On Thursday, Kamala Harris participated in a “virtual rally” with Oprah Winfrey, featuring a wide-ranging interview. During the discussion, Harris criticized her opponent’s stance on reproductive rights and vowed to sign a border security bill previously blocked by Senate Republicans. However, she remained cautious in her responses to the legendary talk show host.
The event, led by Winfrey, one of television’s iconic figures, featured celebrity appearances and emotional personal stories. It was live-streamed from Michigan, a critical battleground state.
Oprah addressed the audience of 400 in-person attendees and over 200,000 virtual participants, saying, “There’s a real feeling of optimism and hope making a comeback … for this new day that is no longer on the horizon but is here. We’re living it.”
Among the virtual attendees were stars like Tracee Ellis Ross, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Chris Rock, and Ben Stiller, who joined from their homes to express their support for the Harris-Walz campaign.
Chris Rock voiced his excitement, saying, “I wanna bring my daughters to the White House to meet this Black woman president. I think she will make a great president, and I’m ready to turn the page. All the hate and negativity, it’s gotta stop.”
Meryl Streep playfully greeted Harris with, “Hello, President Harris,” before quickly covering her mouth and saying, “Oop!”
Harris, smiling, replied, “Forty-seven days.”
Facing Oprah’s questions, Harris maintained her usual control, a trait she’s been known for since the early days of her career. Even when Oprah pressed her on the transformation after Biden endorsed her, Harris remained reserved.
However, Oprah managed to elicit a rare candid moment when Harris shared her surprise at learning she had long been a gun owner. “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot,” Harris said with a laugh. “Sorry. Probably shouldn’t have said that. But my staff will deal with that later.” She added, “I’m not trying to take everyone’s guns away.”
During the 90-minute conversation, Harris addressed audience concerns about immigration, the cost of living, and the crackdown on reproductive rights. Oprah brought up the fears faced by Haitians and others due to false claims spread by the Trump campaign, acknowledging that many Americans have real concerns about immigration.
Harris blamed Donald Trump for blocking a border security bill that would have increased funding for law enforcement at the border. “Trump called up his folks and said, ‘Don’t put that bill on the floor for a vote.’ He preferred to run on a problem rather than fix it,” Harris said.
The family of Amber Nicole Thurman, who died in 2022 after Georgia’s abortion ban delayed her medical care, also attended. Her family blamed Trump and his Supreme Court picks for her death, calling the ban the reason she was denied proper treatment. Harris expressed her condolences and reaffirmed that Trump’s Supreme Court choices were intended to spread abortion bans across the country.
The “Unite for America” rally, streamed live on Thursday night, brought together 400 organizations that have supported virtual events for the Harris-Walz campaign. Win with Black Women, a group that quickly mobilized after Biden dropped out of the race, organized the first rally, with founder Jotaka Eaddy speaking about Black women’s leadership in the campaign.
Despite significant momentum from the Democratic National Convention and the September 10 presidential debate, the race between Harris and Donald Trump remains close, with both candidates tied at 47% according to the latest poll from the New York Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Siena College.
