Trump Orders Investigation Into Kamala Harris’s Celebrity Endorsements
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to launch a formal investigation into Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, focusing on allegations that she improperly paid celebrities for endorsements.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, stating that candidates are not allowed to pay for endorsements under the guise of entertainment. He specifically called out high-profile figures such as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Bruce Springsteen, questioning whether Harris’s campaign financially compensated them for their public support.
Winfrey defended a $1 million payment made by the Harris campaign to her production company, explaining that it covered costs related to her hosting duties for the candidate. Meanwhile, Harris’s team strongly denied rumors that the campaign paid Beyoncé $10 million to appear at a rally.
Financial disclosures from Harris’s campaign reported only a single endorsement-related expense of $75 made to an environmental advocacy group. Trump, who comfortably won the election, received limited support from mainstream entertainment but aligned with a niche group of influential hypermasculine figures, including podcast host Joe Rogan.
The investigation comes amid ongoing political tensions, with Trump continuing to criticize Harris’s campaign strategies. His announcement has sparked debate over the role of celebrity endorsements in political campaigns and whether stricter regulations should be enforced.