Trump Demands Probe into Harris Campaign's Celebrity Endorsements
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Strongly Right-Leaning
Why: The article originates from the New York Post, known for its conservative editorial stance. The content predominantly features criticisms from Donald Trump and his campaign, with limited representation of counterarguments or responses from the Harris campaign.
Trump's Allegations
On May 19, 2025, President Donald Trump called for a "major investigation" into Kamala Harris's presidential campaign. He accused the campaign of unlawfully paying celebrities to perform at rallies and endorse her candidacy. Trump specifically mentioned Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and U2's Bono, questioning the legality of their involvement in Harris's campaign events.
Trump expressed his concerns on Truth Social, stating: "HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT? ... ISN'T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION?" He labeled the campaign as "a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL way to capitalize on a broken system."
Celebrity Participation in Harris's Campaign
Harris's campaign featured numerous high-profile celebrities. Performers included Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Jon Bon Jovi, 2 Chainz, and Mumford & Sons. These artists participated in campaign events, aiming to engage voters, particularly younger demographics.
Notably, Springsteen performed at an October rally at Temple University alongside former President Barack Obama. Beyoncé appeared with Harris in Houston, although she did not perform, leading to disappointment among some fans.
Financial Transactions and Campaign Denials
Reports indicated that Harris's campaign paid Oprah Winfrey's production company $1 million for a virtual town hall event. Additionally, Beyoncé's production company, Parkwood Production Media, received $165,000 from the campaign. Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network was reported to have received $500,000 before he interviewed Harris and hosted a voter mobilization event.
The Harris campaign has denied that these payments were for endorsements. Winfrey stated that her company was compensated for production services, not for her personal endorsement. Similarly, Beyoncé's team clarified that the payment was for production-related expenses.
Legal Framework and FEC Guidelines
According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), campaigns are required to pay fair market value for services, including performances at campaign events. However, there is no explicit prohibition against paid endorsements under current election laws. An FEC spokesperson noted that while campaigns must report expenditures, paying for endorsements is not inherently illegal.
Previous Accusations and Campaign Strategies
This is not the first time Trump has accused Harris's campaign of unethical practices. In December 2024, he alleged that the campaign paid celebrities millions for endorsements, citing figures like $11 million for Beyoncé and $2 million for Oprah. Both celebrities denied receiving such amounts for endorsements.
Furthermore, Harris's campaign strategy included recruiting approximately 5,000 social media influencers to promote her candidacy, particularly targeting swing states. While the campaign provided influencers with suggested talking points and access to events, it maintained that influencers were not paid for endorsements.
Outcome of the Election
Despite the extensive involvement of celebrities and influencers, Harris ultimately lost the 2024 presidential election. Trump secured a return to the White House, defeating Harris by a significant margin.
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