Trump calls for probe into Kamala Harris's celebrity endorsements
During the campaign, Kamala Harris leaned on star power, drawing support from major celebrities like Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey.
President Donald Trump announced on Monday his plans to initiate a "major investigation" targeting his 2024 election opponent, Kamala Harris, over the involvement of celebrities who supported her unsuccessful presidential campaign.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Harris of skirting campaign finance rules, alleging that she paid for celebrity endorsements under the pretense of funding entertainment.
"Candidates are prohibited from purchasing ENDORSEMENTS, which is exactly what Kamala did, disguised as entertainment expenses," he wrote.
He added, "I will be calling for a major investigation into this issue."
During the campaign, Kamala Harris leaned on star power, drawing support from major celebrities like Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah defended a $1 million (Sh129.2 million) payment made by the Harris campaign to her production company, saying it covered expenses related to her role hosting an event for the candidate.
Meanwhile, Harris's team dismissed widespread speculation that Beyoncé had been paid $10 million (Sh1.2 billion) to appear at a rally, calling the rumors unfounded.
According to campaign finance disclosures, the only documented endorsement-related expense was a modest $75 (Sh9,691) payment to an environmental advocacy group.
While Trump, who secured a clear victory, received little backing from mainstream entertainers, he aligned himself with a niche group of prominent, hypermasculine figures — among them podcast host Joe Rogan.
On Monday, President Trump targeted celebrities Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Bruce Springsteen, accusing Kamala Harris of paying the rock legend to perform at a campaign rally in Georgia just weeks before the election.
"How much did Kamala Harris pay Bruce Springsteen for his weak performance during her presidential campaign?" Trump posted. "If he's such a devoted supporter, why take the money?"
This jab followed a recent online spat between Trump and Springsteen, sparked after the musician told a British concert crowd that the U.S. is now led by a “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.”
Trump, 78, fired back by calling Springsteen, famously known as "the Boss,"—"Highly Overrated.
A longtime liberal and vocal Trump critic, Springsteen backed Harris after she stepped in to replace President Joe Biden in the Democratic ticket.
