President-elect Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday to accuse Democrats of purportedly paying celebrities to publicly endorse Vice President Harris. In his post, he specifically called out Beyoncé, Oprah, and MSNBC host Al Sharpton, questioning the legitimacy of these endorsements.
“Are the Democrats allowed to pay $11,000,000, $2,000,000, and $500,000 to get the ENDORSEMENT of Beyoncé, Oprah, and Reverend Al? I don’t think so,” Trump wrote, asserting his skepticism of the financial transactions behind these endorsements. He further criticized the individuals, referring to Beyoncé as not performing, stating that Oprah didn’t contribute much and labeled Al Sharpton as a “third-rate Con Man.”
While both Beyoncé and Oprah had appeared alongside Vice President Harris on the campaign trail, they denied receiving monetary compensation for their support. Oprah clarified that she “was not paid a dime” for her participation in a live streamed event with Harris, with production costs covered by the campaign.
Al Sharpton, a former minister and civil rights advocate who hosts “PoliticsNation” on MSNBC, was also singled out by Trump. The Washington Free Beacon reported that Sharpton’s National Action Network received a $500,000 donation from the Harris campaign shortly before his interview with the Vice President. Subsequently, Sharpton held a get-out-the-vote rally for Harris just days after the interview aired.
In response to the donation revelation, MSNBC stated that they were unaware of the financial contribution made to Sharpton’s organization. A network spokesperson informed the Washington Free Beacon that MSNBC does not comment on personnel matters, implying that they would not take any immediate action regarding the situation.
Trump raised concerns about the legality of such donations, insinuating potential wrongdoing on the part of the Democrats amid heightened scrutiny over Harris’s campaign expenditures. He concluded his post by questioning the legality of the donation and hinted at possible similar instances occurring elsewhere.
Throughout the 2024 presidential campaign cycle, Trump has been critical of Harris’s media appearances, including an interview with CBS News, where he alleged that the network had modified her responses before broadcasting them. The ongoing exchanges between the former president and the Democratic Party highlight the contentious nature of the political landscape leading up to the election.
As the political discourse intensifies, the scrutiny over endorsements, financial transactions, and media coverage continues to shape the narrative surrounding the candidates and their campaigns. The intricate dynamics at play underscore the complexities and controversies inherent in the electoral process, with each side maneuvering to gain an advantage in the fiercely contested arena of American politics.
