Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again repeated a false allegation that Beyoncé was paid $11 million to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2024 campaign. Trump’s latest remarks came in a Truth Social post on Saturday, where he also targeted Oprah Winfrey and Al Sharpton, calling for their prosecution.
Trump’s Allegations on Truth Social
In his social media post, Trump claimed that Democrats “illegally” paid celebrities, including Beyoncé, to publicly endorse Harris during the campaign trail:
“I’m looking at the large amount of money owed by the Democrats, after the Presidential Election, and the fact that they admit to paying, probably illegally, Eleven Million Dollars to singer Beyoncé for an ENDORSEMENT… Kamala, and all of those that received Endorsement money, BROKE THE LAW. They should all be prosecuted!”
Trump also alleged that Oprah received $3 million in “expenses” and Sharpton $600,000, though he offered no credible evidence to support these claims.
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What Actually Happened at Beyoncé’s Rally
Beyoncé, a 35-time Grammy Award winner, endorsed Harris during a rally in Houston last October. During her speech, she delivered a powerful call for unity:
“It’s time to sing a new song, a song that began 248 years ago… Our voices sing a chorus of unity. They sing a song of dignity and opportunity.”
While Beyoncé’s production company did receive payments for event-related expenses, campaign finance filings do not support Trump’s $11 million claim.
What Campaign Records Show
According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) disclosures, the Harris campaign reported a $165,000 payment to Beyoncé’s production company, categorized as “campaign event production.” This expenditure, verified by CNN and other outlets, reflects costs for staging and logistics—not an endorsement fee.
Similarly, Oprah’s Harpo Productions was paid $1 million for the production of her “Unite for America” event in Michigan. Adrienne Elrod, a senior spokesperson for the Harris campaign, clarified last year:
“The campaign did not pay any celebrity endorsers. We are required by campaign finance law to cover event costs, which explains the listed expenditures.”
Fact-Checkers Have Debunked Trump’s Claims
Independent fact-checking organizations, including FactCheck.org and PolitiFact, have repeatedly confirmed that Trump’s allegations are baseless. There is no evidence that endorsements from Beyoncé, Oprah, or Al Sharpton involved direct payments for support.
Furthermore, FEC regulations do not prohibit campaigns from paying for event production or costs associated with hosting endorsers. What they do require is transparency in financial disclosures, which the Harris campaign has complied with.
Trump’s Pattern of Repeating Allegations
This is not the first time Trump has raised this issue. He previously made similar accusations in February and May, naming other celebrities like Bruce Springsteen and Bono, while calling for “major investigations” into their campaign involvement.
Political analysts note that these claims resurface as Trump faces increased scrutiny over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and ongoing legal battles, leading some to view his remarks as a distraction tactic.
The Bigger Picture
While Trump’s comments have stirred conversation online, legal experts emphasize that celebrity endorsements are a standard feature of modern campaigns and that event-related payments do not equate to illegal endorsements.
With Harris gearing up for the next election cycle, and Beyoncé continuing to use her platform for voter engagement, the controversy highlights how celebrity influence remains a point of tension in U.S. politics.
Final Word
Donald Trump’s renewed claims about Beyoncé’s alleged $11 million endorsement payment have been factually disproven and lack legal basis. Official records confirm that the payments reported were standard event costs, fully disclosed in compliance with campaign finance laws.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did Beyoncé endorse Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign?
Yes, Beyoncé appeared at a campaign event in Houston in October 2024 and publicly endorsed Kamala Harris, delivering a speech calling for unity and civic engagement.
Was Beyoncé paid $11 million to endorse Kamala Harris?
No, there is no evidence that Beyoncé was paid $11 million for her endorsement. Federal campaign records show a $165,000 payment to her production company for event production costs, not for the endorsement itself.
Are political campaigns allowed to pay celebrities for endorsements?
Yes, campaigns can pay for event-related expenses, including production and staging. While direct payment for endorsements must be disclosed, it is not illegal under Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules—as long as reporting is transparent.
What did Donald Trump claim about Beyoncé and Kamala Harris?
Trump claimed on Truth Social that Beyoncé was illegally paid $11 million to endorse Kamala Harris and called for prosecutions of Beyoncé, Oprah, and Al Sharpton. These claims have been fact-checked and debunked by multiple independent sources.
Did the Harris campaign pay Oprah and Al Sharpton?
According to official records, Oprah’s Harpo Productions was paid $1 million for event production costs. There is no verified record of any direct payment to Al Sharpton for endorsement purposes.
Have these claims been fact-checked before?
Yes, organizations such as FactCheck.org and PolitiFact have reviewed Trump’s allegations in 2024 and 2025. They found no evidence of illegal payments or misclassified campaign expenses.
