“Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment,” Trump fumed in a caps lock-heavy screed on social media in the early hours of Monday.
“This was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds. IT’S NOT LEGAL!” he added, calling the various artists who came out in support of Harris “unpatriotic.”
Then-Vice President Harris received a steady stream of celebrity backers leading up to the November election. Beyoncé spoke at a rally in Houston along with former Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, but did not perform, while Winfrey hosted a star-studded, live-streamed town hall near Detroit.
Rumors falsely circulated that the superstars were paid millions for their support, which their teams quickly shut down.
The Harris campaign, which raised more than $1 billion in just a few months, paid Beyoncé’s production company $165,000 and gave $1 million to Harpo Productions, Winfrey’s company, according to campaign finance records.
Winfrey addressed criticism over the figure in a social media post, saying she did not receive “any personal fee.”
