Whoopi Goldberg had an interesting take on the popular HBO show The White Lotus, calling it The Caucasian Lotus. While introducing a segment on The View, the EGOT-winning actress and host highlighted the show’s focus on ultra-rich individuals vacationing in exotic locations. However, it was a specific conversation in a recent episode that she found especially relevant to current American discourse.
A Conversation That Hits Close to Home
In episode three of The White Lotus season three, a trio of longtime friends—played by Leslie Bibb (Kate), Carrie Coon (Laurie), and Michelle Monaghan (Jaclyn)—reunite for a girls’ trip in Thailand. But things take a sharp turn when they discover that Kate had voted for Donald Trump in the presidential election. This revelation sparks a heated discussion that mirrors the real-life tensions many Americans face when political differences threaten personal relationships.
The discussion on The View revolved around the complexities of maintaining friendships despite opposing political views. Alyssa Farah Griffin shared a perspective that emphasized understanding the values and reasoning behind someone’s political choices. "If you know people to their core and know their values and why they decided [the way they did], you can respect them and co-exist with them supporting somebody you didn’t," she said. On the other hand, Joy Behar countered this by arguing that it’s about much more than just politics.
More Than Just a Vote
Behar emphasized that voting choices often reflect deeper moral and ethical beliefs. "It’s not just about politics," she explained. "It’s about morality, ethics, cruelty, and discrimination. Those are personal human values."
Goldberg wrapped up the discussion by pointing out that issues of racism and misogyny are not new. "The racists and the misogynists have always been here," she said. She urged viewers to focus on what they can control, particularly in areas like education. "Maybe some of what’s happening, like they're [the Trump administration] trying to take apart the Department of Education, maybe that is a good thing because maybe it'll force us to make sure that our kids actually get what they need," she suggested. "This is now in our hands, and it's going to be tough and nobody wants to do it because it's a bitch, but you know what? If it comes down to your survival, this is what you've got to do."
A Scene That Feels Almost Predictive
What’s fascinating is that the controversial Trump vote scene was filmed well before Trump announced his reelection campaign. Actress Leslie Bibb reflected on this eerie timing in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "I feel like Mike had binoculars into the future because when we did it, it just didn’t feel [timely anymore]," she said. "I was like, ‘We already did that. That was in the past.’ I don’t even think Trump was running when we did it—it was in January or February of last year or something, so yeah, that was pretty wild."
The White Lotus: A Mirror to Societal Inequality
Goldberg’s comment about The Caucasian Lotus may have been referencing the racial dynamics in the show, particularly in season three. The latest season, set in Thailand, features mostly white vacationers, while the employees are predominantly people of color or Thai locals.
This kind of social commentary isn’t new for creator Mike White. The first season, set in Hawaii, also highlighted the stark contrast between the privileged white tourists and the Native Hawaiian staff. Natasha Rothwell, who reprised her season one role as Belinda in season three, pointed out an intentional moment in episode one where her character sees a wealthy Black couple checking into the resort.
The Power of Representation in Travel
Rothwell explained that she had pitched this scene to Mike White based on her personal experiences as a Black traveler. "When I talked to him about being Black while traveling, I mentioned this story. I was traveling in Ireland, and I was at some castle at the top of some hill, and it was misty, and there wasn’t a Black face in sight. And then, this Black family emerges from the mist, and I lock eyes with them, and we started walking towards each other and hugged."
She further elaborated on why this moment in The White Lotus mattered. "When you see Black people traveling, it lets you know you're allowed to be in those spaces," she said. "In that moment when Belinda sees this very affluent Black couple walking in—never having gotten a check from the White Lotus as an employee—it allows her to fantasize and project herself onto that possibility, which I think is why I feel so passionate about Black travel and visibility. I was so glad when I saw that in the script."
A Show That Keeps Sparking Conversations
Whether it’s addressing racial disparities, political divides, or the privileges of the wealthy, The White Lotus continues to be more than just a luxury vacation drama—it’s a reflection of real-world issues. Whoopi Goldberg’s sharp observation and the ensuing discussion on The View highlight how entertainment can serve as a mirror to society, making us question our relationships, values, and the world around us. With each season, Mike White masterfully crafts a narrative that doesn’t just entertain but also challenges viewers to think critically about the power structures at play, both on-screen and in their own lives.
Login