Top line
Oprah Winfrey speaks at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, offering her coveted endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris and continuing to reiterate her support for the Democratic candidates.
Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King attend the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 11, 2024 … (+)
Key data
Winfrey has been hesitant to wade into politics this year, according to her longtime friend, CBS anchor Gayle King. She said Winfrey “didn’t intend to get involved” and “tries to stay out of politics.” She added that as of this afternoon, Winfrey was still “fine-tuning” her remarks.
King noted that Winfrey’s first major political endorsement came in former President Barack Obama’s 2008 primary campaign, when he defeated then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
Winfrey supported Clinton in her 2016 campaign against Trump, but largely shied away from campaigning for her. In 2020, she supported Biden in his campaign, hosting a virtual campaign rally for him in swing states in the final days of the campaign.
She recently endorsed Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania in his 2022 Senate race against television doctor Mehmet Oz, who frequently appeared on Winfrey’s daytime talk shows.
In addition, she supported a number of other Democratic candidates in 2022, including Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada) against Republican Adam Laxalt and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) against controversial Republican Herschel Walker of Georgia in the hotly contested Senate elections in which Democrats won narrow victories.
Winfrey’s statements of support are known to have a major impact on voter sentiment. Her support for Obama in 2008 earned her about 1 million votes in the primaries, according to economists at the University of Maryland. They found a geographic correlation between votes for Obama and O Magazine subscriptions and sales of books from their book club.
Contra
Some research on Winfrey’s support for Obama contradicts the University of Maryland’s findings. According to a 2007 Pew Research Center study, nearly 70 percent of Americans said Winfrey’s support would not affect their voting decision, and 15 percent said it would make them less likely to vote for either candidate.
Surprising fact
According to OpenSecrets, Winfrey has donated relatively small amounts (compared to her net worth) to various Democratic political candidates and committees at the state and federal levels since 1992; her most recent donations were made in 2022.
Forbes Rating
We estimate Winfrey’s net worth at around $3 billion, making her the 14th richest self-made woman in America. She has parlayed her success as a daytime talk show host – which ended in 2011 – into a formidable media empire.
Important background
Winfrey spoke after former President Bill Clinton and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will close the third day of the convention with the evening’s closing speech. Singer Stevie Wonder performed earlier Wednesday night, and singer John Legend is scheduled to perform at 10 p.m. EDT.
More information
Kamala Harris’ approval ratings soar within weeks of her nomination as Democrats increasingly support her (Forbes)
Polls by Tim Walz and JD Vance: Walz more popular than Vance in early polls (Forbes)
Trump vs. Harris 2024 polls: Harris leads by 3 points at halftime of DNC election (Forbes)
