Dr. Phil McGraw, known more for his daytime TV antics than political savvy, made an eyebrow-raising appearance at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on October 27.
A familiar face for millions, McGraw’s outspoken moment might seem out of place to many—but according to the man himself, this wasn’t about backing Trump. Instead, he claims it was a “rebellion” against Kamala Harris’s team, which he says ignored his repeated requests for a conversation, as reported by AV Club [1].
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Dr Phil endorses Trump; slams woke DEI.
“This country was built on hard work, added value and talent… not on DEI.”
pic.twitter.com/rqK6zNzEe8 [2]
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) October 27, 2024 [3]
For a personality accustomed to addressing everything from teen angst to family disputes, McGraw’s foray into politics came as a surprise to his audience.
“I requested 25-plus times to speak to Kamala Harris,” he shared during a recent interview with Piers Morgan, expressing frustration that Harris’s team left him hanging. In his words, he chose to appear at Trump’s rally “as an act of rebellion” after his calls to Harris went unanswered.
“Never got so much as a yes, no, maybe.”
Dr Phil tells Piers Morgan he got “crickets” from Kamala Harris after offering to make his speech at her rally.
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https://t.co/OHrNqVko1C [4]@DrPhil [5] | @piersmorgan [6] pic.twitter.com/WsUDRruFjN [7]
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 5, 2024 [8]
This decision, however, led many to wonder if he was endorsing Trump or just voicing a grievance.
McGraw insists he wasn’t at the rally to endorse Trump. “I don’t like celebrity endorsements,” he claimed, adding that he’s no fan of one-sided media coverage.
He criticized the media’s lack of criticism when celebrities like Beyoncé, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, and Lizzo support Harris, saying, “I guarantee you, when those stars come out for Kamala Harris, there’s no backlash. But you watch what happens tomorrow morning when people find out I came here to talk to you.”
Although his words struck a chord with the rally crowd, McGraw was quick to clarify he’d have given the same speech at a Harris rally, provided she gave him the chance.
“Tell me when and where to be, and I’ll bring the transcript,” he said, adding he received another brief acknowledgment from Harris’s team after the rally, only to be ghosted once more. Despite the initial hype, Harris’s side has remained silent.
Notably, McGraw’s rally remarks aligned with a conservative critique of “cancel culture,” celebrity bias, and what he views as a lack of respect for differing opinions.
These points have long been touchstones in conservative circles and were met with loud applause from the crowd. But his critics argue that for someone who claims to dislike endorsements, his choice of venue couldn’t help but look like support for Trump.
McGraw’s defiance may have raised eyebrows, but he stands firm. “I don’t back off what I said one iota,” he told Morgan. His comments reveal his growing frustration with what he views as Hollywood’s selective outrage and endorsement culture.