President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of former Vice President Kamala Harris by demanding criminal prosecution over alleged payments to celebrities during the 2024 presidential campaign. The accusations center on millions of dollars that Trump claims were illegally paid to secure high-profile endorsements.

In a Saturday Truth Social post, Trump called for Harris to face charges alongside three prominent figures: Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey and Al Sharpton. The president characterized the payments as fraudulent campaign finance violations that warrant immediate legal action.

The controversy stems from financial records showing substantial payments from Harris‘ campaign to production companies and organizations associated with the celebrities. These transactions have become a focal point for Trump’s ongoing criticism of his former electoral opponent.

Campaign payment details emerge

Financial disclosures reveal that Harris’ campaign made significant payments to entities connected with the three celebrities during the final months of the 2024 race. Beyoncé’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, received over $165,000 for her appearance at a Houston rally in late October.

Oprah Winfrey’s media company, Harpo Productions, was paid $1 million for organizing and producing a live-streamed campaign event featuring the media mogul. The payment covered production costs and technical expenses for the widely-viewed online appearance.

Al Sharpton’s National Action Network received $500,000 from the Harris campaign during the election cycle. The civil rights organization has historically supported Democratic candidates and causes.

All three celebrities have previously endorsed Democratic presidential candidates in multiple election cycles, making their support of Harris consistent with their past political involvement.

Trump’s allegations intensify

The president’s latest accusations represent an escalation of claims he has made since December 2024. In his Truth Social post, Trump alleged that politicians paying for endorsements constitutes illegal campaign activity that could destabilize the entire electoral system.

Trump provided specific dollar amounts in his social media criticism, claiming Harris paid $11 million to Beyoncé, $3 million to Oprah, and $600,000 to Sharpton. The source of these figures remains unclear, as they differ significantly from documented payment amounts.

The president’s post criticized the celebrities’ performances at campaign events, particularly noting that Beyoncé did not sing during her Houston appearance. Trump characterized the audience reaction as negative, though this description contradicts media reports from the event.

Celebrity responses and denials

The celebrities and their representatives have consistently denied receiving payment for their political endorsements. Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, publicly rejected reports suggesting her daughter received millions for campaign appearances.

Oprah Winfrey has stated clearly that she received no personal compensation for her campaign involvement. The media executive explained that her production company was reimbursed for legitimate expenses related to organizing and producing the campaign event.

Representatives for Al Sharpton have not provided detailed responses to the payment allegations, though the civil rights leader has historically supported Democratic candidates without disclosed compensation.

Legal and political implications

Campaign finance law experts note that paying for celebrity appearances and production services differs significantly from paying for endorsements. Legitimate campaign expenses for events, production costs, and organizational fees fall within standard campaign finance practices.

The distinction between paying for services versus paying for endorsements becomes crucial in determining whether any legal violations occurred. Federal election law prohibits certain types of payment arrangements but allows campaigns to cover legitimate expenses for events and appearances.

Trump’s calls for prosecution represent a significant escalation in post-election political rhetoric. The president’s demands for criminal charges against his former opponent and prominent entertainment figures mark an unusual approach to campaign finance disputes.

Historical context and precedent

Political campaigns routinely pay for celebrity appearance costs, venue rentals, production services, and event organization. These expenses represent standard campaign operations rather than illegal endorsement payments.

Previous presidential campaigns have faced similar scrutiny over celebrity involvement and associated costs. The practice of covering appearance expenses while receiving unpaid endorsements has generally been considered acceptable under federal election law.

The current controversy highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and Harris following their 2024 electoral contest. Trump’s persistent criticism of his opponent’s campaign practices continues despite his electoral victory.

Moving forward

The allegations come as Trump focuses on his presidential agenda during a diplomatic visit to the United Kingdom. The timing of his social media posts suggests continued attention to 2024 campaign issues despite his current focus on governing.

Harris’ representatives have not responded to the latest round of accusations, maintaining their previous position that all payments were for legitimate campaign services rather than endorsement compensation.

The controversy reflects broader questions about celebrity involvement in political campaigns and the intersection of entertainment industry support with electoral politics. As political campaigns increasingly rely on celebrity endorsements and appearances, the financial arrangements behind these relationships continue drawing scrutiny from opponents and regulators alike.

President Donald Trump again accused former Vice President Kamala Harris of paying celebrities to endorse her during the presidential race and said they all should be prosecuted.

