U.S. President Donald Trump has responded to the widespread sentiment that Oprah Winfrey will run for president in 2020, telling reporters that the prospect is unlikely – but that if the media mogul did take a swing at the job, he would beat her.
Speaking to reporters at a meeting of lawmakers working on an immigration bill, Trump said “Yeah, I’ll beat Oprah. Oprah would be a lot of fun.
Explaining his viewpoint, Trump said “I know her very well. You know I did one of her last shows. She had Donald Trump – this is before politics – her last week.
“And she had Donald Trump and my family. And it was very nice. No, I like Oprah. I don’t think she’s going to run.”
“I’ll beat Oprah. Oprah would be a lot of fun,” President Trump says of rumors Oprah will run for president in 2020. “I don’t think she’s going to run.” pic.twitter.com/cBfEUB7lCe
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 9, 2018
The push for Oprah to enter politics comes after her peerlessly charismatic acceptance speech for the Cecille B. Demille Award at the Golden Globes on Monday, which was praised for its vision, humanity, and stance against racism and sexual abuse.
Since that speech, those close to Oprah have said she’s toying with the concept. Longtime partner Stedman Graham told The Los Angeles Times “she would absolutely do it” if it were the will of the people.
Oprah’s close friend Gayle King told CBS the former talk-show host is “intrigued by the idea.”
“I don’t think at this point she is considering it,” King said, “but listen, there are people who have said they want to be her campaign manager, who want to quit their jobs and campaign for her.”
All of this comes about 19 years after Trump said he’d pick Oprah as his running mate if he ever mounted a bid for the presidency.
In 1999, who did Donald Trump say he’d pick as a female running mate if he ever ran for president?
“Oprah.” pic.twitter.com/SrEf4E3hRs
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 9, 2018
Fuck it. The 2020 race will be Trump against Oprah, with cameo appearances from Mark Zuckerberg and Kanye West. This is what we deserve.
