There’s a tired pattern that plays out on daytime television almost like clockwork. Whenever Washington announces something that benefits American service members—the men and women who volunteer to stand between our nation and those who wish it harm—certain corners of the entertainment industry rush to cast suspicion on the gesture. You’d think a Christmas bonus for troops would be one of those rare moments of bipartisan goodwill. You’d be wrong.

This week delivered yet another example of this cultural gulf in action. The hosts of ABC’s “The View” weighed in on President Trump’s announcement that nearly 1.5 million military service members would receive a special Christmas bonus. Rather than acknowledging that troops and their families might appreciate some extra cash during the holidays, the conversation veered straight into conspiracy territory. One host in particular offered a theory so detached from reality, you have to wonder if she’s ever actually spoken to someone who wears the uniform.

From Daily Wire:

Goldberg, during Thursday’s broadcast of ABC’s “The View,” first questioned whether or not troops would actually ever see that money — and then immediately insinuated that if they did see it, it would be solely because Trump was using it to buy their loyalty.

“What he’s doing is, he’s thinking, ‘If I make sure that the soldiers have what they need, they’ll back me in what I want, see?'” she said.

A Strange Way to Say ‘Thank You for Your Service’

Leave it to Whoopi Goldberg to transform a straightforward Christmas bonus into an elaborate bribery scheme. In her telling, the $1,776 “warrior dividend”—a one-time payment deliberately chosen to honor America’s founding year—isn’t a gesture of appreciation. Nope. It’s apparently a down payment on military loyalty. Because nothing says “I’ve been compromised” like a check that won’t even cover a month’s rent in most cities.

The accusation insults everyone who serves. American troops swear an oath to the Constitution, not to any individual president. They undergo rigorous training that emphasizes lawful orders and ethical conduct. Suggesting that a holiday bonus would somehow flip their moral compass? That tells you everything about how Goldberg views the military. Hint: it’s not flattering.

Here’s where it gets even more ridiculous. President Trump announced during his Wednesday evening address that the checks were already on their way. Funded through tariff revenue and the recently passed GOP spending bill. “Nobody deserves it more than our military,” Trump stated. “And I say congratulations to everybody.”

But Goldberg couldn’t even let that stand. First, she questioned whether troops would see the money at all. “I want to see them get it first,” she said. When that skepticism proved immediately baseless—payments were already processing—she pivoted seamlessly to the bribery angle. Classic goalpost relocation.

Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump administration official, initially tried giving credit where due. “This is the one thing I give him credit on,” she began. Goldberg promptly interrupted. Griffin eventually settled on calling the bonus a “handout” rather than “smart policy.” She argued all Americans need help, not just military members. So much for that brief moment of fairness.

A Medal of Honor Recipient Responds

Marine Dakota Meyer earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Afghanistan. When Fox News asked him about Goldberg’s commentary, he didn’t mince words.

“The great thing is that my daughters and this next generation will grow up and not even know who Whoopi Goldberg is,” Meyer said.

That’s the whole response. And honestly? It’s perfect. While Goldberg holds court on a morning talk show, speculating about the corruptibility of American service members, actual heroes like Meyer have bled for this country. The contrast couldn’t be more obvious—or more instructive about who actually understands military character.

The “warrior dividend” will reach more than 1,450,000 service members this Christmas. For military families living on modest salaries, often stationed thousands of miles from extended family, that $1,776 means something real. Maybe it covers plane tickets home for the holidays. Maybe it goes toward gifts for kids who spent another year with a parent deployed. Maybe it just signals that someone in Washington noticed their sacrifice.

The Real Message

Goldberg’s comments don’t reveal some hidden truth about presidential motives. They expose the massive gulf between certain media figures and the Americans they love to lecture. The idea that troops would abandon their constitutional oaths for a Christmas bonus isn’t just factually wrong. It’s deeply insulting to the very people who make possible the freedoms that keep “The View” on the air each morning.

Military families watching Thursday’s segment saw exactly what millions of Americans have long suspected. For some in the entertainment industry, no gesture of support for the troops will ever be genuine if it comes from the wrong political direction. The bonus isn’t a bribe. It’s a thank-you. The fact that some can’t recognize the difference tells you all you need to know about where their priorities actually lie.

Key Takeaways

• Whoopi Goldberg accused Trump of using military Christmas bonuses to “buy” troop loyalty.
• The $1,776 “warrior dividend” will reach over 1.45 million service members this holiday season.
• Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer dismissed Goldberg’s relevance entirely.
• The controversy reveals a deep disconnect between media elites and military families.

Sources: Daily Wire, Fox News