Oprah Winfrey slammed for conciliatory Donald Trump comments

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has come under fire for her conciliatory comments about President-elect Donald Trump. After TV images showed Barack Obama and Mr Trump talking amicably at the White House, Ms Winfrey had tweeted: “Everybody take a deep breath! Hope Lives!” She also told the Associated Press she thought Mr Trump had been “humbled” by winning the election. Many considered her comments to forgive Mr Trump, whose bitterly divisive campaign threatened Mexicans, Muslims and other minority groups, and a backlash began on social media.

‘Minority children are already being targeted’ “Please do not normalize this man,” tweeted actress June Diane Raphael. “Minority children are already being targeted.” Twitter user Albert Russell said of her comments: “Who trusts Oprah anyway? I never did. She’s a dandelion. Wherever the wind blows, she goes. Same with other hype chasers.” Ms Winfrey, a household name in the US, had endorsed Hillary Clinton for the presidency, saying in June her win would be a “seminal moment for women”.But her apparent speedy acceptance of Ms Clinton’s rival lost her some fans, some of whom indicated that Ms Winfrey would be insulated from any harmful Trump administration policies. “No Oprah we’re not going to take a deep breath, love you but with all due respect, the hatred that man has released won’t touch your life,” said Maxx Mahaffey. Another Twitter user said: “I don’t need Oprah telling me I can take a deep breath when this new administration supports cutting my job and firing me for who I date.” Not all celebrities have taken such an appeasing tone. Popstars Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Cher and Madonna and actors Mark Ruffalo and Alyssa Milano are among those who joined and encouraged protests against Mr Trump.