CHICAGO — Legendary talk show host Oprah Winfrey enthusiastically embraced Vice President Kamala Harris‘s 2024 campaign, urging independents to embrace the Democratic ticket during a surprise speech at the party’s convention Wednesday evening.
“After watching the Obamas last night, that was some epic fire, wasn’t it? Some epic fire,” Winfrey said at the beginning of her speech. “We’re now so fired up we can’t wait to leave here and do something. And what are gonna do is elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States.”
On Wednesday evening Winfrey, a registered independent, declared Harris and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) the ticket of decency.
“I always voted my values, and that is what is needed in this election, now more than ever,” said Winfrey. “So I’m calling on all you independents and all you undecideds, you know this is true. You know, I’m telling you the truth that values and character matter most of all in leadership and in life. And more than anything, you know this is true that decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024.”
Winfrey remains one of the most popular American public figures whose influence stretches across race, gender, and identity. During the 2008 election, Winfrey endorsed former President Barack Obama, a move that allegedly delivered one million votes to his groundbreaking campaign.
The strategic move to appeal to the swing voters who will likely decide the election from one of the nation’s most beloved figures is not coincidental. The Harris campaign has previously worked on bringing Republicans disturbed by former President Donald Trump into the Democratic tent. Several Republicans who are backing Harris spoke at the convention, including Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump White House press secretary.
Winfrey spent the majority of the speech hyping Democrats over a future Harris presidency. In a moment that brought raucous applause to the crowd, Winfrey declared Harris was the best of America.
“Soon and very soon, we’re going to be teaching our daughters and sons about how this child with an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, two idealistic, energetic immigrants, immigrants, how this child grew up to be the 47th president of the United States,” Oprah said.
Like several other speakers Wednesday night, Winfrey slammed the GOP over allegations they are attempting to ban books, their embrace of the Second Amendment, and alleged attempts to roll back gay rights.
“But here’s the thing: When we stand together. It is impossible to conquer us,” Winfrey declared.
The talk show host’s most memorable comment came when she took a dig at Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Trump’s running mate, over his comments about women who don’t have children.
“And despite what some might have you think, we are not so different from our neighbors. When a house is on fire we don’t ask about the homeowner’s race or religion. We don’t wonder who their partner is or how they voted,” Winfrey said.
“No, we just try to do the best we can to save them. And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady,” Winfrey said as the crowd laughed. “Well, we try to get that cat out too.”
Winfrey also took time in her speech to champion reproductive rights and the right for women to decide when, or if, they have children. (Winfrey herself chose to forgo motherhood.)
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“If you cannot control when and how you choose to bring your children into this world and how they are raised and supported, there is no American dream,” said Winfrey as the crowd clapped.
In a moment referencing her iconic dragging out of syllables when speaking, Winfrey threw her hands wide open while saying, “We’re all Americans, and together, let’s all choose Kamala Harris!” The crowd cheered as she exited the stage.