Amanda Gorman – ‘transfixed’ Anderson Cooper says poet, 22, should run for president in 2036 after inauguration reading
CNN host Anderson Cooper told poet Amanda Gorman that she should run for president in 2036 in an interview that left him speechless.
The TV host was visibly blown away by 22-year-old inauguration poet from Los Angeles.
Amanda, who read “The Hill We Climb“, made history as the youngest inaugural poet to take to the stage.
She revealed that she used a mantra to prepare herself for the biggest audience of her life so far.
Speaking on CNN, she said: “Whenever I perform — and I definitely did it this time — I close my eyes and I say ‘I’m the daughter of Black writers.
“We’re descended from freedom fighters who broke their chains and changed the world. They call me,” said Amanda.
Anderson was lost for words and struggled to respond to Amanda’s powerful words.
He eventually said: “Hmm… Wow … you are awesome. I am so transfixed.”
Anderson quizzed her over her meeting with Hilary Clinton, who suggested the young poet should run for presidency when she is legally old enough in 2036.
TRANSFIXED
He agreed with the Former United States Secretary of State, grinning: “President Gorman has a nice ring to it”.
“Yes it does, Madame President Gorman, I like the sound of it,” she replied
Cooper added: “I think a lot of people feel that way today. It is just so thrilling to see such a bright talent burst like a supernova, so thank you.”
She was approached to perform by the inaugural committee after Dr Jill Biden had heard a reading she gave at Library of Congress.
She followed in the footsteps of other celebrated poets who have read at presidential inaugurations such as Robert Frost and Maya Angelou.
Amanda made history as she was the youngest ever poet to have read at the inauguration with her 6 minute piece.
She said she was not given specific instructions on what to write, but was encouraged to emphasize unity and hope over “denigrating anyone” or declaring “ding, dong, the witch is dead” over the departure of President Donald Trump.
“The poem isn’t blind. [January 6] gave me a second wave of energy to finish the poem,” she told AP News in reference to the January 6 Capitol riots.
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“It isn’t turning your back to the evidence of discord and division.”
In other writings, Gorman has honored her Black ancestors, acknowledged and reveled in her own vulnerability.
