"Really Strange?" US Democrats' 'Night of the Worlds'... Oprah Winfrey's Surprise Appearance (Comprehensive)

The star of the third day of the U.S. Democratic National Convention (DNC) was undoubtedly Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who delivered the acceptance speech for the vice presidential nomination. Just earlier this month, he was almost unknown in national politics, but on the night of the 21st (local time), he took the biggest stage of his political career and etched the name "Tim Walz" across the nation. That day was essentially "Walz's night" for the vice presidential candidate. However, there was another unexpected star who played the role of a "surprise gift." Oprah Winfrey, the "queen of talk shows," who was not originally on the speaker list, made a surprise appearance on stage and appealed to independent voters to support the "Harris-Walz team."

U.S. Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota
[Photo by Reuters]

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As is customary, Governor Walz took the stage as the final speaker on the evening of the third day of the convention at the United Center in Chicago to deliver his acceptance speech for the vice presidential nomination. Introduced by a former student he once taught, he said, "I am honored to accept the nomination as the vice presidential candidate of the United States," and shared his life story of being born in a small town in Nebraska, working as a high school teacher and football coach, and serving in the National Guard.

He said he was inspired to enter politics by the support of his students, who saw in him values such as commitment to community, the understanding that everyone is in it together, and the belief that one person can bring change to their neighbors. Although he had no prior political experience, he eventually won a seat, joking, "Don't underestimate public school teachers." When Walz, who has the image of an ordinary neighborly guy, spoke about his personal experiences and said, "Family is everything to me," his son Gus Walz, who was in the audience, was moved to tears.

Known for his clear and concise speech style that effectively conveys his intentions, Walz repeated the phrase "weird," which had previously made him known among Democratic supporters as a "Trump sniper." He warned that if former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, returns to the White House, middle-class housing costs will rise, social safety nets and health insurance will collapse, and abortion will be banned nationwide. He then said, "It's an agenda that helps no one except the wealthiest and most extreme people," adding, "Is it weird? Absolutely," which was met with applause from the audience.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

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True to his background as a football coach, Walz compared the presidential race to football, saying, "We gave up a field goal in the fourth quarter, but we got the ball," and "If we fight, we will win." He urged, "For the next 76 days, we have to block and tackle. Inch by inch, yard by yard, we have to make calls and knock on doors." He emphasized, "If we fight, we will win." Throughout the venue, "Coach Walz" placards also caught attention.

Local media had long anticipated that Walz's acceptance speech would be the biggest stage of his political career. Walz himself admitted during the speech, "I haven't given many big speeches like this," adding, "I've given a lot of pep talks." CNN described the speech as "full of words people can relate to," saying, "It gave insight into why Harris chose him as her running mate." The New York Times (NYT) analyzed, "It was a major stage just 15 days after being nominated as the vice presidential candidate," noting his sharp satire and witty commentary attacking the Trump camp. Vice President Harris reportedly advised Walz before his speech to "enjoy the moment."

Oprah Winfrey appeared as a surprise speaker on the third day of the Democratic Party convention.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

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At the convention, former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Oprah Winfrey took the stage to support the Harris-Walz team. Especially drawing all eyes was Winfrey, who was not on the speaker list until the day before. Wearing a purple suit, Winfrey took the stage and raised her voice, saying, "This election is not about them or us, but about you and me, and the choice of what kind of future we want."

She said, "Some candidates (Trump) say you only need to go to the polls once and never again," adding, "You are looking at a registered independent voter right now. Since I became eligible to vote, I have voted according to my values, and this election is more important than ever. I appeal to all independent voters and those who are undecided," urging support for the Harris-Walz team.

Winfrey emphasized that "freedom is not free," highlighting the importance of dedication and inclusion. She also said, "When a house is on fire, we don't ask the homeowner's race or religion. We don't wonder who their partner is or how they voted," adding, "We just do our best to save them." She further criticized Senator J.D. Vance, former President Trump's running mate, for his derogatory "cat lady" remark by saying, "If that house happens to be the home of a cat lady with no children, we will try to save the cats too."

