Oprah Winfrey distances herself from stars she helped make famous: "I have no connection"
American television host Oprah Winfrey addressed in a recent interview with "Emmy Magazine" two of the biggest stars who got their break on her show – Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz – and clarified that she should not be held responsible for their positions and political path today. "Everyone has their own path in life, and it has nothing to do with me, and I have nothing to do with them," said Winfrey, after being asked about the criticism directed at her following their identification with conservative politics.
American television host Oprah Winfrey addressed in a recent interview with "Emmy Magazine" two of the biggest stars who got their break on her show – Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz – and clarified that she should not be held responsible for their positions and political path today. "Everyone has their own path in life, and it has nothing to do with me, and I have nothing to do with them," said Winfrey, after being asked about the criticism directed at her following their identification with conservative politics in the USA.
For years, Oprah Winfrey was considered one of the most influential figures on American television. The platform she provided on her show was capable of turning guests into household names across the United States – and two of the most prominent cases were Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
However, in the years that have passed since, the two have turned toward political directions far from those identified with Winfrey. In an interview with "Emmy Magazine," she was asked how she feels today regarding the two people she helped turn into national figures.
"People criticize me because of Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz, because of their politics or their opinions," she said. Winfrey explained that when she decided to give them a platform, her considerations were not political at all. In the case of McGraw, the connection between them began following a lengthy legal battle in which she was involved in the late 90s.
"Dr. Phil was so practical, so down-to-earth, so real. And he would ride with me in the car every morning on the way to the trial, when I was literally on trial for six weeks," she recounted. According to her, the assistance she received from him made her think he could help others as well. "I felt he was so significant in the help he gave me. I thought: 'You can help a lot of people. You need to come on my show.'"
Winfrey said that a similar reason stood behind her decision to promote Dr. Mehmet Oz. According to her, his ability to explain complex medical topics in simple language made her realize he might be suitable for the general public. "He explained practical things like colon cancer and bowel activity. I thought he had the language that allows explaining medical things in a way that helped me. I thought it would be helpful to many other people as well. And that is how they came to the show."
However, since then, the paths of the two have changed. Oz entered politics directly: he ran in 2022 for a Senate seat from Pennsylvania, won the support of Donald Trump, but lost to John Fetterman. After Trump's return to the White House, Oz was appointed in 2025 to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
McGraw did not express official support for a specific party, but in recent years has become a figure more identified with the conservative discourse. Among other things, he appeared at Trump's election rally at Madison Square Garden in October 2024 and even accompanied immigration enforcement officials in enforcement activity in Chicago alongside Tom Homan.
Against the backdrop of these changes, Winfrey sought to sharply separate the decision she made years ago to give them a platform from the positions they express today. "Everyone has their own path in life, and it has nothing to do with me, and I have nothing to do with them," she said. "At that time, the reason and intention behind the opportunity I gave them was that I thought they had valuable information to share, which was significant for me."
Her words also sparked criticism. Curtis Houck, managing editor of "NewsBusters" at the "Media Research Center," argued in a conversation with "Fox News Digital" that Winfrey herself does not avoid political involvement. According to him, "Oprah certainly has no problem being friends with progressives or anyone willing to stand against Trump." He added that in his opinion, while Winfrey is entitled to promote the positions she believes in, McGraw and Oz are also entitled to hold political opinions of their own.
