Former U.S. President Donald Trump is demanding an investigation into the role of celebrities in Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, alleging that her team may have improperly paid public figures for their endorsements.
Trump, who won the 2024 election, made the claims on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating:
“Candidates are not allowed to PAY for ENDORSEMENTS, which Kamala did under the cover of paying for an entertainment program.”
He promised a “significant investigation” of what he called a campaign finance regulation breach.
Harris depended partly on the star power of such high-profile artists as Beyonce and Oprah Winfrey during her campaign to attract young voters and women. Winfrey was paid a seven-figure fee for hosting multiple Harris campaign rallies, according to reports—fees that included production and event costs, said her representatives.
There were also unconfirmed reports that Beyonce was given $10 million to make an appearance at a Harris rally, although the campaign has denied it forcefully.
Campaign Finance Documents Show Minimal Payments to Artists
The official reports of the Harris campaign show only one minor contribution that had any entertainment nexus: a $75 donation to an unknown environmental organization. There is no reported proof of celebrity payments beyond this.
Trump, whose candidacy received scant support from Hollywood, relied heavily on the online culture influencers and celebrities, such as podcast host Joe Rogan, to appeal to his followers.
On Monday, Trump also went after Harris for allegedly hiring rock star Bruce Springsteen to play at a campaign rally in Georgia. Trump called the performance “weak” and questioned why Springsteen accepted money if he is so vocal in advocating Democratic causes.
This was not the first time Trump had a shot at Springsteen. Trump had last week belittled the artist over comments made during a show in the UK, where Springsteen had described the current US government as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.” Trump had retorted, calling Springsteen “a wildly overrated musician.”
Post-Election Context
Trump’s statement comes after a disputed 2024 presidential election where Kamala Harris substituted the Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal for poor approval ratings and concerns over his health.
Harris, the former vice president, focused her campaign on mobilizing young people and women—inviting the entertainment industry to make a public campaign. However, Trump’s core has always viewed Hollywood stars as part of an out-of-touch elite who are out of touch with ordinary Americans.
