NEW YORK: New York politicians are calling on Whoopi Goldberg to apologize for suggesting on air that a local bakery had declined to let “The View” host a batch of desserts for her birthday because of her political beliefs.

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella was among the local leaders and supporters who joined Holtermann’s Bakery owner Jill Holtermann at a news conference Friday (Nov. 15) in front of the 145-year-old Staten Island borough institution.

The Republican said the actor and comedian had “defiled and defamed” the bakery by “making stuff to suit their needs.”

“Not everybody wakes up every day thinking about politics,” he said. “A good businessman doesn’t care about anybody’s politics.”

Fossella explained that the bakery’s decades-old boiler had broken and needed to be replaced, so the shop didn’t want to commit to a large order it couldn’t fulfill.

“Just say you’re sorry so we can put this behind us,” he said without naming Goldberg.

Holtermann, speaking briefly, said she has been overwhelmed by the support as the bakery has been flooded with orders in response to the public spat.

“I know how hard my family has worked to keep this business alive,” she said. “I wish my father was here today to see this.”

Representatives for Goldberg did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday (Nov. 16).

Goldberg is an outspoken liberal who has recently refused to say President-elect Donald Trump’s name on the show.

The flap began Wednesday (Nov. 13) when Goldberg celebrated her 69th birthday on the ABC talk show by sharing a tray of Charlotte Russe — tiny sugar cookies topped with whipped cream and a cherry that she said was her mother’s favorite dessert growing up.

But as the co-hosts munched on the treats, she mentioned that it had taken some work to get them.

“Now I’ll tell you, Charlotte Russe has no political leanings, and the place that made these refused to make them for me,” she said as the audience gasped and one of the co-hosts spat out the cake in mock protest. “They said their furnaces had gone out, but people went and got them anyway, that’s why I won’t tell you who made them.”

“It’s not because I’m a woman, but maybe they didn’t like my politics,” Goldberg continued. “But it’s okay because you know what? Listen, this is my mom’s celebration. Pick these up and celebrate with me and my mom. Thank you all for celebrating my birthday today.”

Holtermann later confirmed that it was her bakery and its distinctive treats that Goldberg called out on air, but she maintained that it was not about politics but equipment issues.

The actor, who is originally from New York, nevertheless took to Instagram on Thursday (November 14) to double down on his claim.

“It seems a little strange that when we called a few weeks before my birthday and we were told they couldn’t process the order for my birthday because of an equipment failure,” Goldberg said in the follow-up video. “But somehow, they were able to take an order for another 48 of the same dessert when someone else called without using my name.”

The actor ended the video saying that the issue didn’t ruin her special day.

“It’s okay, you guys, because I enjoyed my delicious dessert and I had a happy, sweet birthday,” Goldberg said. “Nothing better than that.” – AP