KAMALA HARRIS: The Oprah Event That Fell Flat

Kamala Harris’ recent appearance at an event hosted by Oprah Winfrey in Michigan was intended to rally support ahead of the 2024 elections, but it turned out to be a complete mess. While the format of the event was modeled after Oprah’s iconic talk show, it felt more like a staged campaign effort that missed the mark. The event featured a mix of personal testimonies from activists and celebrities and was supposed to be a conversation between Oprah and Harris discussing major issues like abortion rights, gun control, and the economy.

Although Harris took the stage alongside Oprah, the conversation wasn’t a critical exploration of her policies. Instead, it was a controlled environment designed to polish her public image. Oprah acted more like a facilitator than an interviewer, allowing Harris to deliver her talking points without much pushback. The tone was emotional, meant to connect with the audience, and framed largely around personal stories shared by the activists present.

A few months ago, I watched a documentary about Richard Nixon’s presidential campaign. One of the things that helped lead to his victory, after several campaign losses, was his decision to bring cameras into the homes of middle-class Americans. His message about ending the Vietnam War was broadcast directly into people’s living rooms, helping him secure victory in 1968—the same year I was born.

Donald Trump seems to have borrowed from that playbook. Instead of appearing in homes via television, he’s now showing up on podcasts and collaborating with influential streamers. It’s a savvy move, especially in today’s media landscape, and one that Kamala Harris has tried to replicate. However, her attempt to engage the younger generation didn’t go as smoothly. When her team reached out to popular streamer Kai Cenat, he took to social media to express his frustration, making it clear he had no interest in working with her or her campaign.

While I wouldn’t be drawn to Cenat’s style—his content doesn’t resonate with me—millions of young people follow him. Kamala likely saw his platform as a way to connect with that demographic, but her approach backfired, with Cenat publicly rejecting her overtures. Meanwhile, Trump has been successfully breaking the mold, appearing on podcasts and even attending events like the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago this past August.

It’s becoming increasingly evident that Kamala Harris is struggling to stay relevant. Her recent appearance with Oprah felt like a last-ditch effort to salvage her campaign, but it fell flat. Celebrities like Chris Rock and Ben Stiller have also struggled to shine in Oprah’s orbit, and Harris was no different. Oprah’s natural charisma overshadowed Kamala, who seemed small and unpresidential next to her. Oprah’s over-the-top excitement, especially when calling out celebrities, reminded me of Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games, and the event started to feel like a real-life Reaping ceremony.

The entire thing came across as overly staged—celebrities dialed in via Zoom, and virtual attendees filled the screens. Harris’ answers felt rehearsed and shallow, and even Oprah had to frown and follow up, searching for something more substantive.

The emotional highlight of the event revolved around two tragic abortion stories from Georgia, used to underscore arguments against restrictive abortion laws. These stories involved two Black women who took abortion pills, experienced complications, and tragically passed away. However, what was glaringly absent from the conversation was the accountability of the medical providers who prescribed these pills. They gave the women medication but failed to offer the necessary follow-up care. It’s like handing someone a loaded gun and hoping they won’t shoot—but if they do, you’re quick to raise your hands, claiming no responsibility.

The narrative implied that these women had taken the pills in dangerous or unsafe conditions, but that wasn’t the case. They took them in the safety of their own homes. The issue wasn’t where they took the pills—it was the failure of their medical providers to offer proper support when complications arose. Fear of legal repercussions due to abortion restrictions drove these women to the ER, leaving them without adequate care.

This lack of accountability raises ethical questions. If agencies are willing to provide medication for a procedure restricted or illegal in certain states, they should also ensure the safety and well-being of the women who take it. Without proper safeguards, these women are left vulnerable and unsupported.

The most unsettling part of this segment was when the mother of one of the women tearfully recounted the loss of her daughter, without mentioning the twins her daughter had aborted. This wasn’t just one life lost—there were three. The absence of any acknowledgment of the twins felt disturbing. Every decision carries consequences, and there must be accountability for our actions. I cried for those women and their families, and I pray for them. I believe those babies are in a better place, but the weight of these losses cannot be ignored.

Kamala’s only strong moment came when she answered a question from a young couple about the economy. They had recently bought a home and had a baby. Like many middle-class Americans, they asked, “What will you do to help us?” Kamala mentioned her $25,000 first-time homebuyer program and her childcare tax credit for the first year of a child’s life. However, this couple wouldn’t qualify for either—by the time she might take office, they would already own a home, and their child would be too old for the credit. Oprah quickly shifted the conversation to gun violence, but the awkwardness lingered.

Kamala then mentioned that she owns a gun, which only added to the unease. The conversation again shifted back to emotional appeals about children, which felt like political exploitation. It’s disturbing how often children are used as tools in these discussions.

On immigration, Kamala’s responses were similarly vague. Immigration is a significant issue in cities like Springfield, Ohio, and across the country, but often, the legitimate concerns of local communities are dismissed as racist or irrelevant. The complexity of the issue deserves more thoughtful engagement, but the current administration has yet to offer any real solutions.

By the end of the event, I left with one thought—America is in trouble if Kamala Harris is elected president.