Oprah Winfrey Rallies for Kamala Harris in Michigan, Urges Unity and Action
On Thursday (Sept. 19), Oprah Winfrey hosted a rally supporting Kamala Harris in the crucial battleground state of Michigan. The town hall, which was live-streamed, aimed to energize the Democratic presidential nominee’s base and reach undecided voters.
According to USA Today, about 400 spectators attended the "Unite for America" rally in person, while thousands more tuned in via YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms. Several celebrities, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, and Ben Stiller, joined remotely via Zoom.
"Can you feel it? Can you feel the joy rising in here?" Winfrey said when Harris arrived on stage in Farmington Hills. Harris responded, "I can." The vice president added, "This movement is about reminding each other that we have so much more in common than what separates us. This is so much bigger than me. It's about who we are as Americans."
The event was divided into segments, with voters posing questions to Harris on key issues like gun control, the economy, inflation, the southern border, and abortion. During a discussion on gun policies, Winfrey expressed her surprise at learning, during the previous week's presidential debate, that Harris is a gun owner.
"If somebody breaks into my house, they're getting shot," Harris responded before laughing. "Probably should not have said that. My staff will deal with that later… Here's my point, Oprah. I'm not trying to take everyone's guns away. I believe in the Second Amendment," she continued, calling stronger gun background checks and banning assault weapons "just common sense."
Winfrey concluded the event by appealing to undecided voters and urging them to carefully consider their choices in the upcoming election.
"For all of you watching who are still on the fence, in the middle, independent as I am, or whether you just still don't know what you're going to do. This is the moment for all decent and caring people who want the best for yourself and other people,” she said. "This is the moment for people who are tired of all of the bickering and all of the name-calling. People who are exhausted by the craziness and the made up stories and the conspiracies."