The call for talk show host and media mogul Oprah Winfrey, 63, to run for president in 2020 was loud and divisive.
No doubt, her speech upon receiving an award at the January 7 Golden Globe Awards was exhilarating. She addressed the current #MeToo movement, saying: “I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have”.
But she also reminded us: there are so many women who’ve come before to make this moment possible. In particular, she referenced Recy Taylor, a black woman who was raped by six white men in 1944 and who never saw justice.
With this, Winfrey’s uncanny ability to unite as well as condemn, a flame was lit beneath an an idea: Oprah 2020.
Media commentators, celebrities, members of the public – even actress Meryl Streep – called on Winfrey to consider running. But their enthusiasm was criticised by others. Winfrey has no past experience in politics and doesn’t this remind you of anyone? (ahem… Donald Trump.) Fame, we should know by now, should not equal eligibility.
LISTEN: All the signs were pointing to Oprah running in 2020. Post continues below.
As the debate around her raged, Winfrey remained silent. But now, finally, she has spoken about what she feels she can do, and – fortunately, or unfortunately – it doesn’t involve running for president.
“I’ve always felt very secure and confident with myself in knowing what I could do and what I could not,” the 63-year-old told InStyle in a recent interview. “And so it’s not something that interests me. I don’t have the DNA for it.”
She said her best friend, television presenter Gayle King, often speaks to her about the possibility of running, but knows deep down it’s (probably) not going to happen.
Top Comments
" ‘I know, I know, I know! It wouldn’t be good for you—it would be good for everyone else’.”
THAT comment from Oprah's friend tells me a lot.
If the need is big enough - I reckon she'll "fall on her sword" and run.
IF Trump & Pence ARE still in The White House in 2020 she'll be deafened by the pleas from (not just celebrities ) but ordinary people who've been hurt by Trump & his cronies.
If he starts a war to prop up his terrible ratings or distract people from his self-serving policies - she'll be compelled to do something.
Traumatic scenes of families being ripped apart through his heartless "Dreamers" policies or grieving parents saying goodbye to their military children will get to her.
Trump's arrogant & meddlesome intrusion into the Israel / Palestine problem is extremely dangerous.
Let's not forget "poking the bear" that is Nth Korea.
There's much more to come if he and his VP aren't Impeached soon.
Let's see how this plays out.
I didn’t think it was a good idea either - celebrity does not necessarily make you a good leader or politician. I admire her humility and ability to recognise her own strengths and weaknesses though, very unlike someone else I don’t have to mention....