Whoopi Goldberg was clearly not amused when the co-hosts of The View discussed how Jen Shah confirmed that her former prison mate Ghislaine Maxwell was receiving special treatment while incarcerated at the Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas.
Maxwell, who began serving a 20-year sentence in 2022 for helping recruit girls for Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse, has been the subject of intense public scrutiny. Her time in prison has also sparked controversy, with some claiming she received preferential treatment.
Whitney Cummings’ Remark Sparks Gasps From the Audience
During the show, Sara Haines commented on Maxwell’s situation, saying, “She needs to stay in prison because no one trusts what she says anyway, and she’s willing to say or do anything to try to save her own butt.”
In response, guest co-host Whitney Cummings added, “And she’s probably trying to not hang herself.” The audience reacted with audible gasps and groans to her comment, which she made with air quotes. She was referring to doubts over whether Epstein really hung himself in prison in 2019.
“Stay with me,” Cummings said as she heard the reaction.
Cummings continued by discussing Shah’s comments about Maxwell, saying, “Shah is saying, ‘Oh, Ghislaine didn’t talk to us, she ignored us.’ I feel like Ghislaine’s not a big Real Housewives fan,” referencing Shah’s previous appearance on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. “In her defense, she doesn’t have a lot of experience talking to women over 21. She wouldn’t know what to do herself.”
Sunny Hostin raised her eyebrows slightly at the remark, while Joy Behar pointed out the ages of some of the victims, saying, “21? 13.”
‘Let’s Stop Talking About Her’
The Ridiculous 6 actress admitted she’d like to see Maxwell pick up “trash on the freeway” when Goldberg interjected to stop her from making more jokes.
“I have a better idea: let’s stop talking about her,” the EGOT winner declared. “And remember there are women out there who have not had any justice.”
The show then cut to a commercial break.
As reported by OK!, allegations about Maxwell receiving special treatment emerged last year after she met with current interim Attorney General Todd Blanche and was further questioned about any additional information she had about Epstein.
In a newly released interview with People, Shah claimed Maxwell was “afforded things [in prison] that nobody else was afforded, like private workout sessions, special meals, bottled water.”
“Everybody witnessed it, and I know that firsthand because I worked in [recreation] so I would have to clean things up,” she said. “I was also asked for certain equipment because she was going to go work out late at night.”
The reality star called the situation “concerning.”
