When you think of Dr. Phil, you probably picture heartfelt advice, emotional breakthroughs, and daytime TV drama—not immigration raids. Yet, in a twist that caught many Americans off guard, Philip McGraw, better known as “Dr. Phil,” has stepped into a very different spotlight.
Recently, Dr. Phil joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on raids around Chicago, targeting individuals identified as “known criminals and terrorists.” For someone whose name has been synonymous with emotional support and self-help, this move has left many scratching their heads.
From Talk Show King to Immigration Crusader
Dr. Phil rose to fame on The Oprah Winfrey Show before hosting his own wildly popular talk show, Dr. Phil, for over two decades. But after wrapping up his CBS daytime show in 2023, McGraw made it clear he wasn’t retreating from the public eye. Instead, he expressed concerns about “the American family” and a desire to “restore clarity of purpose and core values.”
It wasn’t long before his stance on immigration took center stage. In a January 2023 episode of Dr. Phil, he shared his belief that U.S. immigration laws weren’t being effectively enforced. “We need to get our act together and do this the right way,” he told his audience.
A Dramatic Shift in Focus
Until last year, McGraw rarely, if ever, mentioned terms like “immigration,” “border,” or “ICE” in his public conversations. That changed dramatically in 2024. Alongside vocal support for Trump’s immigration policies on social media and at public events, McGraw launched a new media platform: Merit TV.
Marketed as a space for “common ground through clarity and common sense,” Merit TV promises to blend traditional family content with unbiased reporting on hot-button issues. Its affiliation with the Trinity Broadcasting Network, home to conservative figures like Mike Huckabee and Kirk Cameron, only underscores its ideological leanings.
Dr. Phil Meets Chicago’s Immigration Raids
This week in Chicago, Dr. Phil’s new path was on full display as he joined ICE agents during their operations. In one memorable exchange, a detainee recognized him.
“You’re Dr. Phil,” the man said, surprised.
“How do you know me?” McGraw asked.
“I’ve seen Dr. Phil on TV,” came the reply.
It’s a surreal moment—a beloved TV personality stepping into a high-stakes, highly controversial arena. But according to Robert Thompson, a professor and TV historian at Syracuse University, this kind of crossover shouldn’t come as a shock.
“Trump likes people who are good on TV, who are celebrities, and who are willing to align with him,” Thompson said. “Seeing Dr. Phil in the middle of these events might feel bizarre, but in today’s world, it’s not entirely unexpected.”
The Bigger Picture
Love him or hate him, Dr. Phil’s pivot is a reminder of how public figures can reinvent themselves in unexpected ways. Whether he’s seen as a champion of traditional values or a surprising player in a polarizing debate, one thing is certain—Dr. Phil is no longer just the king of daytime TV.
Now, he’s taking his message to the streets, one controversial moment at a time.
