US President Donald Trump has demanded a “main investigation” into former US vice President Kamala Harris’ use of celebrities in her 2024 presidential marketing campaign, claiming she paid stars like Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen and Bono for his or her endorsements, a transfer he alleges was unlawful.In a fiery Reality Social submit on Monday, Trump accused Kamala of disguising endorsement funds as leisure charges to spice up her marketing campaign crowds.“Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, beneath the guise of paying for leisure,” Trump wrote in his Reality Social submit. “This was a really costly and determined effort to artificially construct up her sparse crowds. IT’S NOT LEGAL!”The president singled out a number of celebrities by identify, together with Springsteen, who not too long ago referred to as Trump “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous” throughout a live performance in England.“HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT?” Trump mentioned in one other submit. “WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN OF HERS? ISN’T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION?”Trump additionally took goal at Beyoncé, claiming she was paid $11 million to look onstage, briefly endorse Harris after which exit to boos. “THIS IS AN ILLEGAL ELECTION SCAM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL! IT IS AN ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION!” he added.Based on marketing campaign finance data reported by Selection and USA As we speak, Harris’ marketing campaign did pay $1 million to Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and $165,000 to Beyoncé’s firm. Nonetheless, each stars and their groups have denied receiving any private funds. Winfrey mentioned she took no private payment, explaining on Instagram that “the individuals who labored on that manufacturing wanted to be paid. And have been. Finish of story.” Beyoncé’s mom, Tina Knowles, additionally said that her daughter “didn’t obtain a penny.”Adrienne Elrod, a senior adviser to Harris, beforehand clarified that the marketing campaign by no means paid any artist immediately for an endorsement. “We’ve by no means paid any artist and performer. We’ve by no means paid a payment to that particular person,” she instructed Deadline. She added that there are marketing campaign finance legal guidelines they adopted, together with paying for manufacturing and logistics prices tied to occasions.Regardless of the denials, Trump insisted these transactions have been improper. “For these unpatriotic ‘entertainers,’ this was only a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL strategy to capitalize on a damaged system,” he wrote.Kamala Harris received help from many well-known individuals throughout her marketing campaign, together with Taylor Swift and Eminem. However Donald Trump additionally had celebrities backing him. Prior to now, stars like Child Rock and Kanye West supported Trump. Child Rock even carried out on the Republican Nationwide Conference.
