On May 19, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump demanded a “thorough investigation” into celebrity involvement in Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.
Among the figures singled out are Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Oprah Winfrey and Bono, whom Trump accuses of receiving illegal payments disguised as production expenses to endorse Harris.
Trump’s accusations against Beyoncé and other celebrities
Through his Truth Social platform, Trump questioned the legality of the payments made to companies linked to these celebrities.
For example, he mentioned a $165,000 payment to Beyoncé’s production company and a $1 million payment to Oprah Winfrey’s company, suggesting that these funds were used to buy political support.
Trump also criticized Bruce Springsteen for his statements at campaign events, where he called the Trump administration “corrupt and incompetent.”
The president responded with personal insults and reiterated his call to investigate these endorsements.
“How much did Kamala Harris pay Bruce Springsteen for his bad performance during her presidential campaign? Why did he accept that money if he’s such a fan of hers? Isn’t that a major, illegal campaign contribution? What about Beyoncé? And how much went to Oprah (Winfrey) and Bono (U2 singer)?” the president wrote.
Harris campaign and celebrity response.
Kamala Harris’ campaign has adamantly denied paying celebrities for endorsements.
Adrienne Elrod, spokesperson for the campaign, stated that no artists were compensated for their support and that the payments made were to cover production costs, such as lighting and sound, in accordance with the law.
Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother, also denied Trump’s claims, assuring that her daughter was not paid for her participation in a rally in Houston and that she even covered her own travel and production expenses.
Legality of celebrity endorsements
According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), campaigns may pay for event-related services, as long as they are properly reported and do not constitute illegal contributions.
There is no evidence that the Harris campaign violated these regulations.
Beyoncé and Taylor Swift were the most popular singers who supported Kamala Harris for the presidency, but unfortunately, their support did not help the Democrat
Implications for Hispanic voters in the U.S.
Buzzy
For the U.S. Hispanic community, this debate highlights the importance of transparency in political campaigns and the role of celebrities in influencing public opinion.
It is essential that voters are informed about the sources of campaign financing and the motivations behind public endorsements.
Donald Trump’s accusations have sparked a debate about the influence of celebrities in politics and the legality of their endorsements.
To date, no concrete evidence of wrongdoing by the Kamala Harris campaign has been presented. This issue is likely to continue to be a topic of discussion in the U.S. political landscape.
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