Oprah: Obama endures racial disrespect

Oprah Winfrey says there’s a “level of disrespect” toward President Obama in office. “In some cases, and maybe in many cases,” it could be due to his race, the media mogul admitted.

In an interview with the BBC this week to promote her film “The Butler,” BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz asked the former talk-show queen if it has ever crossed her mind “that some of the treatment of Obama, and the challenges he’s faced, and some of the reporting he’s received, is because he’s an African-American?”

{mosads}Winfrey, a staunch Obama supporter, said it has crossed her mind. “Just the level of disrespect. When the senator yelled out, ‘You’re a liar!’ Remember that?”

During a 2009 presidential address before Congress, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), shouted, “You lie!” during Obama’s remarks. He later apologized in a statement.

Winfrey, 59, is poised to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony next Wednesday at the White House.