Locally, it is expected that Winfrey, who wields significant influence among Black voters, will have a considerable impact on independent voters by delivering this endorsement speech. The NYT called it a "surprise gift from Oprah Winfrey," reporting that Democratic officials kept her appearance a secret until the last moment. The Guardian also described it as a "surprise gift moment." According to CBS, Winfrey said after the convention that she took the political risk of speaking because "I truly care about this country," adding, "A life like mine, a career like mine, and success like mine could only happen in America."

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton [Photo by Reuters]

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Former President Bill Clinton, speaking as a former president, emphasized that he is two months younger than former President Trump, turning around the "age risk" attack that was once a key Republican card, drawing strong applause from the audience. He said, "Let's get to the point. I am too old to bother with unnecessary pretense," adding, "I turned 78 two days ago, just like Trump." He added, "The only personal vanity I want to claim is that I am still younger than Trump." Clinton was born on August 19, 1946, while Trump was born on June 14, 1946.

Clinton said, "In 2024, we must make a clear choice," emphasizing that Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris is a candidate for the people, while former President Trump is a person only for himself. He mocked Trump by saying, "Trump mostly talks about himself," calling him "one of the tenors singing 'me, me, me, me.'" In contrast, he praised Vice President Harris, saying, "Every day will start with 'you, you, you, you,'" and "She will solve our problems, seize opportunities, reduce fears, and ensure every American has the chance to pursue their dreams."

He also joked about Harris's past, mentioning that she worked at McDonald's during her school days, saying, "She will break my record as the president who spent the most time at McDonald's," referring to his own frequent photos ordering food at McDonald's during his presidency.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who also spoke that day, introduced Vice President Harris as "a person of deep conviction and dedication" in a brief speech. She referenced the January 6 Capitol riot by Trump supporters, emphasizing, "We must choose leaders who believe in free and fair elections and respect peaceful transfers of power."

[Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]

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Next-generation presidential hopefuls, once considered rivals or potential running mates for Vice President Harris, also spoke that day. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro described this year's election as a moment to decide "whether we become a nation defined by chaos and extremism or choose the path of dignity, honor, and continued progress." Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, "We must end Trump's dark politics forever," emphasizing, "We can choose better politics ? politics of hope, possibility, freedom, and trust, which Kamala Harris and Tim Walz represent."

Andy Kim, a Korean-American congressman from the Democratic Party in New Jersey, who is the first Korean-American to run for the U.S. Senate this November, is giving a speech at the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago on the 21st (local time). The on-site footage shows a photo of Congressman Kim quietly cleaning up glass and trash left on the floor during the January 6 Capitol riot. The photo was widely reported in the media at the time and became a topic of interest. [Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]

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Other speakers aligned with the third day's theme of "The Fight for Freedom" included many who addressed key issues of this election such as abortion rights, the January 6 Capitol riot, former President Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and criticism of Trump's policy blueprint known as "Project 2025." Mini Timaraju, president of the abortion rights group "Reproductive Freedom for All," spoke early in the convention, asking, "Do you want a president who says women should be punished for having abortions, or a president who trusts women?" She added, "If women are not free, we cannot call ourselves a free country."

Olivia Troye, former national security advisor to Republican Vice President Mike Pence, warned, "Working in Trump's White House was terrifying," adding, "What keeps me up at night is what will happen if he returns to the White House." Korean American Congressman Andy Kim said, "On January 6, we all learned that we are stewards of our great republic," and "I refuse to accept a fate where our children must grow up in a broken America." He gained attention when photos surfaced of him quietly cleaning up glass and trash left on the Capitol floor after the January 6 riot.

Meanwhile, Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, did not attend the convention in person that day. Campaign aides said she watched the speeches on television from her hotel room in Chicago. She is scheduled to unveil her vision for her presidency during her acceptance speech on the final day of the convention, the 22nd.

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