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photo-article-logo Wednesday, 09 October 2024

In pictures: From J-Lo to Chris Rock, Kamala Harris gets Hollywood boost in Oprah interview

At the 'Unite for America' talk show, the Democratic nominee for US President reminds she owns a gun and says any intruder to her home is 'getting shot'

Our Web Desk, Reuters Published 20.09.24, 12:55 PM

Oprah conducted the talk titled "Unite for America", as a studio show that was similar to the set of Winfrey's former talk show. She played her familiar role of television host. But instead of the Oprah Winfrey Show, it was effectively a 90-minute campaign infomercial for Vice President Harris, who joined Winfrey on stage for a conversation 47 days before the November election.

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Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Oprah Winfrey attend a campaign event in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 19, 2024. (Reuters)
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The event, helmed by one of the all-time masters of the television talk show, was filled with celebrity cameos and heart-wrenching personal stories.

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Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Oprah Winfrey attend a campaign event in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 19, 2024. (Reuters)

Winfrey urged undecided voters to support Harris for a better future. She said, "It seems to us that something happened to you(Kamala) the moment President Biden, stepped aside and withdrew his candidacy, that a veil or something dropped, and you just stepped into your power."

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Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Oprah Winfrey react during a campaign event in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 19, 2024. (Reuters)

"Can you feel it? Can you feel the joy rising in here?" Winfrey said when Harris arrived on stage in Farmington Hills, a suburb of Detroit in Oakland County, Michigan. Harris responded: "I can."

The event began with a star-studded opening as Winfrey called out celebrities who were attending the event virtually including Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Bryan Cranston, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Maryl Streep.

Here's a look at what the celebrities said in favour of Kamala Harris.

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Chris Rock (left), Kamala Harris (right)/ File picture

Chris Rock

“​I wanna bring my daughters to White House to meet this Black woman president,” Rock said. “I think she will make a great president and I’m ready to turn the page. All the hate and negativity, it’s gotta stop.”

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Meryl Streep speaks virtually during a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 19, 2024. (Reuters)

Meryl Streep

“Hello, President Harris,” Meryl Streep greeted her, then covered her mouth. “Oop!”

“Forty-seven days,” Harris responded, laughing.

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Kamala Harris (left) Bryan Cranston (right)/ File picture

Bryan Cranston

'I am smiling from ear to ear Oprah,' Breaking Bad's Cranston said. 'I have never felt this much joy and optimism in a campaign in a long time.'

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Julia Roberts speaks virtually during a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 19, 2024. (Reuters)

Julia Roberts

The American actress noted that this will be the first time her children are able to vote in an election. She said she couldn't be more excited for them to have the legacy to say that their first vote they ever cast for president was for you. I have just chills saying that out loud.

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Oprah Winfrey speaks with Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 19, 2024. (Reuters)

The event brought together members of over 100 online groups that have coalesced around Harris since she became the Democratic nominee, including White Dudes for Harris, Cat Ladies for Kamala and Latinas for Harris.

In a recent Reuters poll, Harris led her Republican opponent Donald Trump 47% to 42%. During the 90 minutes interview the Democratic party candidate also touched upon several issues as the audience questioned her on gun violence and border security.

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Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris answers a question from the audience during a campaign event in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 19, 2024. (Reuters)

Harris on gun violence

Addressing the topic of gun violence prevention Harris said, "I think for far too long on the issue of gun violence, some people have been pushing a really false choice to say you're either in favour of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone's guns away. I'm in favour of the Second Amendment, and I'm in favour of assault weapons bans, universal background checks, red flag laws."

The Vice-president jokingly stated, “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot,” before laughing and adding, “I probably should not have said that. My staff will deal with that later.”

The event was marked by personal stories from families affected by violence. Natalie Griffith, a survivor of school shooting, shared her experience, while Winfrey emphasized the urgency to change. "This is not normal, and this is not right. We as Americans have to do better," she stated.

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Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with Oprah Winfrey at a campaign event in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 19, 2024. (Reuters)

Harris on immigration

When asked by one of the audiences during the interview about what specific steps she would take to secure the southern border, she responded by highlighting her time as a prosecutor and Attorney General of California.

She said, "I was the elected attorney general for two terms of a border state, so this is not a theoretical issue for me, this is something I've actually worked on. I have prosecuted transnational criminal organizations for the trafficking of drugs guns and human beings. I take very seriously the importance of having a secure border and ensuring the safety of the American people."

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