In a powerful address at the United Center, Oprah Winfrey, a daytime television icon, emphasized that the 2024 presidential election is fundamentally about values and character, cautioning that “decency and respect are on the ballot.” Identifying as an independent, Winfrey expressed her belief that Vice President Kamala Harris clearly surpasses former President Trump in embodying these virtues.
Winfrey referenced Trump’s recent, cryptic comments suggesting that his re-election would mean his supporters wouldn’t have to vote again. She criticized this notion as fundamentally un-American, arguing that it underscores the critical choice voters face regarding the nation’s future values.
Winfrey urges independents to support leaders like Harris and Walz for their strong values
Appealing to independents and undecided voters, Winfrey stressed the importance of character and values in leadership, urging them to recognize the importance of these qualities in the upcoming election. “Common sense,” she argued, points to Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the leaders who can preserve decency and respect in American politics.
Winfrey made a compelling call for loyalty to the Constitution over any individual, promoting optimism, inclusivity, and justice as the pillars of American democracy. She warned against a return to divisiveness, stating, “We won’t go back, we won’t be sent back, pushed back, bullied back, kicked back. We’re not going back,” hinting at the potential setbacks in civil rights and equality if Trump were re-elected.
Paying homage to the New Orleans Four, who were instrumental in desegregating schools in 1960, Winfrey highlighted Tessie Provost, one of the four, and her impact on future generations. She drew a direct line from Provost’s courage to Harris’s own experiences as part of the second integrated class in Berkeley, California, in 1968.
Winfrey concluded by envisioning a future where Americans teach their children about Kamala Harris’s journey—from the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants to potentially becoming the 47th president of the United States, a sentiment that was met with enthusiastic applause.
