Oprah Winfrey unleashed the Democratic crowd with a surprise appearance, offering unqualified support for Harris.
“We are so motivated that we can’t wait to get out of here and do something,” she said. “And what we’re going to do is elect Kamala Harria as the next president of the United States.”
Winfrey warned against politicians seeking to sow division in the country and spread a message of fear, but encouraged Americans to unite.
“When we stand together, it is impossible to defeat us,” she said.
Winfrey invoked the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat who was a civil rights activist, in speaking about ongoing efforts to protect freedom.
“When a house is on fire, we don’t question the race or religion of the owner. We don’t question who his partner is or who he voted for. No. We just try to do our best to save him,” she said. “And if the house belongs to a woman who has cats and doesn’t have children, we try to get the cat out, too.”
Oprah Winfrey’s comment was a reference to televised remarks made by Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance in 2021, lamenting that the country was run by a “bunch of childless pussies.”
The iconic talk show host accused Trump of using “old tricks and tropes” to distract Americans.
“But we are past the point of ridiculous tweets, lies and nonsense,” she added. “We are living in complicated times that require adult discussions.”
Oprah Winfrey’s speech stirred emotion among convention attendees, as cameras showed delegates wiping away tears and chanting “USA.”
“Soon, very soon, we will teach our daughters and our sons how this child born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, two idealistic immigrants – immigrants – grew up to become the 47th president of the United States,” she said. “That’s America at its best.”
Winfrey rebuked Trump’s comments about the election to demonstrate the importance of voting, and made a direct appeal to independent and swing voters: “You know I’m telling you the truth: Values and character matter above all else in leadership and in life.”
She said “decency and respect” as well as common sense will be on the agenda in November’s election.
“We are Americans. Let us choose loyalty to the Constitution over loyalty to an individual, because that is what is best in America. Let us choose optimism over cynicism, because that is what is best in America. And let us choose inclusion over vengeance, let us choose common sense over absurdity, because that is what is best in America. And let us choose the sweet promise of tomorrow over the bitter return of yesterday,” she said.
Winfrey continued: “We will not go back. We will not be pushed back, pushed back, intimidated, pushed back, we will not go back. Let’s choose truth, let’s choose honor, and let’s choose joy, because that’s what’s best about America.”
She concluded by urging voters to elect Harris as the next president in November.
