Whoopi Defends Controversial Obama Watermelon Cartoon: ‘I Use This Toothpaste’

‘I don’t believe he did it on purpose because I don’t think he was thinking about it’

Whoopi Defends Controversial Obama Watermelon Cartoon: ‘I Use This Toothpaste’ (Mediaite)

ABC’s The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg sees nothing wrong with the controversial Boston Heraldcartoon depicting a White House intruder who asks President Barack Obama if he’s “tried the new watermelon-flavored toothpaste.”

During the show Thursday, Goldberg said she doesn’t believe it was the cartoonist’s intent to include a racial or stereotypical element in the graphic.

“Here’s what I will tell you,” she said. “I use this toothpaste and there is a watermelon toothpaste.” (There is, in fact, a Colgate brand watermelon-flavored toothpaste, but it’s marketed toward children.)

“Really?” replied co-host Rosie Perez. “It never occurred to him, come on. I just don’t buy this, I’m sorry.”

Goldberg explained that after the cartoon was printed, the artist said he mentioned watermelon toothpaste because it was what his own children used.

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