Trump Alleges Illegal Celebrity Payments in Democratic 2024 Campaign

President Donald Trump has accused the Democratic 2024 Kamala Harris campaign of illegally paying celebrities such as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Al Sharpton millions of dollars in exchange for endorsements, claiming these payments were misreported and violated federal law. Trump specifically alleged Beyoncé received $11 million, Oprah $3 million, and Sharpton $600,000, calling for prosecutions of those involved. However, a review of Federal Election Commission records and statements from the Harris campaign, Beyoncé's representatives, and Oprah confirm that the payments were legitimate reimbursements to production companies for event costs, not direct payments for endorsements. Campaign finance experts clarify that paying for endorsements is not prohibited under U.S. law if properly reported, and no evidence supports Trump's claims of illegal activity. Both Beyoncé’s mother and Oprah have publicly denied receiving payments for endorsements, and fact-check organizations have debunked the allegations. The Harris campaign has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, emphasizing transparency and adherence to campaign finance regulations.