Trump urges probe into Harris' celebrity endorsement payments
Former President Donald Trump is calling for a sweeping inquiry into 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris' campaign, alleging it made improper payments to celebrities in exchange for endorsements.
As reported by Newsmax, Trump claims the Harris campaign improperly compensated entertainers like Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Bono under the guise of performance appearances while securing celebrity endorsements.
The allegations first surfaced early Monday morning when Trump took to Truth Social, a platform he frequently uses to issue political statements. In his post, he questioned how much money Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah, and Bono received for their involvement in events hosted by Harris's campaign.
He accused Harris of making unlawful campaign payments by disguising endorsement fees as costs for entertainment. Trump stated the intent behind these alleged transactions was to enhance public perception of Harris' support, particularly by making rallies appear more popular than they truly were.
“How much did Kamala Harris pay Bruce Springsteen for his poor performance during her campaign for president?” Trump wrote in the post. He further asked readers to question why any payments were made if these figures were already supporters of Harris politically.
Trump targets Beyoncé and rally crowd sizes
In a follow-up message later that same morning, Trump singled out Beyoncé, alleging that she was paid $11 million to make a brief appearance. According to Trump, after quickly endorsing Harris and leaving without singing, the music star was booed by attendees expecting a performance.
He characterized the alleged appearance as both expensive and misleading, stating the move was designed purely to boost the size of Harris’s rally audiences and suggest stronger public enthusiasm for her campaign than actually existed. “In addition, this was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds,” he posted.
Trump also claimed that other artists, including Oprah and Bono, were similarly paid for endorsements that appeared as concerts. He listed all four celebrities in his posts and questioned whether paying well-known public figures to offer campaign support is ethical or legal under election law.
Allegations expand into campaign finance concerns
Trump stated explicitly that these payments, if confirmed, would count as illegal campaign contributions. He accused the Harris campaign of bypassing standard election rules by concealing endorsement fees under event budgets labeled as entertainment.
“Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for endorsements, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment,” Trump said in one of his Truth Social messages.
He referred to the situation as a high-level election scam, describing the practices as corrupt and calling for immediate accountability. “Bruce Springsteen, Oprah, Bono and, perhaps, many others, have a lot of explaining to do,” he wrote in a separate post.
No evidence released to support Trump’s claims
As of this report, Trump has not provided evidence to validate his accusations. There have been no detailed disclosures regarding payments made by the Harris campaign to any of the celebrities listed.
Additionally, neither Kamala Harris' campaign officials nor the celebrities named in the allegations have made public statements responding to Trump’s claims. The article relies solely on Trump’s public assertions made through social media posts.
While Trump previously voiced criticism of Harris during campaign rallies broadcast on Newsmax, his demand for an official investigation marks a more forceful approach. He has described the situation as an “illegal election scam at the highest level.”
Legal and political implications remain unclear
If proven, intentional mischaracterization of campaign expenditures could lead to campaign finance violations. However, without publicly available evidence of wrongdoing, it's unclear how election authorities or legal entities may respond. Trump’s latest posts have been widely shared among his supporters online, while the Harris campaign has yet to respond. The situation underscores how celebrity support in political campaigns can spark controversy over issues of transparency and influence.





