Beloved New York Bakery Denies Whoopi Goldberg’s Political Bias Claims Amid Cupcake Controversy
A cherished 145-year-old New York bakery has found itself at the center of a heated debate after refuting allegations made by Whoopi Goldberg. The iconic actress and co-host of The View claimed on a recent episode of the daytime talk show that her cupcake order for her birthday celebration was rejected due to her political views—a charge the bakery firmly denies.
Goldberg, who celebrated her 69th birthday earlier this month, told viewers during Wednesday’s episode, “The place that made these refused to make them for me. They said their ovens had gone down, all kinds of stuff. But folks went and got them anyway, which is why I’m not telling you who made them.” She added, “This is my mother’s celebration. Pick these up and celebrate with me and my mom. Thank you, everyone, for celebrating my birthday today.”
Bakery Owner Fires Back: “It’s Not About Politics”
The bakery in question, known for its artisanal confections and deep roots in the Staten Island community, was quick to respond to Goldberg’s allegations. Jill Holtermann, the establishment’s owner, dismissed the claim as baseless, explaining that technical issues—not political differences—were to blame for the bakery’s inability to fulfill Goldberg’s request.
“They’d asked us, but we were having trouble with our boilers,” Holtermann told Entertainment Weekly. She clarified that Goldberg’s orders for November 6 and November 13 were declined out of concern for reliability. “I didn’t want to make a commitment I couldn’t carry through. When she called me, I told her, ‘I can’t do it right now.’ The building is from 1930, and our equipment was unpredictable.”
Holtermann added emphatically, “It was not because of politics.”
Staten Island Leaders Rally Behind the Bakery
The controversy gained momentum on Friday during a press conference in Staten Island, where local officials voiced their support for the bakery. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella Jr. (R) praised the Holtermann family for their unwavering dedication to the community over generations.
“These people are up at 3 or 4 o’clock every morning. The sacrifices they’ve made, the holidays they’ve missed with their families, to make Staten Island better—they’ve been doing this for 145 years,” Fossella stated passionately. “Rutherford B. Hayes was president when this business started. They’re still here, still strong, and not going anywhere.”
Fossella went on to criticize the accusations made against the bakery, calling for an apology. “Frankly, the people who defamed the Holtermann family should apologize for making things up to suit their needs. A good business person doesn’t care about politics. If you’re watching this across the country, go online and order something.”
Community Support Overflows
During the press conference, Holtermann shared her gratitude for the outpouring of support from locals and beyond. “I’m overwhelmed by the kindness. Since this happened, we’ve had calls and visits from people all over, including Alabama. One man said, ‘I’ll give you $50—send it to a school, send them donuts or cupcakes.’”
Fighting back tears, Holtermann reflected on her family’s legacy. “I know how hard my family has worked to keep this business alive. I wish my father were here today to see this. He wouldn’t believe it.”
While the controversy may have brought unwanted attention, it also underscored the enduring bond between the bakery and its community—a relationship built on decades of trust, resilience, and sweet confections.