WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump is calling for “major investigations” into several prominent entertainers, including Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Bono, over unsubstantiated claims they were paid to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Posting late Sunday on his Truth Social platform, Trump alleged—without providing evidence—that the celebrities received improper compensation for their public support of Harris, calling it “corrupt and unlawful.” The allegations appear to stem from recent remarks Springsteen made criticizing the Trump administration during his European tour.
“HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN…?” Trump wrote, suggesting payments may have been disguised as entertainment costs. He added, “Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS… IT’S NOT LEGAL!”
Trump also repeated a previously debunked claim, popularized by conservative influencer Candace Owens, that Beyoncé was paid $11 million to briefly appear at a Harris campaign event in Houston last fall. At the time, Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, refuted the rumor, stating the singer was not paid and had personally covered her travel and appearance expenses.
Despite claiming to cite “news reports,” Trump did not reference any credible sources. His message suggested that celebrity endorsements for Harris were, in fact, illegal campaign contributions.
“THIS IS AN ILLEGAL ELECTION SCAM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,” he wrote, naming Springsteen, Oprah, Bono, and others as subjects who “have a lot of explaining to do.”
Springsteen had drawn Trump’s ire earlier in the week during a concert in Manchester, England, where he criticized what he called a “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.” Trump responded by attacking Springsteen’s appearance and talent, calling him a “dried out ‘prune’ of a rocker” and warning he should “KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.”
The former president also recently targeted Taylor Swift after she publicly endorsed Harris. Although Trump did not include Swift in this latest round of accusations, he previously claimed the pop star was “no longer hot.”
Trump’s social media outburst continues a pattern of escalating personal attacks on high-profile critics and public figures who have voiced opposition to him. No evidence has surfaced to support his latest claims, and no formal investigations into the celebrities named have been announced.
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