In a significant show of support for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, famed media mogul Oprah Winfrey, along with a slew of other high-profile celebrities, brought their star power to the critical battleground state of Michigan, aiming to sway voters ahead of the election.
The claim: Harris’ campaign paid celebrities for endorsements
A social media post circulating on Facebook since November 12 alleges that Vice President Kamala Harris allocated millions to persuade various celebrities to endorse her political campaign. This post, which has gained traction, states: “This is how much Kamala Harris paid artists to publicly support her!” and lists amounts purportedly paid to several prominent figures including Beyoncé ($10 million), Megan Thee Stallion ($5 million), Lizzo ($3 million), and Eminem ($1.8 million).
Similar claims have been observed across multiple Facebook accounts, with varying financial figures mentioned. Some posts erroneously included Oprah Winfrey among the alleged paid endorsers, further amplifying the speculation.
Our rating: False
Despite the sensational claims made in the post, representatives for each of the celebrities mentioned have publicly denied being compensated by Harris’ campaign for their endorsements. A thorough investigation of campaign finance reports reveals no records of celebrity endorsement payments made by the Harris campaign.
Cash for celebrity endorsements broadly denied
While Harris enjoyed a remarkable roster of celebrity endorsements, it ultimately did not translate into a successful run for the White House. Importantly, there exists no evidence supporting the notion that these endorsements were financially motivated by her campaign.
Furthermore, there are clear public denials from figures associated with each celebrity who has reportedly endorsed Harris. Eminem’s publicist, Dennis Dennehy, clarified in an email to USA TODAY that the rapper has never accepted or been offered any money for participating in political campaigns or endorsing candidates.
Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother, addressed the claims surrounding her daughter’s alleged $10 million payment for speaking at a Harris rally on Instagram, asserting: “Beyoncé did not receive a penny for speaking at a Presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris’s Rally in Houston.” She emphasized that Beyoncé even financed her and her team’s travel expenses out of her own pocket.
A similarly positioned source informed USA TODAY that Megan Thee Stallion did not receive any compensation for her public support of Harris, strengthening the narrative that the endorsements were authentic and voluntary.
Although Lizzo’s representatives have yet to respond to inquiries concerning her endorsement, PolitiFact has reported that the Harris campaign reiterated she was not financially compensated for her endorsement.
Oprah Winfrey herself took to social media to clarify that she did not receive any personal fees, although she confirmed that her company, Harpo Productions, was compensated for producing a sit-down event featuring Harris in Michigan. Winfrey made it clear that the payment was strictly for production-related costs, which included worker wages, and insisted that she did not personally profit from the arrangement. She stressed that providing the services at no cost could have been seen as an in-kind campaign contribution, thus subject to the same financial regulations as direct monetary contributions.
USA TODAY made attempts to reach the users who disseminated the claim for commentary but did not receive immediate feedback.
Our fact-check sources
- Dennis Dennehy, Nov. 21, Email exchange with USA TODAY
- Federal Election Commission, accessed Nov. 21, Disbursements searched for “endorsement” in Kamala Harris for the People and Harris for President
- Federal Election Commission, accessed Nov. 21, Disbursements searched for “event” in Kamala Harris for the People and Harris for President
- USA TODAY, Nov. 12, Oprah Winfrey says she was not paid a ‘personal fee’ for Kamala Harris rally
- Tina Knowles, Nov. 16, Instagram post
- Deadline, Nov. 15, Oprah Winfrey Says She Was Not Paid To Endorse Kamala Harris, And There’s A Legal Reason Why VP’s Campaign Spent $1 Million On Harpo Productions
- PolitiFact, Oct. 28, Claims that the Harris campaign paid Lizzo $2.3 million to appear at an event are unsubstantiated
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USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.
**What are Oprah Winfrey’s views on the financial motivations behind celebrity endorsements for political campaigns?**
**Interview with Oprah Winfrey on Celebrity Endorsements for Kamala Harris**
**Host:** Good morning, everyone! Today, we have a very special Alex Reed, the legendary media mogul and philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey! We’re here to clear the air regarding some recent claims circulating on social media about celebrity endorsements for Kamala Harris’ campaign. Welcome, Oprah!
**Oprah Winfrey:** Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and to have the opportunity to discuss this important topic.
**Host:** So, recently there have been claims on Facebook suggesting that you and several other celebrities were paid substantial amounts for endorsing Vice President Harris. Can you clarify the situation?
**Oprah Winfrey:** Absolutely. I want to be very clear that I did not receive any personal fees for my involvement with Vice President Harris’ campaign. My company, Harpo Productions, was compensated for production costs related to a sit-down event we organized featuring her in Michigan. That payment went toward necessary expenses, like paying our workers, and I personally did not profit from it.
**Host:** Many assume that celebrity endorsements come with financial incentives. How do you respond to the notion that endorsements are always financially driven?
**Oprah Winfrey:** That’s a common misconception. In my case, and many others, our involvement is rooted in genuine support for the candidate and their vision. It’s critical to advocate for what we believe in, especially during elections, and that doesn’t always come with a paycheck.
**Host:** It seems there’s been a pattern of public denials from the celebrities linked to these allegations. What’s your take on those denials?
**Oprah Winfrey:** I think it’s important for all of us in the public eye to uphold the truth. Eminem, Beyoncé, and Megan Thee Stallion have all stated they were not financially compensated for their support of the campaign, which further emphasizes that these endorsements are often altruistic rather than transactional.
**Host:** Some posts have named outrageous figures like $10 million for Beyoncé or $5 million for Megan Thee Stallion. What do you think about those claims?
**Oprah Winfrey:** Those figures are completely unfounded and frankly, ridiculous. I believe that when claims are made without any evidence, they serve to confuse and mislead the public. It’s essential for people to critically evaluate information, especially when it comes to something as impactful as political endorsements.
**Host:** How can voters ensure they’re receiving accurate information amidst all the noise on social media?
**Oprah Winfrey:** The best approach is to refer to reliable sources and fact-checking organizations. Scrutinizing the information and verifying it against established news outlets or official campaign statements can help separate fact from fiction.
**Host:** Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Oprah! It’s vital to hear from credible voices like yours to clarify these misconceptions.
**Oprah Winfrey:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to engage in honest conversations about our political endorsements and support each other as we navigate this complex process.
**Host:** And that wraps up our segment! Thank you, Oprah, for joining us today, and to our audience, remember to stay informed and think critically about what you read online!
