Trump also alleged Oprah Winfrey received \$3 million and Rev. Al Sharpton \$600,000 to publicly support Harris. “They were paid to do absolutely nothing,” Trump wrote. “YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL.”
The president offered no evidence for his claims, which Newsweek and other outlets have reported as unsubstantiated. He stated the payments were misreported in campaign filings and called for criminal prosecution.
Kamala Harris’ campaign has denied these accusations. A spokesperson dismissed the claim that Beyoncé was paid \$10 million, a figure that circulated online after the artist appeared at an October 2024 rally. During the event, Beyoncé stated: “I’m not here as a celebrity… I’m here as a mother who cares deeply about our future.”
Federal Election Commission records do not show an \$11 million payment to Beyoncé. However, a \$165,000 payment was made to her media company, Parkwood Entertainment. Additionally, Sharpton’s National Action Network reportedly received \$500,000, and Oprah’s Harpo Productions \$1 million—for organizing a livestreamed campaign event in Michigan.
So far, the White House has not announced any investigation or legal response to the allegations.
While Trump’s post has stirred political debate, no official agency has confirmed wrongdoing by Harris or the celebrities named. As of now, the accusations remain unproven, and the campaign finance records contradict the president’s most dramatic claims.
