Oprah Winfrey makes surprise appearance at the DNC in Chicago

CHICAGO — Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night to throw her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

The talk show host called on Americans to move beyond political divides and described the November presidential election as a choice between “common sense” and “nonsense” in her 15-minute speech.

“I am calling on all you independents and all you undecideds,” Winfrey said. “More than anything, you know this is true, that decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024. And just plain common sense.”

It was a homecoming for the purple-clad star, who hosted the nationally syndicated Oprah Winfrey Show talk show in Chicago for twenty-five years. Winfrey became the first Black owner of a TV and film facility when she purchased with a group of investors a West Side studio near the United Center.

On Wednesday, she marked her return as she took the mic at the United Center blocks away from where Harpo Studios once stood.

“Who says you can’t go home again,” she said to start her speech.

As Winfrey rattled off the list of each state where she’s lived, the respective delegations cheered in turn. She then received a standing ovation from many delegates on the floor when made the joke referencing GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s comments about “childless cat ladies.”

Americans help their neighbors and would look beyond divides like race, religion and political affiliation “when a house is on fire,” she said.

“We just try to do the best we can to save them,” Winfrey said. “And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady, well, we try to get that cat out too.”

She also took jabs at the top of the Republican ticket, making unsubtle references to former President Donald Trump. The choice in the presidential election should be “loyalty to the Constitution over loyalty to any individual,” “optimism over cynicism” and “inclusion over retribution,” she said.

“America is an ongoing project. It requires being open to the hard work — and the ‘heart’ work — of democracy,” she said. “And every now and then, it requires standing up to life’s bullies.”

The crowd throughout the United Center rose to its feet as Winfrey highlighted Harris’ background as the child of immigrants, waving signs and chanting, “USA! USA! USA!”

“That is the best of America,” she said of Harris’ origin.

The media mogul joined a star-studded lineup backing the Harris-Walz ticket on stage Wednesday night. Comedians Mindy Kaling and Kenan Thompson joked, and musicians Stevie Wonder and Maren Morris performed, while Sheila E. and John Legend were set to perform later.

Winfrey joined in the singing herself, belting out Harris’ name in her trademark vibrato fashion as she left.

_____