U.S. President Donald Trump has called for a “major investigation” into 2024 election rival Kamala Harris, accusing her campaign of paying celebrities for endorsements under the guise of entertainment expenses. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump targeted high-profile figures including Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, and Bruce Springsteen, claiming the Harris campaign used underhanded tactics to boost her failed presidential bid.
“Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did,” Trump asserted, referencing a $1 million payment from the Harris campaign to Winfrey’s production company. Winfrey defended the payment, stating it covered production costs for her talk show appearance with Harris.
Trump further questioned allegations that Beyoncé received $10 million to perform at a Harris rally, a claim denied by Harris’s team. The campaign insists its financial disclosures are transparent, noting only a single $75 endorsement-related expenditure paid to an environmental advocacy group.
The president also singled out Bruce Springsteen, suggesting Harris paid him to perform at a campaign event in Georgia. “How much did Kamala Harris pay Bruce Springsteen for his poor performance during her campaign for president?” Trump posted. He then dismissed Springsteen as “Highly Overrated,” escalating an ongoing feud between the two. Just last week, Springsteen criticized Trump’s administration during a concert in the U.K., calling it “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous.”
Despite receiving minimal support from the mainstream entertainment industry, Trump has cultivated a loyal following among conservative and hypermasculine influencers, including podcast host Joe Rogan. Trump’s own campaign has largely relied on this base rather than traditional celebrity endorsements.
Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from his reelection bid. Though backed by numerous A-list celebrities, her campaign ultimately failed to gain traction with voters.
Trump’s demand for an investigation appears to be part of a broader strategy to question the legitimacy of his opponents and control the post-election narrative as he heads into his second term. The Harris campaign has yet to comment further on Trump’s latest allegations.