The claim, for which he offered no evidence, previously has been denied by the celebrities and comes amid a flurry of accusations the president has made in the past few weeks as he faces scrutiny over his ties to the late sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein.

“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 (she never sang, not one note, and left the stage to a booing and angry audience!), Three Million Dollars for ‘expenses,’ to Oprah, Six Hundred Thousand Dollars to very low rated TV ‘anchor,’ Al Sharpton (a total lightweight!), and others to be named for doing, absolutely NOTHING!” Trump wrote Saturday night on Truth Social.

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He continued: “These ridiculous fees were incorrectly stated in the books and records. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO. Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them. All hell would break out! Kamala, and all of those that received Endorsement money, BROKE THE LAW. They should all be prosecuted! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

It’s unclear how Trump got his numbers, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Harris campaign previously denied paying for endorsements. Even if she had, the Federal Election Commission has no rules against candidates paying for endorsements as long as they disclose them, campaign law experts told ABC News in May. The FEC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the newest allegations from Trump.

In 2024, Harris’ campaign paid Beyoncé’s production company $165,000 for her October appearance at a Houston rally, where Beyoncé did not sing but instead gave a speech in support of Harris. Harris’ campaign also paid $1 million to Oprah Winfrey’s production company for a livestream event Winfrey helped produce in Michigan.

Winfrey told paparazzi that she was “paid nothing, ever” for the event.

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“I did not take any personal fee,” she later wrote in an Instagram comment. “However the people who worked on that production needed to be paid. And were. End of story.”

FEC rules require candidates to pay the market value “for any ancillary costs” associated with these events, Adrienne Elrod, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, told Deadline in November.

Harris’ campaign also sent $500,000 to Sharpton’s National Action Network before Sharpton interviewed Harris on MSNBC.

Harris’ team did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Trump’s latest accusations.

Trump has been on the attack since the start of the month, when the Justice Department announced that his former friend Epstein did not have a “client list,” even though Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this year said those documents were “sitting on my desk” for review.

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In that time, Trump has called for the Washington Commanders to change their name, claimed that Coca-Cola was changing its formula because of him and accused former President Barack Obama of treason.

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President Trump demanded that former Vice President Kamala Harris be prosecuted along with Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey and Al Sharpton — for fees that were paid to the stars during the 2024 election.

Trump claimed that the stars were paid millions of dollars by Harris’ campaign for appearances — and that the money amounted to illegal payments to endorse Harris’ failed presidential bid.

“I’m looking at the large amount of money owed by the Democrats, after the Presidential Election,” Trump began on Truth Social Saturday. “These ridiculous fees were incorrectly stated in the books and records. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO.”

3 Trump alleged that high-profile figures were paid to endorse Kamala Harris during her failed presidential bid. Getty Images

“Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them. All hell would break out.”

During the 2024 cycle, Harris’ campaign drew criticism over $165,000 payments from Beyonce’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, for an Oct. 26 Houston rally.

Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Productions, was paid $1 million for a live stream event she helped organize in Michigan. Harris’ team also sent $500,000 to Sharpton’s National Action Network.

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Trump cited different numbers in his Truth Social post. It was not immediately clear where they came from.

All three celebs have backed Democratic candidates in the past.

“Eleven Million Dollars to singer Beyoncé for an ENDORSEMENT (she never sang, not one note, and left the stage to a booing and angry audience!), Three Million Dollars for ‘expenses,’ to Oprah, Six Hundred Thousand Dollars to very low rated TV ‘anchor,’ Al Sharpton (a total lightweight!), and others.”

3 Beyoncé didn’t perform at a rally for Kamala Harris, instead speaking at a podium. Getty Images

“They should all be prosecuted! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

The Post has reached out to Harris for comment.

Trump has peddled similar claims in the past. Last December, he alleged the Harris campaign paid the three for an endorsement, but cited slightly different figures. That time, he claimed Democrats sent “$11,000,000, $2,000,000, and $500,000 to get the ENDORSEMENT of Beyoncé, Oprah, and Reverend Al.”

“Beyoncé didn’t sing, Oprah didn’t do much of anything (she called it ‘expenses’), and Al is just a third rate Con Man,” he groused at the time.

Most of the singers and artists who endorsed Harris declined to perform at her campaign rallies last year, opting to just stump for her in traditional fashion instead.

In May, Trump revisited the accusations as well, publicly asking how much the Harris campaign paid Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Winfrey and Beyonce.

