Oprah 2020? Oprah Winfrey Says Donald Trump's Victory Has Her Thinking Of Running For President
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - Oprah Winfrey said in an interview released Wednesday that President Donald Trump's victory has her rethinking whether she could be elected to the White House.
Winfrey, a Hillary Clinton supporter, spoke with financier David Rubenstein in December for an interview for his Bloomberg Television show, which premiered this week.
Winfrey says before Trump's election she thought that she didn't have the necessary government experience to run the country but now she thinks differently. The billionaire businessman had never before held public office before his election victory in November.
"I thought, 'Oh gee, I don't have the experience," Winfrey said. "I don't know enough. And now I'm thinking, 'Oh? Oh!'"
Winfrey also touched on her 25 years hosting a syndicated talk show. She says her ultimate purpose of the show was to let people know that "we really are more alike than we are different.''
As CBS2's Jessica Moore reported, Winfrey has broken the glass ceiling before. At the age of 19 while a sophomore in college, Winfrey became the first African-American female news anchor at WTVF-TV in Nashville.
From Long Island to Manhattan, CBS2 asked New Yorkers what they thought.
"It's not as easy a job as you'd think," said Jimmy Guzman of Hicksville, Long Island. "You can't just -- it's not 'The Apprentice' or 'Who Wants to be the President?'"
"I mean she's successful and smart and I like her values, but really, I think we need a president who actually knows how to run a country," said Nancy Donner of the Upper West Side.
"I think it's a good idea, because Oprah is loved by everybody," said Benny Clinkscales of Jamaica, Queens.
"If she goes for president, if she competes with Michelle, Michelle would take the seat," said Ania Cabrera of Morningside Heights.
"It's a good idea," said Darryl Silbels of Gramercy Park. "Anybody who can make a change in this here world, man, I think they should run for president."
"Love her, love her, love her -- but president? I'm not sure," said Trish Sullivan of East Williston, Long Island.
"In terms of dealing with the politics, which you can have all the ideas you want, but if you can't deal with the machine works, then I don't know how successful you can be," said Nellesa of Central Harlem. "But I would wish her luck."
In the meantime, Winfrey will be spending her time with CBS at "60 Minutes," where she signs on as a special contributor this fall.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
