US Polls 2024: Oprah faces MAGA backlash after DNC endorsement; old Trump praise resurfaces

Oprah faces MAGA backlash (X: BehizyTweets)

Oprah Winfrey faced intense backlash from MAGA supporters after endorsing Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, sharply criticising Donald Trump without directly naming him. Republicans pointed out that Oprah had shifted her stance, having once been a strong Trump supporter. Winfrey's old videos and a letter praising Donald Trump resurfaced online.

"Decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024. And just plain common sense -- common sense tells you that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz can give us decency and respect," Oprah said, addressing Trump's running mate JD Vance's derogatory remarks about "childless cat ladies."

In response, the Trump campaign circulated a handwritten letter Oprah sent Trump in January 2000, after receiving an excerpt from his book The America We Deserve. In the letter, Oprah expressed admiration, writing, "Donald -- I reviewed the book excerpt. I have to tell you, your comments made me a little weepy. It's one thing to try and live a life of integrity -- still another to have people like yourself notice. Thank you." She also noted, "Too bad we're not running for office. What A TEAM!" The letter was later included in Trump’s book Letters to Trump. Trump admitted that after announcing his presidential bid, Oprah never spoke to him again.

Additionally, Republicans shared a video of Trump on Oprah's show, suggesting she admired him before her political views shifted.

Never forget that Oprah Winfrey was in LOVE with Donald Trump and the idea of him running for PresidentShe brought him on her show all the time to pick his brains on everything from foreign policy to the economyShe admired and respected him until new programming was installed pic.twitter.com/SbDfjA66uy— George (@BehizyTweets) August 22, 2024

As Oprah endorsed Kamala Harris on stage at the DNC, Trump posted a picture of a letter she sent him wishing she was his presidential running mate"Donald - I received the book excerpt. I have to tell you, your comments made me a little weepy. It's one thing to try and live a pic.twitter.com/BZrBmzv623— George (@BehizyTweets) August 22, 2024

Oprah Winfrey’s political endorsements began with Barack Obama in 2008. She backed Clinton in 2016, Biden in 2020, and Fetterman in 2022. Her political convention debut came at the 2024 DNC, where she praised Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, marking her first appearance at a convention.