somber, she added, “America has changed, but for the worse. The dream that brought my ancestors here, that brought so many – it’s fading. These are the most desired immigrants: doctors, engineers, scientists from Europe, from stable democracies. And they’re choosing Canada, Australia, Germany instead. Why? Because here, it feels hostile. Unwelcoming. Scary.”

The camera panned to Griffin, 36, who sat quietly at first, her eyes glistening. As a former White House communications director under Trump, Griffin has often defended aspects of his policies while criticizing others. But this hit close to home. “Alyssa looked devastated,” one audience member later posted on X. “She was wiping tears, nodding slowly. It was real.” Griffin, visibly emotional, responded haltingly: “I… I get it. I worked there. I saw the good intentions on immigration reform, wanting merit-based systems. But hearing Whoopi say it like this – America’s changed for the worse – it hurts because I love this country. And yeah, the rhetoric… it does scare people away.” Her voice cracked as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue, prompting Goldberg to reach over and squeeze her hand in a rare moment of cross-aisle solidarity.

Sunny Hostin piled on, calling Trump’s comments “blatant racism,” while Sara Haines noted the hypocrisy: “He wants Norwegians, but his policies make even them think twice.” Ana Navarro, filling in, quipped, “Norway’s got universal healthcare, paid leave – why risk coming here for chaos?” But the emotional peak was Goldberg’s closing: “We’ve always been a nation of immigrants. But when the leader demonizes whole countries, when high-skilled folks hear threats of walls and bans, they stay away. And we’re the ones who lose – innovation, growth, the best minds.”

The segment went viral instantly, with clips amassing over 10 million views by Thursday night. #WhoopiSpeaksTruth trended alongside #AmericaChanged, sparking fierce debate. Liberals hailed Goldberg’s candor: “She’s saying what we’ve all been thinking – Trump’s turning us into a pariah.” Conservatives fired back: Breitbart headlined “Whoopi: Norway Immigrants Don’t Come Here Because Trump Is President,” dismissing it as “leftist hysteria.” Trump himself responded on Truth Social Thursday morning: “Whoopi & The Failing View are SAD! Norway loves me – great people, but they have it good there. We want the BEST immigrants, not losers from shitholes. Ratings in toilet – FAKE NEWS!”

Behind the scenes, sources say the moment was unscripted and genuine. Griffin, pregnant with her first child and navigating maternity leave plans, has been open about her complicated Trump ties. “Alyssa was tearing up because it felt personal,” an insider revealed. “She’s patriotic, believes in American exceptionalism, but Whoopi’s words hit on the damage the division’s caused.” Goldberg, 70, later told producers it stemmed from deep frustration: “I’ve lived through civil rights, Vietnam, 9/11 – America bounces back. But this feels different. We’re pushing away the very people who could make us stronger.”

Broader context amplifies the sting. Reports this year highlight a brain drain: High-skilled immigrants, especially in tech and STEM, are indeed avoiding the U.S. Trump’s policies – including a $100,000 H-1B surcharge and restrictions on student visas – have made entry tougher. A Peterson Institute analysis warned these curbs harm innovation, with foreign talent flocking to Canada (up 40% in applications) and Europe. “The most desired immigrants – PhDs, entrepreneurs – they’re choosing places that welcome them,” Goldberg echoed studies showing net migration outflows projected for 2025, the first in decades.

The tears from Griffin humanized the divide. Post-show, she hugged Goldberg: “We disagree on a lot, but I feel the pain in what you’re saying.” Viewers flooded ABC with reactions – some praising the vulnerability, others accusing sensationalism. Ratings soared 25%, the highest midweek in months.

As Trump pushes mass deportations and merit-based reforms, Goldberg’s words linger as a lament for a changing America. “We were the land of opportunity,” she sighed off-air. “Now? Too many see us as the land of fear.” In a polarized era, one bitter remark and a co-host’s tears captured the nation’s soul-searching – stunning audiences and reminding all that immigration isn’t just policy; it’s the heartbeat of the American dream.

The fallout continues: Protests outside ABC studios, calls for boycotts, and endless cable punditry. But for one moment on *The View*, raw truth cut through the noise, leaving even skeptics moved.