Trump slams Harris endorsements/ Kamala Harris campaign spending/ Al Sharpton donation controversy/ Trump criticizes Democrats/ celebrity endorsements in politics/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President-elect Donald Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris on Truth Social, accusing her campaign of paying celebrities like Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Al Sharpton for endorsements. Trump called the payments unlawful, particularly questioning a donation to Sharpton’s nonprofit organization. Harris and her campaign have denied any unethical practices.
Trump’s Criticism of Harris: Quick Looks
- Celebrity Endorsements: Trump claims Democrats paid millions for endorsements from Beyoncé, Oprah, and Sharpton.
- Sharpton Donation: Harris’s campaign reportedly donated $500,000 to Sharpton’s nonprofit.
- Network Statement: MSNBC denies knowledge of the campaign’s donation to Sharpton’s group.
- Campaign Spending Scrutiny: Trump alleges the payments violate campaign finance laws.
- Broader Criticisms: Trump has previously accused media outlets of bias in Harris’s interviews.
Trump Criticizes Harris’ Celebrity Endorsements, Calls Sharpton a ‘Con Man’
Deep Look: Trump Questions Harris Campaign’s Celebrity Endorsements, Calls Out Sharpton
President-elect Donald Trump intensified his criticisms of Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday, taking aim at her campaign’s celebrity endorsements and financial dealings. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Democrats of paying exorbitant sums to public figures like Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Al Sharpton to secure their support.
“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. He labeled Sharpton a “third-rate con man” and dismissed Beyoncé and Oprah’s contributions as minimal.
Donation to Sharpton’s Organization Draws Scrutiny
The controversy centers on a $500,000 donation from Harris’s campaign to Sharpton’s nonprofit, the National Action Network, weeks before his MSNBC interview with her in October. Sharpton later held a get-out-the-vote rally for Harris just days after the segment aired.
While MSNBC stated it was unaware of the donation, the network declined to comment on potential internal actions.
Trump questioned the legality of the arrangement, claiming it violated campaign finance laws. “Totally against the law, and I have heard there are many others!!!” he concluded in his post.
Harris Campaign Denies Allegations
Harris’s campaign has rejected claims of unethical behavior. Oprah, who joined Harris at a livestreamed event, clarified that she was not paid for her appearance, though production costs were covered by the campaign.
Sharpton’s National Action Network has yet to respond to the allegations directly, but the timing of the donation and subsequent endorsements has raised questions among critics.
Media Bias Allegations
Throughout the 2024 presidential race, Trump has frequently criticized Harris’s media appearances, accusing networks like CBS of altering her responses in interviews to favor the Democratic candidate. These claims reflect Trump’s ongoing grievances with perceived media bias during the campaign.
Looking Ahead
As Trump prepares to assume office in January, the allegations against Harris add to the contentious political landscape. Whether these claims lead to further investigations or policy changes remains to be seen, but they underscore the heated rivalry between Trump and Harris throughout the election cycle.
