Oprah Winfrey, a registered Independent, is being called the most influential speaker at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), according to Republican pollster Frank Luntz.
Speaking at the DNC a night after former First Lady Michelle Obama energized the crowd, Oprah was formidable, Luntz said.
Following Winfrey's speech, Luntz said that he was "wrong" in thinking former first lady Michelle Obama's speech on Tuesday would resonate most with voters.
"Instead, it will be Oprah," Luntz wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "She has really touched the values nerve."
Winfrey was a surprise speaker at the DNC having never spoken at a national convention before. Last night she chose to target the Trump, Vance ticket encouraging Independents to vote for Kamala Harris.
She made her first presidential endorsement in 2007, of former President Barack Obama.
Winfrey said as an Independent, said she votes based on her values.
She told a story of America's history from a segregated nation to one in which a Black woman, who's the daughter of an Indian immigrant, could become president of the United States. However, she added, "freedom isn't free" and Americans need to stay committed to maintaining democracy. At times, she said, that requires "standing up to life's bullies."
So far, most of the speakers are talking Trump rather than policy, according to CNN.