Oprah Winfrey Severs Public Ties With Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz Over Political Divisions

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has publicly distanced herself from two television personalities she helped launch to stardom decades ago, Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz, over their subsequent alignment with conservative politics. In an interview with Emmy Magazine regarding her career trajectory, Winfrey addressed mounting criticism about her past professional relationships with the two former television figures.

Winfrey recalled her pivotal connection to McGraw during a protracted legal battle in the late 1990s, describing him as instrumental in providing emotional support as she navigated six weeks of trial proceedings. She credited McGraw’s grounded demeanor and practical wisdom for prompting her decision to invite him onto her show, believing he possessed valuable insights to share with her audience.

Similarly, Winfrey explained her initial reasoning for platforming Oz, noting his ability to translate complex medical concepts into accessible language for general viewers. She emphasized that both individuals received opportunities based on the substantive contributions she believed they could make to her program and audience.

McGraw and Oz have since pursued divergent political paths in recent years. Oz, backed by President Donald Trump, mounted an unsuccessful 2022 U.S. Senate campaign in Pennsylvania against incumbent John Fetterman, while McGraw appeared at Trump’s October 2024 Madison Square Garden rally and participated in Chicago immigration enforcement operations with border czar Tom Homan.

“Everybody has their own path in life, and it has not one thing to do with me,” Winfrey stated, emphasizing that their subsequent career trajectories fell outside her sphere of responsibility or influence. She reiterated that her initial motivation for giving them television exposure derived solely from her assessment of their professional expertise and potential audience value.