Oprah Winfrey defends platforming Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz

Oprah Winfrey has addressed criticisms regarding her role in launching the television careers of Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz. In a recent interview with Emmy Magazine, Winfrey defended her decision to provide the two men with platforms on her eponymous talk show, stating that her original intention was based on the belief that they had “valuable information to share” that was meaningful to her.

Winfrey noted that she is frequently criticized for their current political views and affiliations. Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz have both become prominent allies of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. McGraw serves on Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, while Oz was appointed to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2025.

Winfrey also reflected on her personal history with McGraw, noting that he was instrumental in supporting her during a 1997 lawsuit involving Texas cattle ranchers. She described him as “so practical, so down to earth [and] real” during that period.