Oprah Winfrey has spoken out to refute rumors claiming she was paid $1 million for hosting a town hall with Kamala Harris back in September. When approached by TMZ in Santa Barbara, Oprah firmly denied the allegations, saying, “Not true. I was paid nothing. Ever.” Despite her strong support for Harris, Oprah made it clear that her involvement in the event was entirely voluntary and uncompensated.
While Oprah’s statement puts to rest any direct payment claims, reports from The Washington Examiner suggest that Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Productions, received a $1 million payment from Harris’ campaign shortly after the event. However, Oprah herself has maintained there was no direct compensation for her participation.
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The focus now turns to the Harris campaign’s larger spending practices, particularly after her surprising loss to Donald Trump. Despite raising a record-breaking $1.2 billion, Harris’ campaign spent an eye-watering $3.5 billion-more than double what Trump’s campaign spent.
The Financial Times recently analyzed the staggering financial scale of the 2024 presidential race, revealing that the Harris campaign and its committees raised over $4.2 billion. With the bulk of those funds, $3.5 billion went towards expenditures, making it the most expensive presidential campaign to date. A significant portion of this was spent on celebrity endorsements and digital marketing in an attempt to sway voters, though the results were far from favorable.
Oprah Winfrey‘s production company, Harpo Productions, has denied rumors that the TV host was paid $1 million to participate in an online event in support of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Story: https://t.co/STJlyWTTtq pic.twitter.com/LFz2MjJwBn
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) November 12, 2024
Denies $1 million payment from Harris campaign
One example of the campaign’s costly approach was its production of a special set for Harris’ October appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast. To recreate the LA-based set in Washington, D.C., the campaign reportedly spent six figures, reflecting its efforts to connect with younger voters. Critics, however, argue that such extravagant spending was indicative of broader mismanagement, which many believe contributed to Harris’s lackluster performance at the polls.
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In the final days before the election, the campaign spent over $15 million on events with major stars like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, hoping to rally support. But despite these efforts, Harris struggled to galvanize widespread voter enthusiasm. Additionally, the campaign made a significant push on social media, spending $3.9 million on influencer marketing, though it failed to translate into the voter turnout they hoped for.
As discontent grows within the party, particularly among strategists and campaign staff, fingers are being pointed over the lack of return on such massive investments. Federal filings expected soon will shed light on the final expenditure details, with reports indicating the campaign ended in about $20 million in debt. This substantial financial burden has sparked frustration, with many demanding answers from the Democratic Party about how such an enormous budget failed to secure a win.
Oprah Winfrey Was Never 'Paid a Personal Fee' by Harris Campaign, Production Company Denies Rumor https://t.co/xeAcbFBMVn
— Variety (@Variety) November 12, 2024
