In a dramatic turn at the Democratic National Convention, Oprah Winfrey vocally criticized former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance.
Fox News reported that Winfrey's unexpected speech at the DNC in Chicago centered on disavowing Trump, whom she once admired, and advocating for integrity and democracy.
Winfrey made a surprising appearance on Wednesday at the United Center in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention.
This marked a significant shift from her past, where 24 years earlier, she had publicly considered Trump a viable presidential candidate.
Winfrey is yet another elite who loved Trump before he dared go against the system. Ever since he jumped into politics and started sticking up for the American people, the elites like Winfrey have hated him.
In her address, Winfrey explicitly criticized the former president and his current running mate, Senator JD Vance, distancing herself from her previous praises of Trump.
Her criticism comes amidst the backdrop of Vance's controversial remarks about "childless cat ladies," sparking a broader conversation on respect and inclusion in politics.
Winfrey emphasized the continuous need to engage in voting as a fundamental American duty, countering the rhetoric suggesting that single-time voting could be sufficient.
"Now, there's a certain candidate that says if we just go to the polls this one time, that we'll never have to do it again. Well, you know what? You're looking at a registered independent who's proud to vote again and again and again because I'm an American. And that's what Americans do. Voting is the best of America," Winfrey stated, championing the democratic process.
Her speech was not just a critique but also a call to uphold the values that underpin the democratic process, stressing the importance of character and decency in leadership.
Addressing universal respect, Winfrey recounted an analogy of emergency response, "When a house is on fire, we don't ask about the homeowners' race or religion... We just try to do the best we can to save them. And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady, well, we try to get that cat out, too. 'Cause we are a country of people who work hard for the money. We wish our brothers and sisters well. And we pray for peace," she explained.
This part of her speech highlighted her vision of an inclusive America that aids its citizens irrespective of their personal choices or lifestyles.
Following her speech, the Trump campaign released a letter dated back to 2000 in which Winfrey had praised Trump, highlighting the complexity of her previous and current positions. In response to the resurgence of the old letter, Winfrey reflected on her change in perspective since then, "I might have thought it back then," she acknowledged in a 2023 interview.
"I'm telling the truth when I say values and character matter. Most of all, in leadership and in life, you know, this is true, that decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024. And just plain common sense over loyalty to any individual," she asserted, signaling a robust stance on the qualities needed in leaders today.
"We know all the old tricks and tropes that are designed to distract us from what actually matters," Winfrey remarked during her speech.
She continued, "But we are beyond ridiculous tweets and lies and foolery. These are complicated times, people, and they require adult conversation. And I welcome those conversations because civilized debate is vital to democracy, and it is the best of America."
Her call for mature discussions over superficial or misleading political tactics struck a chord with many at the convention, reinforcing her appeal for reasoned and respectful political dialogue. It also attracted criticism from Republicans who have watched her lob superficial attacks at Republicans for years.
