As the Trump administration’s immigration raids ramped up across America, many people were stunned to see a former daytime TV staple take center stage — Phil McGraw, commonly known as “Dr. Phil,” who accompanied immigration agents during raids around Chicago.
McGraw, who came to national fame alongside Oprah Winfrey and hosted “Dr. Phil” for more than two decades, said he had embedded with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as they apprehended “known criminals and terrorists.”
McGraw in the past year has become a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump’s immigration positions, discussing his views on TV, podcasts and social media and even at a Trump rally.
In a statement when he ended his CBS daytime show in 2023, McGraw said that he had “grave concerns for the American family” and that he was “determined to help restore a clarity of purpose as well as our core values.”
He offered a glimpse into his views on immigration during a “Dr. Phil” show in January 2023. That’s when he told his guests and the audience that he believed U.S. immigration laws were not being properly enforced and that “we can’t get our act together by doing this the right way.”
But before last year, McGraw did not appear to have ever used terms such as “illegal,” “border,” “immigration” or “ICE” in his social media content.
That all changed in 2024.
Dr. Phil’s words on immigration
- Dec. 5, 2024: The Pinal County, Arizona, sheriff posted a “thankful” message to McGraw for bringing “attention to the current crisis on our southern border.” McGraw and Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, had visited local officials in Arizona to discuss immigration.
- Dec. 4: On McGraw’s podcast, Homan said hard-line actions are necessary to secure the border, with McGraw adding, “It’s going to be my honor to help you do it.”
- Oct. 28: McGraw posted a piece about the “smugglers’ highway” in Pinal County.
- Aug. 27: Trump appeared on McGraw’s Merit TV show, saying recent immigrants were “terrorists” released from South American and African jails.
- July 25: McGraw profiled the death of 10-year-old Alex Wise, who was allegedly “killed by an illegal migrant who had been deported five times.” ICE arrested and detained a suspect in the hit-and-run crash because he had been deported previously, officials said.
- April 11: McGraw wrote on X “America, we’ve got issues at our border. I went to the border to see this crisis firsthand and I’ve learned it’s even worse than I had imagined.”
- Feb. 26: McGraw went on “The View” to claim that young migrants were being forced into unspeakable conditions on this side of the border as “we are using American tax dollars into known prostitution and sweatshops.”
- Feb. 5: McGraw told Fox News that Chinese immigrants were stealing agricultural secrets and sending the information back home.
- Feb. 2: McGraw posted a picture of himself with armed forces with the caption “at the border today with the men and women protecting our country.”
As he was becoming more vocal about immigration, McGraw launched his new media venture.
Merit TV — which has a direct streaming option, as well as spots on DirectTV, Spectrum and other linear providers — launched 10 months ago, claiming to seek “common ground through clarity and common sense, providing traditional family content while also disrupting the news landscape with unbiased reporting on issues that mattter most to Americans.”
Merit TV is also affiliated with the Trinity Broadcasting Network, which carries programming from well-known conservatives like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and child star-turned-social conservative Kirk Cameron.
But it was the name recognition McGraw built on his daytime talk show that was apparent in Chicago this week.
In one scene from the raids, a man being detained by ICE told McGraw, “You’re Dr. Phil.”
“How do you know me?” McGraw responded.
“I’ve seen ‘Dr. Phil’ on TV,” the man answered.
The notion of a TV figure popping up in such an out-of-context situation in regard to Trump and his policies should not surprise anyone, Syracuse University professor and TV historian Robert Thompson said.
“He likes people who are good on TV, who have been on TV, who are celebrities and who are willing to play with him, and ‘Dr. Phil,’ of course, has been on TV for a long time,” Thompson said.
“I guess seeing ‘Dr. Phil’ pop up in the center of one of these major events in the first couple of weeks of operations, it’d be surprising in any normal circumstances. But it’s not surprising in the real circumstances of today,” he said.
Samira Puskar contributed.
Dr. Phil, well-known TV psychologist and host of the popular daytime talk show, has recently made headlines for his outspoken views on immigration. While he has never shied away from controversial topics, his sudden focus on this particular issue has caught many by surprise.
In a recent interview, Dr. Phil explained that his interest in immigration stems from his belief in the importance of compassion and understanding towards those who are seeking a better life. He has spoken out against the current administration’s policies and rhetoric surrounding immigration, arguing that they are dehumanizing and harmful.
Dr. Phil’s outspokenness on this topic has sparked some backlash from those who disagree with his views. However, he remains undeterred, using his platform to advocate for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to immigration.
Whether you agree with his views or not, there is no denying that Dr. Phil’s sudden focus on immigration has sparked an important conversation about a complex and divisive issue. Love him or hate him, Dr. Phil’s voice is one that cannot be ignored.
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Dr. Phil, immigration, outspoken, Dr. Phil show, immigration controversy, Dr. Phil immigration stance, immigration debate, Dr. Phil opinions, celebrity opinions on immigration
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