Former President Donald Trump stirred controversy over the weekend by once again accusing the Democratic Party of illegally paying celebrities, including global superstar Beyoncé, to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election campaign.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump alleged that Beyoncé was given $11 million, while Oprah Winfrey and Al Sharpton also received large sums—despite previous fact-checks showing no evidence to support these claims.
Trump’s Latest Accusation on Social Media
Trump’s latest post accuses the Harris campaign of using unlawful funds to buy endorsements:
“Democrats paid Beyoncé Eleven Million Dollars for an ENDORSEMENT… Three Million Dollars to Oprah… $600,000 to Al Sharpton… This is illegal. They should all be prosecuted!”
He went on to call these payments a violation of campaign finance law and demanded legal action against all involved.
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What Really Happened with Beyoncé’s Endorsement?
Beyoncé did publicly support Kamala Harris at a Houston event in 2024, where she gave a speech promoting unity and voter participation. However, there is no evidence she was paid for the endorsement.
According to campaign finance filings, a $165,000 payment was made to Beyoncé’s production company, listed as “event production”—a legal and standard expenditure for campaign rallies.
Campaign Records Show No Illegal Payments
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) allows campaigns to cover production and logistics costs for events that include celebrity appearances. These expenses must be reported properly—which the Harris campaign has done.
Similarly, the campaign reportedly paid $1 million to Oprah’s Harpo Productions to cover staging and event management for a Michigan rally. Again, no direct payment for an endorsement has been documented.
Fact-Checkers Debunk the Allegations
Independent organizations including PolitiFact and FactCheck.org have reviewed these claims and confirmed that:
- There is no law prohibiting payment for event production
- There is no rule banning endorsements—paid or unpaid—as long as they’re disclosed
- There is no verified proof of direct cash payments for political support
Despite this, Trump continues to make these claims across public platforms.
Pattern of Political Distraction?
This isn’t the first time Trump has revived these accusations. He made similar posts in February and May 2025, often mentioning other stars such as Bruce Springsteen and Bono as supposed paid supporters of Harris.
Many analysts view the renewed attention as a tactic to divert from Trump’s ongoing legal and political challenges, including rising pressure over the release of Jeffrey Epstein files.
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Public Reaction & Legal Outlook
Legal experts have dismissed the claims, noting that event payments are standard campaign practice. The Harris campaign has not been charged with any wrongdoing, and no federal investigation has been launched regarding the endorsements in question.
Online, reactions were mixed—with some Trump supporters echoing the call for investigations, while others criticized the lack of evidence.
Final Take
Donald Trump’s repeated claims that celebrities like Beyoncé, Oprah, and Al Sharpton were paid millions for political endorsements have been debunked by official records and legal experts.
While celebrity involvement in campaigns often sparks debate, there is no indication that laws were broken or endorsements illegally secured. For now, the matter remains part of the former president’s ongoing narrative, with little factual support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did Beyoncé receive $11 million to support Kamala Harris?
No, there is no verified evidence that Beyoncé was paid $11 million for her endorsement. Official campaign filings show a payment of $165,000 to her production company for event-related costs, not personal compensation.
Is it legal for political campaigns to pay celebrities?
Yes. Under FEC guidelines, campaigns are allowed to cover the costs of events, including venue, staging, and production. While direct payment for endorsements must be disclosed, it is not illegal as long as it’s reported accurately.
Why did Donald Trump bring this up again?
Trump has repeatedly referenced the Beyoncé endorsement as part of a broader claim that the 2024 Democratic campaign illegally paid celebrities. However, these allegations have been refuted by campaign records and fact-checkers.
Was Oprah paid to support Kamala Harris?
Oprah’s Harpo Productions received a $1 million payment from the Harris campaign for producing an official campaign event. This was a legal and disclosed transaction related to logistics, not a direct fee for endorsement.
Did the Harris campaign break any campaign finance laws?
There is no public evidence of legal violations. All reported payments were disclosed to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in compliance with U.S. campaign finance law. No charges or investigations have been filed regarding these endorsements.
