Van Jones took media fanboying over Oprah Winfrey's hypothetical political future to a new level Monday evening, calling her the "queen of the universe" who would "destroy" anyone in front of her if she ran for president.
After Winfrey's well-received speech at the Golden Globes on Sunday evening, the media went into a frenzy over her potentially challenging President Donald Trump in 2020.
Perhaps no one was more gleeful over that prospect than Jones, the former Obama administration official and current CNN commentator. Winfrey is a longtime ally of Barack Obama.
"The question is, does she want to be demoted from queen of the universe to President of the United States," Jones said. "That's the only question. If she wants to do it, she can do it. She is probably the most beloved human being on Earth. She is probably the most beloved carbon-based life form on Earth. If she runs, she will destroy anyone in front of her."
Jones said there was "bedlam in Oprah Land" with people in her orbit begging her to consider, but he added she had given no indication she had moved off her prior position of not being interested in a White House run.
"That speech last night was extraordinary. She did in nine minutes what Barack Obama did in 17 minutes in 2004," Jones said, referring to the 44th president's famous Democratic National Convention keynote address that launched him onto the national scene.
CNN's Brian Stelter reported Monday that Winfrey was "actively thinking" about running for president, but NBC reported a "source close to Oprah" saying she had "no intention of running."
NEW: A source close to @Oprah tells @tvkatesnow as of today, she has no intention of running for President in 2020:
'It’s not happening. She has no intention of running," the source said.
Source says that’s from Oprah herself.— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) January 8, 2018
Will she or won’t she run...? Oprah Presidential prospects predictably splitting the NY tabloids this morning. pic.twitter.com/e67DSe9afP
— Dave Briggs (@davebriggstv) January 9, 2018
Like the current president, Winfrey is a billionaire media mogul and former television host with no prior political or military experience.