Federal Election Commission financial disclosure reports

Harris Campaign Faces $20M Debt After Paying $10M to Beyoncé, $1M to Oprah

Nov 12, 2024, 12:24 PM

Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign reportedly spent substantial amounts on celebrity endorsements and events, contributing to a $20 million campaign debt following her unsuccessful bid for the presidency. Federal Election Commission records indicate that the campaign paid $1 million to Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions for a virtual town hall event on October 15, though Winfrey has denied receiving a personal fee. The campaign also allegedly paid $10 million to Beyoncé for a brief appearance at a rally in Houston where she did not perform, $5 million to Megan Thee Stallion, $3 million to Lizzo, and $1.8 million to Eminem for their endorsements. Additionally, the campaign spent $500,000 on Reverend Al Sharpton's nonprofit organization weeks before a favorable interview with him. Despite raising over $1 billion, the campaign ended with considerable debt and is currently soliciting additional donations from supporters post-election.