HBO host Bill Maher has endorsed Oprah Winfrey for president, saying she “checks all the boxes” that Democrats need in order to beat President Trump in the 2020 election.
Winfrey, 65, announced last year that she would not run for president. But Maher endorsed the popular talk show host anyway because he believes she is the only person who cannot lose to Trump.
Maher, on his late night television show, “Real Time with Bill Maher” critiqued various Democratic 2020 contenders pointing out the flaws that would weaken them in a run against Trump, such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sander’s age and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s youthful appearance.
Maher asserted that a Winfrey run would accomplish everything a Democrat must do in order to beat Trump, including mobilizing black and female voters. He said also Winfrey does not “scare” white men into either staying home or voting against her.
“There really is no underestimating the power of celebrity in modern American politics and that’s the final box that Oprah checks,” Maher said.
“I know some folks don’t want a celebrity president, but face it, that rule went out the window in 1980 when Bonzo’s costar got elected,” Maher said, referring to former President Ronald Reagan, who worked with a chimpanzee named Bonzo during his acting career.
“But this is not an open letter to Oprah. I know she isn’t running and I’m not begging her to. That would be for someone else to do,” Maher said. “I’m just saying, I have Nate Silvered the shit out of this and I am telling you that at this particular moment in history in this particular election year, she is the only candidate who is a sure-thing winner for the Democrats. No pressure,” he added, referring to polling guru Nate Silver.
