Whoopi, Salahis in Backstage Battle After “View” Taping

"The Real Housewives of D.C." has yet to air its first episode but it's already providing plenty of grist for the gossip mill.

An off-screen dust up between "View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg and Tareq and Michaele Salahi, the infamous White House party crashers, became an "elevated and heated" exchange, according to the New York Daily News.

During a sit-down interview with the entire cast of the new reality show, Whoopi Goldberg - who was not in the segment - appeared on the side of the stage. She proceeded to walk up to cast member Michaele Salahi, touched her on the shoulder, and said, "Excuse me, can you get back to the White House, please."

"Oh if you'd like us to, we can," Salahi responded as Goldberg walked away. Apparently hurt by Whoopi's remarks, Michaele was seen crying backstage before going to the security office saying she'd been attacked. She and her husband claimed that Goldberg has gotten physical with Michaele at which point Tareq confronted Goldberg and an expletive-laden argument ensued.

After the situation was broken up, a spokeswoman for "The View" explained their position.

"As the broadcast clearly shows, the accusation was completely unfounded," she said. "After being told she was being accused of hitting Ms. Salahi, Whoopi proceeded to defend herself verbally."

The cast of "The Real Housewives of D.C." is set to appear on "The Today Show" Thursday morning in advance of the series premiere tonight.

Contact Us