When Donald Trump Said Oprah Winfrey Would Be His ‘First Choice’ For Vice President

by

Reflecting on my years in the world of politics and entertainment, I must say that Donald Trump’s choice of Oprah Winfrey as his potential vice president back in 1999 was an inspired one. As a lifestyle expert who has seen my fair share of power players, I can attest to the fact that Oprah’s charisma, intelligence, and popularity were undeniably assets that could have catapulted them both to the White House.

In October 1999, Donald Trump publicly stated that Oprah Winfrey was his preferred candidate for the vice presidency, should he decide to run for president. This declaration was made during the initial stages of his presidential campaign, when the notion of Oprah as a political figure was just starting to garner significant interest.

In October 1999, on CNN’s Larry King Live, Donald Trump declared his intention to establish a presidential exploration team. During this interview, Larry King inquired about Trump’s potential vice president pick. At that time, Trump, who was contemplating running for the Reform Party nomination, offered an unexpected name as his possible choice for the role.

Trump acknowledged he hasn’t made his vice presidential pick just yet, but then expressed his fondness for Oprah, stating, “Oprah is someone I truly admire. If given the choice, she would be my top pick.” Trump highly regarded Oprah, calling her an exceptional woman and a remarkable individual. He praised her accomplishments, saying, “She is someone who stands out as extraordinary.

It was evident that Trump admired Oprah greatly, as he referred to her as a remarkable woman and expressed enthusiasm at the possibility of her joining his political team. He stated that if she were to consider it, she would be exceptional, adding, “I’m not sure she would ever do it,” acknowledging her hesitation towards politics.

Trump made a comparison noting that, just as he leads a busy life, she too is very active. In his words, “He’s got a lot going on, and so does she.

During that period, Trump was contemplating seeking the Reform Party’s nomination. He was confident in his ability to beat Pat Buchanan, who was seen as the front-runner. Trump predicted that it would be Buchanan, and he believed Buchanan had essentially self-destructed with his book and his affection for Adolf Hitler.

Trump emphasized that his primary objective was achieving victory, rather than amassing votes. He stated that if he felt he couldn’t win or if winning wasn’t an option, he wouldn’t participate. Moreover, he expressed a desire to secure the most victories among independent candidates in history, rather than accumulating the most votes. Simply put, he wanted to emerge triumphant.

In 2000, I chose not to pursue a presidential run, officially announcing my withdrawal in February. However, against all expectations, I emerged victorious in both the California and Michigan Reform Party primaries. My comments about Oprah Winfrey during this time period remain a significant part of my early political narrative.

Read More

2024-09-09 12:23