The Harris campaign previously addressed questions about the payments made to Beyonce’s production company and denied paying for an endorsement.

3 Beyoncé’s mother denied the pop star was paid to endorse Kamala Harris. Julian Dakdouk via PictureGroup/Shutterstock

Beyonce’s mother has also publicly denied reports that her daughter was paid up to $11 million to speak at the Harris rally.

Winfrey has also previously insisted she “was not paid a dime” to participate in the event with Harris, but instead had production fees covered by the campaign.

Harris’ campaign amassed a mountain of political cash, including $1.15 billion in her campaign coffers and $843 million in outside support, according to Open Secrets.

Trump, by contrast, had $464 million in his campaign and $989 million in outside money, per Open Secrets.

Trump’s Truth Social post comes during a four-day visit to the United Kingdom.

US President Donald Trump has demanded that Beyoncé and other celebrities be prosecuted for campaigning for Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election.

In a post on Truth Social last night, (July 26), Trump wrote: “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 (she never sang, not one note, and left the stage to a booing and angry audience!), Three Million Dollars for “expenses,” to Oprah, Six Hundred Thousand Dollars to very low rated TV ‘anchor,’ Al Sharpton (a total lightweight!), and others to be named for doing, absolutely NOTHING!”

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“These ridiculous fees were incorrectly stated in the books and records,” Trump added. “YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO. Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them. All hell would break out! Kamala, and all of those that received Endorsement money, BROKE THE LAW. They should all be prosecuted!”

Publicly shared financial records from the 2024 presidential campaign do show that Harris’s team spent significant funds on rallies and events, which featured celebrity endorsers including Beyoncé, Oprah, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry.

However, those expenses went toward support staff and production costs, and not to the celebrities themselves, as was confirmed by a New York Times investigation released in November.

.@Beyonce’s full remarks in support of Vice President Harris pic.twitter.com/CPCaFKkO9o — Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 26, 2024

Beyoncé publicly supported Harris in 2024, making a speech at a Rally on Reproductive Rights and personally approving Harris’ use of ‘Freedom’, from her 2016 album ‘Lemonade’, as the official anthem for her campaign.

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Harris began walking out to the song last July, when she made her first public appearance since President Joe Biden announced that he would be dropping out of the 2024 presidential election and endorsing Harris to run in his place as the Democratic nominee.

She later shared her first presidential election campaign video, soundtracked by ‘Freedom’. In the clip, Harris poses the question: “What kind of country do we want to live in?” She then goes on to say: “We choose freedom.”

Then, in August, Bey issued a cease-and-desist letter to Donald Trump’s campaign to prevent them from using the same song.

Trump previously called for a “major investigation” into Bruce Springsteen and other musicians who supported Harris, after the singer gave several scathing speeches criticising the US President at his show in Manchester earlier this year. He spoke about the “corruption” and “incompetence” of the President and his administration.

President Donald Trump said Saturday that former Vice President Kamala Harris should be prosecuted along with Beyonce and Oprah Winfrey for alleged endorsement payouts.

“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 (she never sang, not one note, and left the stage to a booing and angry audience!), Three Million Dollars for “expenses,” to Oprah, Six Hundred Thousand Dollars to very low rated TV “anchor,” Al Sharpton (a total lightweight!), and others to be named for doing, absolutely NOTHING!” Trump posted to Truth Social on Saturday.

“These ridiculous fees were incorrectly stated in the books and records. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO. Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them. All hell would break out! Kamala, and all of those that received Endorsement money, BROKE THE LAW,” he continued to say.

Harris’ campaign drew criticisms during the 2024 election cycle for paying out $165,000 to Beyonce’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, for a Houston rally on Oct. 26, according to the Federal Election Commission (FCC).

Beyonce’s mother publicly denied the allegations that her daughter received any money to speak at a Harris rally in a post to Instagram on Nov. 16. (RELATED: Diddy World Goes All In For Harris)

Oprah Winfrey‘s production company, Harpo Productions, was paid $1 million for a live stream event she helped organize in Michigan, the FCC noted. Harris’ campaign also paid Al Sharpton‘s National Action Network $500,000, according to the FCC.

All three celebrities have endorsed Democratic candidates in past elections.

Trump cited different payment amounts in his post, although the course of those numbers is unclear.

Trump concluded his post by saying, “They should all be prosecuted! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”