Trump’s ‘former vice presidential candidate’ Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Vice President Kamala Harris: The 10 key takeaways |
In January 2000, Oprah Winfrey said she would like to be Donald Trump’s vice president if he ever ran for president. Today, Oprah is one of Kamala Harris’ most prominent supporters. She supported Harris in a rare way and hosted a livestream event titled
United for America
. The forum, designed to mobilize voters in key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia and Michigan, drew over 200,000 virtual viewers. Oprah used her signature interview style to explore personal stories and pressing policy issues.
Here are the ten key takeaways from the event:
- A strong opening message of hope: Oprah struck an optimistic tone at the start of the event, declaring, “There’s a real sense of optimism and hope returning… for this new day that’s no longer on the horizon, but is here. We’re living it.” This message permeated the entire event and positioned Harris’ campaign as one that seeks to bring about meaningful change in a country that longs for empathy and progress.
- Harris’ stance on
Gun control : In a surprising and somewhat controversial moment, Harris, who owns a gun herself, openly remarked, “If someone breaks into my house, they’re going to get shot.” Although she quickly backtracked, the comment sparked a broader debate about her stance. Harris emphasized her commitment to stricter gun laws, including a ban on assault rifles, a core issue of her campaign. Gun violence Survivors speak out: The event featured emotional testimonies from gun violence survivors, including Natalie Griffith, a 15-year-old student who survived a school shooting. Her mother, Marilda Griffith, tearfully recounted the traumatic event and emphasized the urgency of addressing gun violence. Harris’ compassion and commitment to preventing further tragedies resonated with the audience.- Expansion to
Immigration issues : For the first time, Harris delved deeper into the impact of illegal immigration, speaking about the devastating effects of fentanyl and the challenges faced by overwhelmed border patrol agents. She criticized Donald Trump for blocking a congressional bill that would have increased funding for law enforcement at the border and vowed to revive the bill if elected. - Highlighting the
Fentanyl crisis : Harris pointed out that the fentanyl crisis is overwhelming border security, further straining resources and exacerbating public safety concerns. Her plan includes combating transnational criminal organizations, which she said could have been addressed by the blocked bill. By putting this issue in the spotlight, Harris wanted to appeal to voters who are concerned about both immigration and drug trafficking. - Emotional testimony on abortion rights: A particularly poignant moment came when the family of Amber Thurman, a woman who died of sepsis after being denied timely medical care due to restrictive abortion laws, spoke out. Harris used her testimony to highlight the grave consequences of the reversal of
reproductive rights Under the Trump administration, she positioned herself as a staunch advocate for women’s health care and reproductive freedom. - Harris’ commitment to reproductive rights: As a central theme of her campaign, Harris promised to take immediate action to protect reproductive rights and criticized her opponent’s harmful stance on abortion. She described the fight for reproductive freedom not just as a political issue, but as a “health crisis” that affects both patients and medical professionals.
- Preparing for electoral challenges: In a discussion about possible election challenges, Meryl Streep asked Harris how she was preparing for the “long battle of machinations” if Donald Trump refused to accept the election results. Harris assured the audience that her legal team was ready to protect the integrity of the election. She also urged voters to fight misinformation and support poll workers to protect democracy.
- Star power and public support: The event also featured virtual guests from well-known figures such as Chris Rock, Tracee Ellis Ross, Meryl Streep, Ben Stiller and Jennifer Lopez. Their presence, along with that of the 100 grassroots groups supporting Harris, gave the campaign a significant boost. Chris Rock humorously remarked, “I want to bring my daughters to the White House to meet this black president,” emphasizing the cultural significance of Harris’ candidacy.
- Oprah’s call to action: Oprah, in her role as moderator and interviewer, captured the humanity and purpose in Harris’ answers and made it clear that the campaign is not just about politics, but also about the people it affects. At the end of the event, Oprah urged viewers to turn the energy of the rally into action, saying, “We’re happy to have you here, but the hooray moment will pass, and then we have to get to work.”
US LIVE | Kamala Harris and Oprah Winfrey team up for high-profile virtual rally | Michigan
