"We wouldn't even know you if Oprah didn't make you a household name" - Internet criticizes Dr Phil over anti-DEI speech at Trump rally
Talk show host and author Dr Phil McGraw attended Donald Trump’s campaign rally at the Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 27. At the event, Dr Phil made a speech against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) which has now garnered severe traction online.
“This country was built on hard work, added value, and talent, not on equal outcome, not on DEI,” the 74-year-old stated.
In the wake of his anti-DEI comment, he is earning backlash from the internet. For instance, Instagram user @becomingchanel commented on The Neighborhood Talk’s repost of Dr Phil’s speech video.
The user pointed out how he was a “household” name due to Oprah Winfrey, and his anti-DEI remark went against that.
“Excuse me??? We wouldn’t even know you if Oprah didn’t make you a household name… you utilized the h*ll out of DEI,” the person wrote.
Many people joined the conversation and shared similar reactions on the social media platform X.
“Dr Phil was Oprah’s DEI hire. I’m sure there were more credible psychologists or whatever he is that she could have elevated,” a netizen wrote.
“Da F did Phil McGraw say about DEI? @Oprah got him his job so, he’s the DEI in this scenario,” one netizen wrote.
“Oof. There goes what’s left of his sense of tolerance. Oprah’s p*ssed,” wrote another.
“Says the white guy who was handed a career by a black woman,” a user wrote.
Others made some general remarks about Dr Phil’s anti-DEI speech.
“He lost a lot of integrity of people who didn't really know ‘Dr’ Phil,” one user wrote.
“Biggest con artist there is,” wrote another.
“The one good thing about Trump is he showed us who people really are,” an individual wrote.
“Why Dr Phil would torpedo his career for a losing campaign is beyond my realm of comprehension,” wrote another.
Exploring Dr Phil’s Trump rally speech
Over the weekend, Dr Phil appeared at the MSG for Donald Trump’s MAGA campaign rally, less than two weeks before the presidential election on November 5. Phil McGraw called Trump “tough as an old army boot” adding that he was there to “just stand up” for the Republican, despite him not needing him to “stand up for him.”
“He’s got lots of enemies, different groups that are scared, and between them, they have impeached him, indicted him, raided him, railroaded him, shot him and sued him. And where is he? He is still standing,” Dr Phil said about Trump.
The television personality further continued:
“I can be honest and say I don’t like or agree with everything that Donald J. Trump does or says. No human is perfect. We don’t strive for perfection. We strive for excellence… you don’t have to love everything about someone in order to love them, and the last thing he needs is some celebrity endorsement.”
McGraw went on to claim how Trump supporters were reportedly being “canceled, intimidated, marginalized, excluded or even fired or boycotted” by the opposition using “mob mentality” and the “power of the internet,” calling it “beyond ugly” and “not okay.”
The former clinical psychologist pointed out how in the USA there was an “imbalance of power” and urged everyone to unite to “close ranks,” “stop,” and “push back” against “cancel culture” and “intimidation tactics.”
Dr Phil refuted that Trump was a “bully” and said he was just “better” at debating than anyone else. In this regard, he also discussed the First Amendment.
“Our government has said we will pass no laws to infringe on our freedoms for religion and speech. So that’s the law, but we’re muzzling each other. What is going on? We have a law that protects free speech so we start taking it away from each other? Are you kidding me? We can’t allow that to happen,” the Oklahoma native mentioned.
The former Oprah Winfrey Show recurring guest even hinted that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris was chosen because of her complexion, and doubled down on Trump’s previous claims that she received help during interviews/ presidential debates from a couple of networks, including 60 Minutes.
Dr Phil wrapped up by saying how when celebrities like Beyonce, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, and Lizzo endorsed Harris, the media didn’t “criticize” them, but predicted that he would make headlines the next morning for his appearance at the Trump rally.
Notably, other notable personalities including Elon Musk, Hulk Hogan, and Dana White were present at Trump’s campaign rally on Sunday.
Politicians such as Republican Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance, Mike Johnson, Tucker Carlson, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Rudy Giuliani, and Scott LoBaido also attended the MAGA rally. Former First Lady Melania Trump also made a surprise appearance and introduced her husband.