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Sara Haines shocked viewers yesterday when she got into a playful yet surprising slapping match with Whoopi Goldberg on The View. The two cohosts exchanged six physical jabs during an interview with actor Justin Theroux, leaving the guest visibly confused about what was happening on air.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The Moment: Sara Haines playfully hit Whoopi Goldberg on the arm during Thursday’s episode aired April 23, 2026
- Total Exchanges: The two women slapped each other 6 times in rapid succession
- Guest Reaction: Justin Theroux asked on air, “Why are we all hitting each other?” expressing genuine confusion
- Pattern: This marked the second playful slap exchange between the two in less than one month
The Unexpected on-Air Exchange
Haines initiated the surprising moment while Goldberg was discussing actor Meryl Streep with Theroux. The discussion turned to The Devil Wears Prada 2, during which Theroux called Streep an “icon” despite being “just like every other actor” in person. Goldberg then turned to Haines and playfully hit her arm, sparking an unexpected back-and-forth.
Haines returned the gesture immediately with a slap of her own. Goldberg exclaimed “Ow!” and hit back. The physical exchange continued four more times, with both women seemingly caught up in the moment.
Sara Haines gets into playful slapping match with Whoopi Goldberg on The View during interview
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Justin Theroux Questions the Situation
The moment grew so chaotic that Theroux, a guest during the segment promoting Netflix‘s “Running Point” season 2, looked directly at the women and asked the question everyone watching was thinking: “Why are we all hitting each other?” His confusion perfectly captured the absurdity unfolding live on television.
The camera then cut to a close-up of Goldberg, who didn’t laugh at the exchange. Instead, the EGOT-winning actress appeared visibly annoyed by Haines making repeated contact with her arm during the segment.
Pattern Recognition across The View Cast
| Incident | Date | Details |
| First Slap Exchange | March 25, 2026 | Goldberg hit Haines with cue cards after NSFW joke about Joy Behar |
| Second Slap Exchange | April 23, 2026 | Six back-and-forth slaps during Justin Theroux interview |
| Time Between Exchanges | 29 Days | Both incidents involved Haines and Goldberg only |
“In perhaps one of the most peculiar developments on the air in recent weeks, Whoopi Goldberg and Sara Haines slapped each other a collective total of six times during a live interview.”
— Entertainment Weekly, Published April 23, 2026
History of Playful Conflict
Less than one month ago, on March 25, 2026, Goldberg slapped Haines with her cue cards after Haines made a suggestive oral sex joke about cohost Joy Behar. Behar had joked about her distinctive voice, saying she sounded like she had “Jimmy Hoffa in the back of my throat.” When asked if she had, Haines made a comment that sparked the famous cue card slap from Goldberg.
This latest April incident shows a pattern of physical playfulness between the two cohosts. However, observers noted that Goldberg appeared less amused during Thursday’s exchange than during the March incident, where both women dissolved into laughter afterward.
What Does This Mean for The View’s Dynamic Going Forward?
Both incidents involving Sara Haines and Whoopi Goldberg raise questions about on-air behavior at The View. The show thrives on spontaneous energy and genuine chemistry between cohosts, but these physical exchanges are unconventional for daytime television. Goldberg, who has hosted the show since 2007, typically manages table dynamics with authority. Haines, who rejoined in 2020 after a previous stint from 2016-2018, continues to bring unpredictable moments to the beloved talk show.
