Woman caught up in Oprah’s DNC speech gaffe hits back after becoming the unwitting focus of chat show host’s rant at JD Vance’s comments
The woman who inadvertently became the focus of Oprah Winfrey’s tirade against JD Vance has responded to the gaffe, saying she is “disgusted” by the Republican vice presidential nominee’s dig at “childless cat ladies.”
Winfrey supported Vice President Kamala Harris at the DNC last night, when she referred to Vance’s resurgent criticism that the US is run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are unhappy with their own lives.”
The broadcast cut awkwardly to a bewildered woman – now identified as Maryland Delegate Teresa S.Woorman – right after Winfrey said the cat phrase.
Woorman has since acknowledged the gaffe, saying she’s “having a great time at the DNC” and found the whole encounter humorous. She also said she’s proud to be a “childless cat lady” and took the opportunity to take a dig at the Republican vice presidential nominee.
‘D**n right this childless cat lady is 100% disgusted with JD Vance in general and 100% behind @KamalaHarris and @GovTimWalz! I may be childless too but I hope it’s not a permanent condition thanks!’ she wrote.
Maryland Rep. Teresa S. Woorman, pictured at the DNC, has embraced inadvertently becoming the focus of Oprah Winfrey’s tirade against J.D. Vance
Winfrey supported Kamala Harris (left) at the DNC last night when she referenced Vance’s resurfaced criticism that the US was being run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are unhappy with their own lives.” The broadcast awkwardly cut to a bewildered woman (right) — now identified as Woorman — immediately after Winfrey delivered the catty line. The delegate quickly turned away as if to avoid the unfortunate timing
Winfrey, a longtime Chicago talk show host, picked up on one of the Democrats’ favorite themes last night, laughing at the way Vance once mocked “childless cat ladies” when arguing that Americans should have more children.
“If a house is on fire, we don’t ask the race or religion of the homeowners… We just try to do our best to save them,” she began. “And if the place happens to be owned by a childless cat lady. Well, we try to get that cat out, too.”
The camera then panned to the crowd and landed on Woorman, who coincidentally identifies herself as a “childless cat lady.”
“Funny enough, I was recently appointed to a legislative seat,” Woorman tweeted after the incident. “And I was sworn into the Maryland House of Representatives last week and I called myself a childless cat lady during my speech.”
She tagged both Winfrey and pop star Taylor Swift in her post, adding, “I’m in good company.”
Swift, who is expected to endorse the Harris-Walz campaign, is known as the proud cat mom of three cats: Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button.
Although Woorman seemingly embraced the attention, a wave of support for “childless cat ladies” emerged on social media after the delegate received unexpected attention at the conference.
“I screamed when the DNC switched to a random woman while Oprah made a comment about a ‘childless cat lady,'” wrote Buzzfeed’s Spencer Althouse. “I’m taking a cue from Wendy Williams’ cameraman, lol.”
Dale Tegman added: ‘Representation matters: justice for childless cat ladies. WE SEE YOU GIRL.’
“She’s like, ‘I know you’re not looking at me,’” another user wrote on X as the woman tried to turn away from the camera.
Another posted: ‘Oh my god I thought the same thing. Even the way the poor girl is turning around.’
Woorman has since admitted to the gaffe, making it clear that she “had a great time at the DNC” and found the whole encounter humorous.
Woorman tagged pop star Taylor Swift in her post and admitted she’s a “cat lady,” saying, “I’m in good company.” Swift, who is expected to lend her support to the Harris-Walz campaign, is known for being a proud cat mom to three cats
Social media has seen an outpouring of support for ‘childless cat ladies’ after the conference delegate received unexpected attention
Vance’s 2021 comment criticizing Harris and other “childless cat ladies” went viral on social media after he was chosen as former President Donald Trump’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election.
He told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that the US is run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are unhappy with their own lives and the choices they’ve made, and so they want to make the rest of the country unhappy too.”
“You look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC — the entire future of the Democrats is determined by people without children,” Trump’s new running mate continued.
‘How is it possible that we have handed over our country to people who actually have no direct interest in it?’
Vance responded to critics of his comments after they made headlines, claiming that those criticizing him were lying about what he said and even repeating what he meant.
“If you look at what the left has done, they have taken this radically out of context and even aggressively lied about what I said,” Vance told Fox News in late July.
“What I do think, and this goes to the heart of what I said in those comments three years ago, but what I will continue to talk about, is that the left is increasingly explicitly against children and families,” he continued.
Host Trey Gowdy pointed out to Vance that there have been many leaders without biological children, from George Washington to former Republican Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
“I think you will agree with me that direct descendants are not necessary to be fully involved in the future of this country,” Gowdy said.
“Of course not, Trey. I do think that parenthood has a profound effect on one’s perspective and we need to honor and respect that,” Vance said.
JD Vance’s old comment about ‘childless cat ladies’ like Kamala Harris has gone viral again as the couple faces scrutiny over the 2024 presidential election
“But there are a lot of people who, for various reasons, don’t have children. And they are certainly wonderful people who can fully participate in the life of this country.”
Legendary talk show host and philanthropist Winfrey made the comments a key part of her surprise appearance at the DNC.
Winfrey was added to the program late, but given her ties to Chicago and her past support for Democratic presidential candidates of color, her presence should have been expected.
The longtime public talk show host entered the United Center and shouted, “Who said you can’t go home!”
She said she was still a political “independent,” but she asked independents and undecided voters to support Harris.
“We’re past the ridiculous tweets, lies and foolishness,” she said, remarks clearly aimed at Trump. “These are complicated times and they require mature conversations.”
When she referred to Vance, she meant to say that “we are not that different from our neighbors.”
Despite criticism from her party, Winfrey told the crowd she still considers herself an “independent.”
“Now you have a certain candidate who says if we just go to the polls once, we never have to do it again,” she said. “You’re looking at a registered independent who is proud to vote over and over again because I’m an American and that’s what Americans do.”
Oprah Winfrey sang Vice President Kamala Harris’ name and lashed out at JD Vance during an appearance at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night.
Donald Trump (left) and Oprah Winfrey (right) are photographed together in 1988
“Voting is the best thing about America,” she said. “And I’ve always, ever since I was eligible to vote, I’ve always voted my values. So that’s what’s needed now more than ever in this election.”
“So I appeal to all independents and all doubters,” Winfrey added.
She encouraged them to vote for the Democratic Party because it stands for “decency and respect.”
“But above all, let’s choose freedom. Why? Because it’s the best thing about America,” Winfrey said. “We’re all Americans, and together, let’s choose Kamala Harrisssss,” she said in a sing-song voice.