U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 19 that he would launch a ' significant investigation' into Vice President Kamala Harris regarding alleged payments made to celebrities endorsing her 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump, via his Truth Social platform, accused Harris of breaching campaign finance laws by disguising endorsement payments as entertainment expenses.
He emphasized that candidates are prohibited from paying for endorsements, asserting that Harris's actions warranted a thorough inquiry. Harris, who took over as the Democratic nominee from Joe Biden, sought the backing of high-profile entertainers like Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Bruce Springsteen to attract younger and more diverse voters, although her campaign ultimately fell short.
Also, Winfrey’s production company received $1 million for hosting a campaign event, while Harris's team refuted claims of a $10 million payment to Beyoncé for a rally appearance.
The campaign's finance reports indicated only a single endorsement-related expense of $75 to an environmental group, raising concerns about the transparency of other financial transactions.
In contrast, Trump, who won the election, had limited support from mainstream entertainers but was endorsed by a select group of conservative influencers, including podcast host Joe Rogan, and he questioned the financial arrangements of celebrities who backed Harris.
Trump questioned the financial arrangement between Kamala Harris and Bruce Springsteen, asking how much she paid him ?? for what he deemed a "lackluster " performance during her presidential campaign.
He also wondered why Springsteen, a self-proclaimed fan of Harris, would accept such payment?? This comment came after a week of back-and-forth between Trump and Springsteen, who had criticized the Trump administration during a concert in the UK, labeling it as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.”
In response, Trump dismissed the 74-year-old musician as "Highly Overrated." Springsteen, a long-time liberal and outspoken opponent of Trump, had publicly endorsed Harris as she took the lead in the Democratic campaign during its final stretch.