Trump slams Harris' celebrity endorsements, questions legality of paying millions to Beyonce and Oprah
WASHINGTON, DC: President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris' use of celebrity endorsements during her campaign.
Trump alleged that Democrats paid millions of dollars to high-profile figures to back Harris publicly.
Donald Trump alleges Kamala Harris' campaign paid millions to celebrities
In a post on Saturday, December, 28, Donald Trump claimed celebrities like Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, and Al Sharpton were paid large sums to show support for Kamala Harris, raising questions about the legality of such payments.
"Are the Democrats allowed to pay $11,000,000, $2,000,000, and $500,000 to get the ENDORSEMENT of Beyonce, Oprah, and Reverend Al? I don’t think so," wrote Trump in his Truth Social post.
He also criticized their involvement, adding, "Beyonce didn’t sing, Oprah didn’t do much of anything (she called it 'expenses'), and Al is just a third rate Con Man," Trump wrote.
Oprah Winfrey and Beyonce denied receiving payments from Kamala Harris
Beyonce endorsed Kamala Harris and performed for her in Houston during the campaign. However, rumors circulated that she was paid $10 million for her appearance.
Beyonce’s mother, Tina Knowles addressed the claims, calling them false in November.
"It's called False Information," she wrote. "Sadly other platforms with a lack of integrity still have it up," said Knowles toward the end of her statement.
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Similarly, Oprah Winfrey denied receiving any payments, stating, she "was not paid a dime" to appear alongside Harris.
Campaign filings revealed $1 million was paid to Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, but the Harris campaign clarified that such payments were for ancillary costs tied to performances.
"We do not pay. We have never paid any artist and performer," a spokesperson for the Harris campaign said in November according to Adrienne Elrod, who served as senior adviser and senior spokesperson for the Harris campaign, reported Deadline.
Al Sharpton's nonprofit received donations before Kamala Harris' interview
Al Sharpton, a civil rights advocate and MSNBC host, interviewed Kamala Harris in October. He later held a get-out-the-vote rally for her, just days after the segment aired.
Reports by the Washington Free Beacon in November revealed Harris’ campaign donated $500,000 to Sharpton’s National Action Network weeks before the interview.
MSNBC stated it "was unaware of the donations made to the National Action Network," The Hill noted.
Trump questioned the legality of the donations, suggesting violations of campaign laws. "So what is going on here??? Totally against the law, and I have heard there are many others!!!" Trump wrote.
