Television icon Oprah Winfrey made an unexpected appearance at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, her hometown, urging both Democrats and independent voters to choose “common sense over nonsense.” The 70-year-old Winfrey, who has largely stayed away from the political limelight in recent years, took to the stage to support Vice-President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, during the third night of the four-day convention.
Addressing a cheering crowd on Wednesday, Winfrey stated, “Let us choose truth, let us choose honour, let us choose joy,” adding, “Because that is the best of America.” Her words resonated with the audience, underscoring her call for unity and integrity in the upcoming elections. Winfrey’s appearance, timed just before Walz’s primetime speech to formally accept the party’s nomination for vice-president, added a significant boost of star power to the event. Her endorsement helped energize the convention, which had already featured other well-known figures, such as rapper Lil Jon.
The DNC’s tradition of featuring celebrities at party conventions was mirrored by the Republicans, who last month filled their own gathering with notable figures, including musician Kid Rock and wrestler Hulk Hogan. Winfrey’s speech, however, went beyond mere star appearances. She subtly criticized the Republican challengers, former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance, without naming them directly.
“Despite what some would have you think, we are not so different from our neighbours,” Winfrey remarked, offering a message of unity. “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. No. We just try to do the best we can to save them.” This analogy highlighted the shared humanity that should transcend political differences.
In a pointed jab at Vance, Winfrey added, “And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady, well, we try to get that cat out, too.” This comment was a clear reference to a controversial 2021 interview in which Vance had labeled Democratic politicians as “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.” Vance’s remarks had gone viral after Trump announced him as his running mate, drawing widespread criticism. Notably, Oprah Winfrey does not have any children, making her comment particularly pointed.
Winfrey’s involvement in the convention marked her return to the political stage after a significant hiatus. In 2007, she had endorsed then-Illinois Senator Barack Obama in his bid for the presidency, a move that was seen as pivotal in his campaign. At that time, Winfrey, who shared a close connection with Obama through their Chicago roots, hosted fundraisers and actively campaigned for him in Iowa. However, in recent years, Winfrey had distanced herself from political endorsements, focusing on her media empire and personal projects.
On Wednesday night, however, Winfrey embraced her political voice once again, casting herself as an Independent. She urged other like-minded voters to rally behind the Democratic ticket in the upcoming November elections. “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,” she declared, emphasizing the importance of participating in the democratic process.
The impact of Winfrey’s speech was immediate. Tracy Prince and Kathy Sykes, who were in attendance at the convention, leaped out of their seats when they saw Winfrey take the stage. Both Prince and Sykes hail from Mississippi, Oprah’s birthplace, and they felt a deep connection to her. “We love Oprah so much,” Mrs. Sykes told BBC News, expressing the pride Mississippians feel in claiming Oprah as one of their own. She added that Oprah’s speech was a “powerful message” specifically directed at independent voters, encouraging them to support Kamala Harris. “She gave very good reasons why – to choose common sense over nonsense,” Mrs. Sykes said, reflecting on the resonating message from the convention hall.
Wednesday night’s program was not only about Oprah Winfrey’s star-studded return to the political scene; it also included appearances by other celebrities like Stevie Wonder, Mindy Kaling, and Kenan Thompson. The Democratic Party has been strategically leveraging the influence of its famous supporters to draw attention to the convention, hoping that their involvement will encourage more voters to engage with the electoral process and cast their votes for Kamala Harris in November.
The effectiveness of celebrity endorsements in political campaigns has been a topic of debate. Research suggests that while big-name endorsements can generate significant publicity for a party, their impact on actual voting behavior is less certain. Some studies indicate that personal relationships, such as those with friends and family, may have a more substantial influence on an individual’s voting choices. In certain instances, celebrity endorsements might even deter some voters, depending on the celebrity’s public persona and the context of their support.
Nonetheless, Oprah Winfrey’s appearance at the DNC served as a powerful reminder of her enduring influence and the weight her words carry in the public sphere. As the Democratic Party gears up for the final stretch of the campaign season, they are undoubtedly hoping that Winfrey’s call for “truth, honour, and joy” will resonate with voters across the nation, motivating them to choose common sense over nonsense when they head to the polls in November. The convention’s emphasis on unity and integrity, highlighted by Winfrey’s speech, sets the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested election, with both parties vying for the hearts and minds of the American electorate.
