Oprah Winfrey sparked speculation on social media that she will run for president in 2020 after she received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the Golden Globes on Sunday, delivering a speech that received several standing ovations and became a viral hit online.
During her speech, Winfrey said the press is "under siege these days" and that the media's job is to uncover the truth.
"I want to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association because we all know the press is under siege these days," Winfrey said. "We also know it's the insatiable dedication to uncovering the absolute truth that keeps us from turning a blind eye to corruption and to injustice. To—to tyrants and victims, and secrets and lies. I want to say that I value the press more than ever before as we try to navigate these complicated times, which brings me to this: what I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have."
After Winfrey's speech, celebrities, journalists, and commentators on social media called on her to run for president in 2020.
https://twitter.com/JohnStamos/status/950204663516692482
Oprah/Michelle 2020
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/rgay/status/950203291404664833
https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/950203167639261189
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/950204625508098048
https://twitter.com/JessicaValenti/status/950204708295184385
As I sit here in tears...I have never ever seen such a speech. @Oprah, my friend. Please run for President. This world needs more of THAT. WOW.
— Billy Gilman (@BillyGilman) January 8, 2018
She’s running. A new day is on the way.
— Leslie Odom, Jr. (@leslieodomjr) January 8, 2018
I'm a little disappointed Oprah didn't announce she was running for president at the Golden Globes! #Oprah2020
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) January 8, 2018
OPRAH FOR PRESIDENT!!!! #Oprah2020
— Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) January 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/joelcifer/status/950223070790381569
https://twitter.com/wkamaubell/status/950256708781096968
Oprah for president! #GoldenGlobes https://t.co/08V79aiwwC pic.twitter.com/HK3MaWQCOb
— Daily Star (@dailystar) January 8, 2018
Oprah-Yates 2020
— Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) January 8, 2018
I’m in.... #oprahforpresident @Oprah pic.twitter.com/kt0R1b9Rao
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) January 8, 2018
News organizations were quick to speculate on whether Winfrey will run in 2020.
Instantly, Oprah 2020 erupts https://t.co/7tguxsNoRb
— Jim VandeHei (@JimVandeHei) January 8, 2018
"A super wealthy TV star thinking about running for President? Where have we heard this before?"
CNN's @brianstelter explains why "President Winfrey" was the "talk of the liberal-leaning ballroom" at last night's Golden Globes. https://t.co/p2Tx7JWduy
— New Day (@NewDay) January 8, 2018
Analysis: Oprah would really like for us to talk about her running for president in 2020 https://t.co/40nu7eKr0g
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 29, 2017
NBC's official Twitter account appeared to endorse Winfrey for president, saying, "Nothing but respect for OUR future president." The network deleted the tweet on Monday, calling it a mistake.
When asked whether Winfrey will run for president, her longtime partner, Stedman Graham, told the Los Angeles Times, "It's up to the people. She would absolutely do it."
While many Twitter users praised Winfrey's speech, not everyone was excited about the idea of her being president.
oprah’s speech ruled and also i would like a president with some governing experience
— Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) January 8, 2018
Oprah is amazing and inspiring and driven.
She's also still not qualified to be President. Stop.
— Alisha Grauso (@AlishaGrauso) January 8, 2018
I like @Oprah. But take a deep breath and think this through: Do we really want being a good person + being famous + giving a great speech = presidency? https://t.co/kAUmeRqx8f
— Cindi Andrews (@ByCindiAndrews) January 8, 2018
Back in 1999, then-businessman Donald Trump told Larry King during an interview that Winfrey would be his "first choice" for vice president.
UPDATED 11:34 A.M.: This story was updated to note that NBC deleted its tweet on Oprah Winfrey.