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