Oprah Winfrey surprise appearance at DNC, takes aim at J.D. Vance's 'childless cat lady' comments

Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, delivering a powerful speech that touched on Kamala Harris' history-making nomination for president and offered a dig at Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance's recent comments.

Winfrey, 70, took the stage on Wednesday, August 21, and praised Harris, saying she is passionate about "justice and freedom and the glorious, fighting spirit necessary to pursue that passion." She also touched on the night's theme of "freedom," saying that there are people who want to divide the country and create fear.

In a nod to Vance's recent comments, in which he called the country under Joe Biden "run by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives," Winfrey said, "When a house is on fire, we don't ask about the homeowners' race or religion — We just try to do the best we can to save them. And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady — well, we try to get that cat out, too."

Winfrey's speech was preceded by a short film, American Family: A Film About Freedom, which features interviews with individuals and families about what "freedom" means to them. The film was directed by portrait photographer Platon and filmmaker and journalist Scott Dadich and produced by Godfrey Dadich Partners.

Winfrey's appearance at the convention comes as a surprise, but it's not the first time she has spoken out in support of Harris. In 2020, Winfrey spoke with PEOPLE about Harris' historic nomination, saying, "I think what she means for women of the world is so extraordinary. For women here in the United States, we can't even measure it. Because to see someone who looks like you in this role, you see what's possible for yourself. Period."