California woke up in chaos this morning after a shocking “news alert” flooded social media claiming that beloved actress and TV host Whoopi Goldberg, 69, had been “seriously injured after falling from the 19th floor of a building.” The report spread like wildfire across multiple platforms, leaving fans, celebrities, and journalists scrambling for answers. For several hours, hashtags like #PrayForWhoopi and #WhoopiGoldbergAccident dominated trending lists, while speculation and panic grew by the minute.

According to the initial false report, Goldberg had been “rushed to the hospital in critical condition” and was allegedly found “clutching a mysterious blue object” at the scene. The bizarre detail only fueled online theories and conspiracy discussions, with some claiming it was connected to a secret Hollywood incident or political plot.

However, as the story developed, representatives for Whoopi Goldberg quickly stepped forward to confirm that the entire narrative was a complete fabrication. In an official statement released to the press, her publicist denounced the claims as “utterly false, irresponsible, and harmful.” The statement continued, “Whoopi Goldberg is perfectly healthy and safe at home. There was no accident, no injury, and no emergency of any kind. These rumors were deliberately spread by an unknown third party attempting to damage her reputation and cause confusion.”

The clarification came as a massive relief to fans worldwide, many of whom had spent hours worrying about the Oscar-winning star’s condition. “It’s disgusting that people would make up something so cruel just for attention,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “I knew something felt off about that story — Whoopi’s too smart to be caught in a situation like that.”

Goldberg’s family members also spoke out, expressing both gratitude for the outpouring of support and outrage over the viral hoax. “We appreciate everyone’s concern, but Whoopi is fine,” a family spokesperson told reporters. “She’s at home, laughing about how ridiculous this whole thing has become. We are, however, working with authorities to find out who started it and why.”

The Los Angeles Police Department has reportedly opened an investigation into the source of the false story, which first appeared on a newly created website posing as a legitimate entertainment news outlet. Investigators believe the fake article may have been generated by an automated account or “clickbait” operation aimed at profiting from viral traffic.

Media experts say the incident highlights the increasing dangers of misinformation in the digital age. “What happened to Whoopi Goldberg is a perfect example of how fast a lie can spread online,” said Dr. Alicia Brenner, a media studies professor at UCLA. “It takes only a few minutes for a fabricated headline to go viral — and sometimes hours before the truth can catch up.”

This isn’t the first time a celebrity has been the target of a malicious rumor campaign. Over the past year, several stars — including Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, and Denzel Washington — have faced similar false death or injury reports spread by unverified online sources. The goal, analysts suggest, is usually to generate shock clicks, harvest user data, or manipulate public sentiment for ulterior motives.

Despite the online frenzy, Whoopi Goldberg has chosen to stay calm. A close friend revealed that she spent the day relaxing with family and joked, “If I had fallen from the 19th floor, trust me — I wouldn’t be tweeting about it!”

Fans are now calling for stricter action against fake news sites that profit from celebrity scandals. Meanwhile, Goldberg’s management team is considering legal options against those responsible for fabricating and spreading the false story.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the award-winning actress remains very much alive, healthy, and unfazed. What started as a horrifying rumor ended up exposing once again the fragility of truth in the digital era — and reminding everyone that not everything online should be believed.

Whoopi Goldberg is safe. The story was fake. But the damage it caused serves as a real warning about the power — and danger — of misinformation.