U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he could beat Oprah Winfrey in a presidential race, even as one of Winfrey’s closest friends hinted that the media mogul was intrigued by the possibility of running but was not presently considering it.
Speculation of Winfrey going for the white house race circulated on social media and news sites after her inspiring “new day” speech at the Golden Globes awards show on Sunday night, which touched on female and black empowerment, her roots in poverty and support of those who speak up about sexual abuse and harassment.
However some critics on social media postulated that the country may not be agreeable of another celebrity political novice coming in after Trump's 2016 victory.
Winfrey, 63, who has been a cultural force in the country for decades has not commented publicly on the speculation.
Trump, speaking with reporters during a White House meeting with lawmakers, said in response to a question, ”Yeah I’ll beat Oprah. Oprah would be a lot of fun.
“I know her very well. ... I like Oprah. I don’t think she’s going to run,” said the Republican president, 71.
Winfrey confidante Gayle King said earlier on Tuesday there was no change in Winfrey’s past position, that she is not interested in running for president.
“I do think she’s intrigued by the idea, I do think that,” King said on the “CBS This Morning” program. “I also know that after years of watching ‘The Oprah (Winfrey) Show’ you always have the right to change your mind. I don’t think at this point she’s actually considering it.”
However, report citing two of Winfrey’s close friends, reported on Monday that the television and movie producer and actress was actively thinking about a White House bid.
Winfrey has raised millions of dollars for various causes, including shelters for battered women but, like Trump when he launched his White House campaign, she has no prior experience in government. Trump, a businessman and former reality TV star, based part of his appeal on the fact he was truly not a Washington insider.
“NOPRAH! Do we really need another celebrity president?” read the front page of Tuesday’s New York Post. A critique in Slate on Monday was headlined “Oprah? Really?,” and bemoaned the “impossibly boring” current crop of major political figures, making people more likely to vote for celebrities like Trump or Winfrey.
Former Trump White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who was the public face of some of the Trump administration’s early missteps last year, said on the “Good Morning Britain” show that Winfrey lacked “political infrastructure” and would have a hard time adjusting to the White House.
Winfrey first gained national fame with her TV talk show, which often focused on self-improvement and touched on previously taboo subjects like incest, rape, eating disorders and depression.
Source: Reuters
