The View co host Whoopi Goldberg is facing backlash after suggesting that President Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran may be an attempt to distract the public from the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

Critics say the claim is an even more outlandish conspiracy than recent theories pushed by commentators like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens.

During a discussion on The View about the escalating conflict with Iran and rising oil and gas prices, Goldberg floated the theory while discussing the nonstop news cycle surrounding the war.

“It’s nutty as hell,” Goldberg said. “Every day it’s something new.”

She then questioned why other stories were not dominating the news cycle.

“I was thinking about it yesterday because I thought, ‘Well OK, why haven’t we been talking about Savannah Guthrie and what’s going on there? Why haven’t we been talking about the Epstein files?’ Because that’s still there,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg suggested the developments overseas may be pulling public attention away from other issues.

“This is meant to get us so worked up that we are unable to see anything else,” she said.

Other co hosts appeared to agree with the sentiment. Sunny Hostin said the situation gave her a “wag the dog feeling,” referencing the theory that governments sometimes create foreign crises to distract from domestic controversies.

Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has reportedly been missing for more than a month, though details surrounding the case remain limited.

Goldberg’s comments quickly sparked criticism online, with many calling the suggestion that a major military conflict could be launched as a media distraction both irresponsible and deeply conspiratorial.

Born Caryn Johnson, Whoopi Goldberg has spoken publicly about her stage name and identity. “My mother did not name me Whoopi, but Goldberg is my name. It is part of my family, part of my heritage, just like being black,” she once said. Goldberg has also stated, “I just know I am Jewish. I practice nothing. I do not go to temple, but I do remember the holidays.” She has also said that when people question her Jewish identity she responds, “Would you ask me that if I was white? I bet not.” One account suggests that her mother, Emma Johnson, believed the family’s original surname of Johnson, was “not Jewish enough” for her daughter to become a star. Goldberg has also said that her family background includes Jewish, Buddhist, Baptist, and Catholic influences.