In a late-night Philadelphia rally, Oprah Winfrey joined Vice President Kamala Harris to energize voters before Election Day, urging supporters to prevent a Trump return to the White House.

With a backdrop of America’s historic “Rocky Steps” at the Philadelphia Art Museum, Winfrey took the stage alongside ten first-time voters introduced by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. Among them was Philadelphia Union player Eddy Davis III, symbolizing Harris’s appeal to a younger demographic eager to see liberal policies stay in play, as reported by Fox News.

Winfrey wasted no time expressing her concerns. Recalling a recent hiking trip, she told the crowd about a woman who felt like “sitting this one out.”

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But Winfrey insisted this was no time for indifference, claiming, “If we don’t show up tomorrow, we might lose the opportunity to ever cast a ballot again.” For Winfrey, a Harris vote was not just about a candidate; it was a supposed “protection” of the Constitution—though some Americans may see the push as a reach.

Quoting JFK’s “ask not what you can do for your country,” Winfrey spun her appeal to voters, encouraging them to vote “for every young woman” affected by what she called “abortion bans.”

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To some, this part of her speech felt like a throwback to old liberal talking points, intended to stoke fears on social issues that have divided the country for decades.

In a calculated move to connect with younger voters, musician Will.i.am performed “Yes, She Can,” a play on the famous Obama-era slogan.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a rally at the Reno Events Center on Oct. 31, 2024.

By the time Harris took the stage, she claimed that her campaign “shows who America is” and branded this election as the “most consequential” in history. She leaned into rhetoric that emphasized “unity” and a “new generation of leadership.”

Critics, however, might note that while she praised inclusivity, her focus was clear: ushering in more progressive changes.

Harris vowed to prioritize Americans’ needs, dismissing any idea of compiling an “enemies list” but rather promising to focus on improving lives. Chants of “we are not going back” broke out, as Harris promised to “listen” to those who disagree and to offer “a seat at the table.”

Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign stop on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at the UAW Local 652’s Patterson Hall in Lansing, Mich. [MATTHEW DAE SMITH | Lansing State Journal/USA Today Network]
Her pledges sounded optimistic, yet many conservatives would question how her administration would handle issues central to middle America, like border security, the economy, and family values.

In an unusual nod, Harris acknowledged Republicans who had crossed party lines to endorse her. This included notable former officials like Rep. Liz Cheney, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and others—a list that doesn’t exactly reflect today’s Republican base but rather a handful of outliers who have voiced discontent with Trump.

The rally also included Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who echoed Harris’s call for progress over tradition, telling the crowd, “We are not going back to a king,” alluding to conservative critiques of strong national leadership.

Democratic presidential nominee and current U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a rally at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie on Oct. 14, 2024.

Shapiro’s remarks, however, sidestepped major issues plaguing Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, such as crime and the economy, which have left many in the state wary of progressive governance.

The evening’s entertainment came with a political twist as Puerto Rican musicians Fat Joe and Ricky Martin took the stage. Fat Joe called out Trump’s stance on immigration, while Martin performed his classic “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” both artists backing Harris.

For conservatives, this aspect of the rally may have come off as celebrity posturing, rather than a serious engagement with the real issues affecting the average voter.

The night closed with Harris rallying the crowd, saying, “Tonight, we finish as we started—with optimism, with energy, with joy—knowing that ‘we the people’ have the power to shape our future.”

But as the final push winds down, the question remains: will the American people lean into these appeals for progressive change, or will they choose a return to what many see as common-sense policies?