SM. ‘The View’: Whoopi Is Shocked to Learn About Obama’s Tan-Suitgate After Sunny Hostin Longs to Return to Those Days
‘The View’: Whoopi Is Shocked to Learn About Obama’s Tan-Suit-Gate After Sunny Hostin Longs to Return to Those Days
On the October 20, 2025 edition of The View (ABC), the co-hosts tackled a swirling mix of political outrage and historic reflection — and one moment stood out when moderator Whoopi Goldberg admitted she couldn’t remember what became known as “tan-suit-gate.” Meanwhile, co-host Sunny Hostin leaned into the moment, saying she wished we could return to the days when the biggest presidential scandal was a light-coloured suit. (TheWrap)
Setting the Stage
The conversation began in the context of the massive nationwide “No Kings” protests against Donald Trump and his administration. Hostin, Goldberg, and the rest of the panel discussed the eruption of activism, presidential decorum, and how far political norms have shifted. In that framework, Hostin referenced the relatively minor outrage over former President Barack Obama wearing a tan suit, calling it a simpler era of scandal — “I want to go back to those days,” she said. (AOL)
Whoopi was visibly puzzled. When Hostin explained, “Everyone was so angry about how un-presidential it was that Obama wore a tan suit,” Whoopi responded bluntly: “Which part of it?!” (TheWrap)
What Was Tan-Suit-Gate?
In brief: In 2014, President Barack Obama wore a light tan suit during a White House press conference, which triggered significant commentary and criticism—especially from Republicans—who claimed the attire was too casual for the office. That controversy has since been dubbed “tan-suit-gate.” (TheWrap)
Hostin’s point: In contrast to that era, where a suit colour sparked debate, we now live in a time where far more serious breaches of presidential decorum (in her view) are treated with far less outrage or consequence. She used the tan‐suit example almost nostalgically, to highlight the shift in what counts as scandal. (AOL)
Whoopi’s Reaction & What It Signals
Whoopi’s reaction—her surprise and lack of memory about the tan-suit episode—became part of the conversation. She admitted she didn’t remember the odd uproar over a suit. This raised two parallel observations: first, that for some viewers/panelists the tan-suit moment had faded into archival trivia; second, that Hostin’s longing for those days underscores how dramatically the public debate—and standards of “un‐presidential” conduct—have shifted. (TheWrap)
In effect: Whoopi’s “What?!” captures how normalised current behaviour has become, and Hostin’s wistfulness reveals frustration with that normalisation.
Why This Discussion Matters
On presidential norms: The segment draws a line between relatively mild past controversies (suit choice) and deeper current concerns about leadership, behaviour, symbolism and accountability.
On media & cultural memory: Whoopi’s inability to recall the tan-suit controversy suggests that what once seemed major can quickly become forgotten—while the bar for what counts as scandal rises (or is lowered).
On political commentary: Hostin uses a wardrobe grievance as a rhetorical device to lament the state of affairs: a kind of “good old days” appeal—not because she genuinely wants politicians obsessed with fashion, but because she sees the newer outrages as far worse yet less policed.
On audience-engagement & SEO: For a viewer reading about this topic, the article triggers questions: Are we too desensitised to presidential misconduct? Does clothing scandal count as anything now? What does this say about our political climate?
Key Quotes
“I want to go back to those days when people were so concerned about how un-presidential it was that Obama wore a tan suit.” — Sunny Hostin (AOL)
“Which part of it?!” — Whoopi Goldberg, upon hearing about the tan-suit scandal. (TheWrap)
Takeaways for Viewers & Readers
The clip is a reminder of how what we once considered scandalous can look trivial in hindsight—and how fast expectations change.
For people tracking political commentary, this highlights how talk shows like The View blend nostalgia, critique and cultural commentary, not just immediate news.
If you’re covering this for a blog or social post: use keywords such as The View October 2025, tan-suit-gate, Whoopi Goldberg reaction, Sunny Hostin comment, Obama tan suit controversy, presidential decorum shift.
Consider including a little “flashback” section in your article: remind readers of the original tan-suit event (2014) for context — because new readers may not recall the details.
Suggested Meta Description
“On the October 20, 2025 episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg admitted she didn’t remember the ‘tan-suit-gate’-era of Barack Obama, as Sunny Hostin lamented a time when a suit scandal seemed the height of presidential outrage.”
Headings & Structure
H1: ‘The View’: Whoopi Is Shocked to Learn About Obama’s Tan-Suit-Gate
H2: The Background: No Kings Protest & Presidential Norms
H2: What Happened With Obama’s Tan Suit?
H2: How Whoopi Reacted – and Why It’s Significant
H2: Why This Moment Matters Today
H2: Key Quotes & Takeaways
Final Thoughts
The segment on The View offers a layered moment: surface-level humour (a suit controversy) meets deeper commentary on how much our expectations of leadership have changed. Whoopi’s surprise and Hostin’s longing are more than TV banter — they reflect a broader sentiment of political fatigue, memory-loss and shifting norms. For anyone following media, culture and politics, this little wardrobe digression may in fact say a lot about where we are now (and where we’ve been).
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