Holtermann’s Bakery in Staten Island is facing an unexpected surge in sales following claims by Whoopi Goldberg on The View that the bakery refused to fill her order due to her political views. The bakery’s owner, Jill Holtermann, has denied the allegations, explaining that the refusal was actually due to an issue with their ovens, not any political bias.
Goldberg discussed the situation during a segment on the popular daytime talk show, stating that while the bakery initially claimed its ovens were down, she later managed to obtain the Charlotte Russe desserts when someone else picked them up for her. Goldberg suggested that the refusal was related to her politics, though she did not name the bakery at the time. Viewers quickly identified Holtermann’s Bakery as the source of the desserts.
In response, Holtermann clarified that the bakery was unable to fulfill the order initially due to technical difficulties, but once the equipment was functioning again, the order was completed without issue. “We didn’t know what was going on until somebody called us from Ohio,” Holtermann explained, noting that none of her staff were aware of Goldberg’s political views.
Since the controversy, Holtermann’s Bakery has been flooded with orders, with many customers eager to show their support for the longstanding family business. The bakery’s social media accounts have been filled with messages of gratitude from customers who have purchased out the shop’s inventory.
Local politicians, including Borough President Vito Fossella and Assembly Member Mike Tannousis (R), have publicly defended the bakery, condemning Goldberg’s accusations. Fossella called the claims defamatory and emphasized the hardworking nature of the Holtermann family, while Tannousis linked the controversy to broader political tensions in the country.
Goldberg has responded to the growing backlash, doubling down on her claim that it seemed “a little odd” that the bakery initially refused her order but later fulfilled it when someone else made the request. Legal experts have suggested that Goldberg’s public comments may leave her vulnerable to a defamation lawsuit.
