Oprah squashes rumors of 2020 presidential run, says it's not in her 'DNA'

published 25 January 2018

Here's a bit of bad news for anyone who has already ordered an Oprah 2020 mug: According to the woman herself, it's not going to happen.

"I've always felt very secure and confident with myself in knowing what I could do and what I could not," Oprah Winfrey told InStyle, responding to speculation that she could challenge President Trump in the next election. "And so it's not something that interests me. I don't have the DNA for it."

Rumors have been swirling ever since Winfrey delivered a powerful and inspiring speech at the Golden Globes. Two sources in Winfrey's inner circle allegedly told CNN that she is "actively thinking" of running, and her longtime partner, Stedman Graham, told the Los Angeles Times that she "would absolutely [run]." One January poll showed Winfrey crushing Trump in a head-to-head race, 51 percent to 42 percent.

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Gayle [King] — who knows me as well as I know myself practically — has been calling me regularly and texting me things, like a woman in the airport saying, "When's Oprah going to run?" So Gayle sends me these things, and then she'll go, "I know, I know, I know! It wouldn't be good for you — it would be good for everyone else." I met with someone the other day who said that they would help me with a campaign. That's not for me. [InStyle]

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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