It was a week of extremes for Oprah Winfrey. On Sunday, she delivered a nine-minute speech at the Golden Globes that brought the audience to tears and instantly positioned her as a potential presidential candidate for 2020. By Wednesday, her beloved home in Montecito, California, was buried under mud and debris from catastrophic mudslides that killed at least 17 people. The contrast could hardly be starker: the soaring highs of political adulation and the crushing lows of natural disaster.
The speech, which earned her the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement, was a masterclass in oratory. Starting with the MeToo movement, Oprah wove together the stories of Rosa Parks and Recy Taylor, two African American women who fought for justice decades apart. She declared that a "new day is on the horizon" for women and girls who have been abused by powerful men. The audience, including Meryl Streep and other Hollywood luminaries, rose to their feet. Social media exploded with calls for Oprah to run for president.
Almost immediately, her longtime partner Stedman Graham told the Los Angeles Times that she would "absolutely" run if the people wanted her to. However, Oprah herself said she was not thinking about it—at least not at that moment. But anonymous sources told CNN that she was "actively thinking" about a campaign. This is not entirely new: Oprah has long been a figure of immense influence, and polls have shown her beating Donald Trump in a hypothetical matchup. A March 2017 Public Policy Polling survey gave her 47% to Trump's 40%.
But her potential candidacy raises serious questions about the role of celebrity in politics. Many critics, including essayist Thomas Chatterton Williams, warned in a New York Times op-ed that "the first year of the Trump administration has shown that experience, knowledge, education, and political wisdom matter immensely." He urged Oprah not to run, arguing that the presidency is not a reality show or a talk show. On the other side, some believe her lack of political experience could be an asset—a fresh voice untainted by Washington gridlock.
Oprah Winfrey's journey to this moment began decades ago. Born in rural Mississippi in 1954, she endured a difficult childhood marked by poverty and abuse. She rose to become the first African American woman to host a nationally syndicated talk show, which ran for 25 years and made her a billionaire. Her media empire includes OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, a magazine, a book club, and production company. She has acted in films like "The Color Purple" and "Selma." Her endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 was credited with delivering millions of votes.
The mudslides that destroyed her property were part of a larger disaster in Southern California. Heavy rains following a year of wildfires caused hillsides to collapse, sending rivers of mud through communities. Oprah's home, which she had purchased for $8.8 million, was extensively damaged. She took to social media to thank first responders and urge people to help those affected. The tragedy reminded the public of her humanity and vulnerability, even as she was being elevated to near-mythic status.
President Donald Trump, known for his own unconventional path to the White House, was asked about Oprah's potential candidacy. He said he knows her well, likes her, but does not think she will run. He added confidently, "I would beat Oprah." This echoed his earlier dismissive comments about other potential challengers, but it also highlighted the vulnerability of his own celebrity-driven political brand. Oprah's approval ratings have consistently been high, while Trump's have remained low.
The debate over whether Oprah should run is unlikely to fade quickly. Her speech was a powerful rallying cry, but it also exposed a deep divide in American politics. Some conservatives, like Republican strategist Rick Wilson, sarcastically noted that he wished the country would elect someone based on serious, thoughtful opinions rather than charisma. Others, like Democratic activist Cindy Rosenthal, argued that Democrats had underestimated the importance of charisma in presidential elections. "You can't dismiss it as a joke any more than you can dismiss Donald Trump or The Rock," she said, referring to actor Dwayne Johnson, who has also hinted at political ambitions.
Oprah's week was a microcosm of America's cultural and political moment. It combined the aspirational power of a celebrity who has inspired millions, the harsh reality of natural disaster, and the ongoing debate about what qualifies someone to lead the most powerful nation on Earth. Whether she enters the race or not, her role as a political force is already undeniable. The question remains: will the country embrace the idea of President Oprah, or will it reject the notion that talk show hosts belong in the Oval Office?
In the days following the speech, bookmakers in the UK saw her odds of winning the presidency surge, tying her with Michelle Obama. British firm William Hill reported a dramatic rise in bets on Oprah. American media outlets ran countless analyses of her political positions, which are largely aligned with the Democratic Party. She has donated to Democratic candidates, supported LGBTQ+ rights, and advocated for education and criminal justice reform.
The mudslides also brought attention to the growing impact of climate change. California's cycle of fires and floods has worsened in recent years. Oprah's use of her platform to highlight the suffering of victims—she was seen on television wearing boots in her muddy yard—reminded viewers that even the wealthy are not immune to nature's wrath. Her response was both personal and public, urging donations and thanking rescue workers.
Looking ahead, the 2020 election is still nearly three years away. Oprah could choose to run, or she could use her influence to support another candidate. Either way, her Golden Globes speech will be remembered as a pivotal moment in American political culture. It demonstrated that the line between entertainment and politics is increasingly blurred, and that the public's appetite for charismatic leaders who can tell compelling stories is stronger than ever.
Source:RTBF News