Flashback: Oprah Winfrey once called Trump a ‘folk hero,' a contrast to comments made during the DNC

In a 1988 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the celebrity talk show host appeared to be amazed at Americans’ "fascination" with Donald Trump and even described him as a "folk hero" for being so popular.

"Various celebrities in New York, because it was the opening concert in New York, and there were all kinds of celebrities – very, very famous people coming in to be seated. When you were seated, you got the loudest applause. People stood up and roared and cheered when you walked in," Winfrey said during the interview. "Why is that? What is this fascination?"

"I don’t know, maybe I should be a rockstar," Trump replied.

"They thought you were going to moonwalk," Oprah quipped.

After Trump pondered his popularity with Oprah, she also referred to him as a "folk hero."

The unearthed interview came to light a day after Winfrey made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, during which she railed against Trump, her former friend.

OPRAH WINFREY MAKES SURPRISE DNC APPEARANCE TO RAIL AGAINST MAN SHE ONCE CONSIDERED RUNNING FOR OFFICE WITH

"We know all the old tricks and tropes that are designed to distract us from what actually matters," Winfrey told those gathered at Chicago’s United Center. "But we are beyond ridiculous tweets and lies and foolery. These are complicated times, people, and they require adult conversation. And I welcome those conversations because civilized debate is vital to democracy, and it is the best of America."

Winfrey also took aim at comments Trump made last month, when he told supporters they "won’t have to vote anymore" if they elect him because he will fix all their problems.

"Now, there's a certain candidate that says if we just go to the polls this one time, that we'll never