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President-elect Donald Trump has taken aim at Vice President Kamala Harris and her high-profile celebrity endorsements, accusing Democrats of engaging in questionable practices to bolster her campaign. In a fiery post on Truth Social this Saturday, Trump claimed that Harris’s campaign paid significant sums to secure the support of celebrities such as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and MSNBC host Al Sharpton, calling the actions “totally against the law.”
“Are the Democrats allowed to pay $11,000,000, $2,000,000, and $500,000 to get the ENDORSEMENT of Beyoncé, Oprah, and Reverend Al? I don’t think so,” Trump wrote. He further criticized their involvement, claiming Beyoncé did not perform, Oprah contributed minimally, and Sharpton was merely a “third-rate Con Man.”
Both Beyoncé and Oprah actively campaigned with Harris during the 2024 presidential race. Oprah previously dismissed any claims of compensation, stating she “was not paid a dime” for appearing at a live-streamed event alongside Harris. However, campaign records indicate production fees for the event were covered by the Harris campaign.
Al Sharpton, a civil rights advocate and host of “PoliticsNation” on MSNBC, has also come under fire. According to a report by the Washington Free Beacon, the Harris campaign donated $500,000 to Sharpton’s National Action Network, a nonprofit advocacy group, just weeks before he interviewed her in October.
Shortly after the segment aired, Sharpton hosted a “get out the vote” rally for Harris, raising eyebrows about the potential overlap between campaign activities and nonprofit advocacy.
Responding to the controversy, MSNBC stated that it was unaware of any donations made by Harris’s campaign to Sharpton’s organization. “MSNBC was unaware of the donations made to the National Action Network,” a spokesperson told the Washington Free Beacon. The network declined to comment further, citing its policy of not discussing personnel matters.
Trump questioned the legality of these actions, alleging that such donations violate campaign finance laws. “So what is going on here??? Totally against the law, and I have heard there are many others!!!” he wrote on Truth Social, adding fuel to ongoing scrutiny over Harris’s campaign spending.
The allegations come as Harris’s campaign faces broader criticisms for its use of celebrity endorsements and media appearances. Trump has repeatedly accused her team of manipulating the media to her advantage.
During the campaign, he claimed that a CBS News interview with Harris was edited to improve her responses before airing, calling it an example of biased reporting.
Trump’s criticisms also reflect his broader disdain for celebrity involvement in politics, particularly when tied to Democratic campaigns. Throughout the 2024 presidential race, Harris relied on the star power of figures like Beyoncé and Oprah to energize voters.
Trump’s remarks suggest that he views these endorsements as orchestrated publicity stunts, rather than genuine political support.
Despite these high-profile endorsements, Harris ultimately lost the election to Trump, raising questions about the effectiveness of such celebrity backing. Analysts point to Trump’s strong performance among key demographics, including women over 45 and rural voters, as a significant factor in his victory.
The controversy surrounding Sharpton and the National Action Network further complicates Harris’s post-election narrative. While Sharpton has long been a prominent figure in civil rights and political activism, the timing of his interview with Harris and subsequent rally has drawn scrutiny.
Critics argue that such actions blur the line between nonprofit advocacy and partisan politics, potentially undermining public trust in both.
Trump’s outspoken criticism is likely to amplify calls for investigations into campaign finance practices, particularly regarding the role of nonprofits and media personalities in political campaigns. Whether these allegations will lead to any formal inquiries remains to be seen.
For now, Trump appears determined to use the controversy to highlight what he sees as systemic issues within Democratic campaign strategies, further solidifying his position as a polarizing figure in American politics.
