Oprah Winfrey made an unexpected appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where she encouraged voters to prioritize truth and honor. Addressing the enthusiastic audience, she stated, “Let us choose truth, let us choose honour, let us choose joy, because that is the best of America.” The television mogul, who has largely stayed away from political discussions in recent years, expressed her support for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. This endorsement came on the third night of the four-day event, just before Walz’s formal acceptance of the vice-presidential nomination.
Winfrey’s appearance brought added energy to the convention, which had already featured various celebrities, including rapper Lil Jon. The Republican National Convention held a similar approach last month, with appearances from figures like musician Kid Rock and wrestler Hulk Hogan. In her speech, Winfrey promoted unity and subtly criticized Republican rivals, including former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance. She emphasized the need for compassion, stating, “When a house is on fire, we don’t ask about the homeowner’s race or religion… We just try to do the best we can to save them.”
In a pointed remark about Vance, Winfrey referenced a past comment he made regarding Democratic politicians, humorously adding, “And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady, well, we try to get that cat out, too.” Winfrey, who does not have children, had previously endorsed Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign but has since distanced herself from political affiliations.
On stage, she identified herself as an Independent voter, encouraging others to support Democrats in the upcoming election. Winfrey declared, “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.” Mississippi delegates Tracy Prince and Kathy Sykes expressed their excitement over Winfrey’s presence, highlighting her role as a source of pride for their home state. Sykes noted that Winfrey’s message resonated strongly with independent voters, reinforcing the theme of choosing “common sense over nonsense.”