Dr. Mehmet Oz (Dr. Oz) was pushed into the public by Oprah Winfrey, who helped propel him to a desired status of universal name recognition across practically all U.S. households.
According to a new source, after a nearly 15-year relationship that has rewarded the good doctor with a net worth of $100 million, he has effectively told Oprah to kick rocks.
At least, it appears to be the sentiment expressed by a Republican U.S. Senate candidate running for office in Pennsylvania, who is attempting to increase his conservatism while avoiding any perceived guilt of Democratic affiliation by separating himself from the all-powerful media mogul.
Last week, Oz suggested as much at a New York City event attended by people, including noted conspiracy theorist and disgraced former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
According to the New York Post, Oz told the small group of Republicans there that he told Oprah to back off.
“I asked her to stay out,” Oz reportedly told attendees. “Don’t support me because if you get involved in any way, you’ll get hurt and I don’t want my friends hurt.”
Of course, Oprah has long been a supporter of Democratic candidates, and she has even flirted with the idea of running for president herself to take on Republican dictator Donald Trump, according to sources.
Former President Barack Obama and current Vice President Kamala Harris are among her close pals.
Those realities are unlikely to endear Oz to the Republicans he so desperately wants to be friends with, so he made it a point not only to beg Oprah “to stay out” of his campaign, but also to convince Republicans that the powerful Black lady had no place in his race (see what we did there?).
In light of what has happened, it’s also uncertain how Republicans feel about Oz’s Muslim faith.
Critics will most likely accuse Oz of being the latest in a long line of white males who have used Black people to gain power and fame before attempting to distance themselves from them.
Oz has been referred to be “Oprah’s protégé” who somehow became “Trump’s booster.”
Oz and Oprah have been friends since he initially appeared as a recognized medical expert on her successful talk show in 2004.
Oz endeared himself to Oprah’s audience and beyond after co-signing “America’s doctor,” and five years later he spawned his own eponymous show, which shows him in a capacity that goes far beyond delivering medical advice.
With Oz’s reputation as a “peddler of medical deception,” keeping Oprah out of the Senate campaign could possibly be mutually advantageous.
The last episode of “Dr. “Oz” is set to premiere on January 14, about two months after he announced his bid for President of the United States.
