Former President Donald Trump is calling for an investigation into celebrity endorsements for Kamala Harris during the 2024 election.
He claims several celebrities were illegally paid to support Harris, though he offers no proof for these allegations.
Trump Targets Oprah, Beyoncé, and Springsteen
Trump named Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, and Bruce Springsteen as examples of celebrities he believes were paid for support.
He accused the Harris campaign of hiding endorsement payments as “event entertainment” costs.
Experts: No Law Against Paid Endorsements
Campaign law experts disagree with Trump’s claims. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) does not ban paying celebrities for campaign events or support.
Such payments are legal if properly reported in campaign finance records. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversees disclosure rules for paid endorsements.
Harris Campaign Disclosures Show Legal Payments
Records show Harris’s team paid Oprah’s Harpo Productions $1 million in October 2024. The payment came a month after Oprah interviewed Harris at a campaign event.
Oprah stated on social media that she received no personal fee. She explained the money covered staff and event production.
Beyoncé’s Mother Denies Payment Claims
Beyoncé’s company, Parkwood Production Media, was paid $165,000 in November 2024. The payment followed her appearance at a campaign rally in Houston.
Her mother, Tina Knowles, said Beyoncé was not paid for her endorsement. She also said Beyoncé covered her own travel costs.
Springsteen’s Company Paid for Services
Springsteen’s company, Thrill Hill Productions, received $75,000 in November 2024. The payment was for travel and event production linked to a Harris rally in Georgia. Springsteen has not commented publicly.
Harris Campaign: No One Paid for Endorsements
Adrienne Elrod, a top adviser for Harris, dismissed Trump’s claims last year.
“We’ve never paid anyone for an endorsement,” she told Deadline. She said the campaign only covered production costs, as required by law.
No Similar Payments Found in Trump’s Campaign
ABC News found no records of the Trump campaign paying entertainers. Country singer Lee Greenwood performed at Trump rallies and said he was never paid.
“I did it because I support him,” Greenwood said in a November social media post.
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