It Started as a Joke, But Oprah Might Actually Run For President
by
on January 8, 2018, 03:01pm. ESTAt the Golden Globes on Sunday, Oprah Winfrey accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement with a speech that left everyone who heard it either wiping away tears or covered in goosebumps. The first Black woman to accept the award, Oprah gave a powerful address which spoke to everything from sexual harassment to racial injustice and the importance of free press. Her words had such an impact that it got people talking: could Oprah be the next American President?
If you haven’t heard Oprah’s speech, you must. Immediately.
“I want all of the girls watching here now to know, that a new day is on the horizon.” @Oprah accepts the 2018 Cecil B. de Mille award. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/hbquC1GBjm
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 8, 2018
Chills, right? You’re not alone—celebs from across the Golden Globes audience shared their support for the star’s address.
Let me tell you this room is still vibrating like electricity from that speech. #OPRAH #micdrop #TimesUp #MeToo #GoldenGlobes
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 8, 2018
I will now officially divide time like this : Everything that happened before @Oprah speech : Everything that will happen after.
— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) January 8, 2018
I am so moved to witness the solidarity of women and men everywhere, across all industries, unite in their support of women and girls all over the world. Thank you @oprah for inspiring us all! x VB #TimesUp #WhyWeWearBlack #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/1eMzLzjZJB
— Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) January 8, 2018
While Oprah’s words were truly awe-inspiring, rumours about Oprah’s potential presidential bid likely wouldn’t have taken off as they did were it not for Meyers’ joke about his fear of another celebrity-turned-politician. In his opening monologue, Meyers shared that his jokes at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner might actually be partly responsible for the current nightmare in office. “Some have said that night convinced him to run,” Meyers said. “So, if that’s true, I just want to say… Oprah, you will never be president! You do not have what it takes!”
Seth Meyers: “In 2011, I told some jokes about our current president at the WHCD… I just want to say: Oprah, you will never be president. You do not have what it takes. And Hanks. Where’s Hanks? You will never be vice president.” #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/vQzxrHZfrt
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 8, 2018
Meyers was obvs being cheeky, but the comment seems to have a lot of celebs thinking: If Trump has what it takes, Oprah does one hundred million times over.
Oprah/Michelle 2020
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 8, 2018
#Oprah2020 !!!
— John Stamos (@JohnStamos) January 8, 2018
The only thing that would have made that better would have been “Yes, we can. And I am. 2020.” #Oprah #etalkGlobes #GoldenGlobes
— Elaine L. (@LaineyGossip) January 8, 2018
The notion spread like wildfire across Twitter, prompting the hashtag #Oprah2020.
For more than three decades, @Oprah has been inspiring others, giving a voice to the voiceless, and telling stories that had the power to change lives. Her speech at the #GoldenGlobes tonight was presidential. #Oprah2020 pic.twitter.com/MvCcyq3V5s
— Joseph Amodeo (@josephamodeo) January 8, 2018
A very stable genius. #Oprah2020 pic.twitter.com/wJr0bvDJFo
— Jerrick (@Jer_uh_me) January 8, 2018
Oprah went from being dirt poor to becoming an ACTUAL self made billionaire, is intelligent, empathetic, hardworking & has done so much humanitarian work on top of being one of the best communicators on earth, why SHOULDN’T she run for president?! #Oprah2020
— Matty (@mattymonsterz) January 8, 2018
At first glance, Oprah in the White House seems super far-fetched, especially since the television personality has insisted for years that she’s never wanted the presidency. That said, after the Golden Globes, it’s quite possible that Oprah has changed her mind. The Los Angeles Times asked Oprah what she thought about #Oprah2020, to which she said, “I say, I’m just glad I got through the speech! I thought a lot about it. I wanted this to be a meaningful moment.” When the Times reporter reiterated just how badly the internet wants her to take office, Oprah grinned and replied, “Okay!”
What the heck does that mean, Oprah?! Should we or shouldn’t we start buying t-shirts with your face on it?!?! THE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW.
Don’t fret! Oprah’s longtime boo Stedman Graham told the LA Times that, AND I QUOTE, “she would absolutely do it.” According to Graham, “it’s up to the people” if she’ll run or not. If that’s not your cue to start drafting #Oprah2020 tees, what is?
All fun aside, upon witnessing the damage a celebrity can do when they’re in possession of the nuclear codes (hi, Trump), a lot of people are rightly skeptical about having another TV personality take office.
“Donald Trump is an incompetent reality tv star who’s only qualification is being rich.”
*5 seconds later*
“OMG OPRAH SLAY QUEEN, SHE WILL SAVE US ALL #OPRAH2020”
— Lady Kayla (@VixenRogue) January 8, 2018
Like every other human on this planet, I truly believe Oprah is one of the best among us. She is undoubtedly brilliant and generous. I wish there were more like her. But for goodness sake stop this #Oprah2020 business.
— Abigail Barker (@abigailybarker) January 8, 2018
Donald Trump will be vulnerable in 2020 in part because people will be — hell, they already are — tired of having a celebrity with no political experience fumbling around as president. Not sure Oprah (or Tom Hanks, or Mark Cuban, etc) will be a compelling answer to that.
— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) January 8, 2018
It’s true Oprah would be one thousand times better than Trump—a child might be better than Trump, TBH—but is another celebrity the answer? While we’re not sure what will happen, we know one thing for sure: Oprah’s speech was magnificent and we need more people like her in the world. Hopefully, as we move progress as a society, we can make Oprah’s “new day” become a reality.
For more from the Golden Globes:
Celebs Who Supported Time’s Up By Wearing Black on the Golden Globes Red Carpet
The Cutest Couples on the Golden Globes Red Carpet
The 8 A-List Activists Accompanying Celebs on the Golden Globes Red Carpet
Debra Messing Called Out Pay Inequality at E!… In an Interview With E!
Do Not Drag the HFPA President For Wearing Red at the Golden Globes
The post It Started as a Joke, But Oprah Might Actually Run For President appeared first on Flare.