President Donald Trump charged pop sensation Beyoncé and other celebrities with unlawfully accepting millions of dollars to support Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in a scathing Truth Social post. He asserted that Beyoncé received approximately $11 million to make a fleeting appearance at a rally, support Harris, and then leave without performing, which caused the crowd to jeer. Additionally, Trump claimed that Rev. Al Sharpton received \$600,000 and Oprah Winfrey received \$3 million for publicly endorsing Harris. Trump wrote, “They were paid to do nothing at all.” “Paying for an endorsement is not permitted. It’s completely illegal.
Newsweek and other outlets have reported the president’s claims as unsubstantiated, and he provided no evidence to support them. He demanded criminal prosecution and claimed the payments were misreported in campaign filings. These charges have been refuted by Kamala Harris’ campaign. A spokesperson denied the rumor that Beyoncé received ~$10 million, which went viral on the internet following her appearance at a rally in October 2024. Beyoncé said at the event: “I’m not here as a celebrity. As a mother who genuinely cares about our future, I am here.
Records from the Federal Election Commission do not indicate that Beyoncé was paid approximately $11 million. However, her media company, Parkwood Entertainment, received a payment of approximately $165,000. Additionally, it was reported that Oprah’s Harpo Productions received ~$1 million and Sharpton’s National Action Network received \$500,000 for planning a livestreamed campaign event in Michigan. The White House has not yet disclosed any legal action or investigation into the claims.
Although Trump’s post has sparked political controversy, neither Harris nor the other celebrities have been accused of any wrongdoing by any official agency. The accusations have not yet been proven, and the president’s most dramatic claims are contradicted by the campaign finance records.