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Topics: Beyonce, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, Politics, US News
Liv Bridge
Topics: Beyonce, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, Politics, US News
Donald Trump's latest rant appears to accuse two pretty big names in showbiz of breaking the law.
The president apparently isn't very happy with neither Beyonce or Oprah Winfrey, bizarrely taking aim at the singer and TV host, as well as anchor Al Sharpton, for money Democrats allegedly shelled out to them.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump called for the trio to face prosecution for their alleged 'endorsement' of the then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris at events last year, including rallies in Texas and Pennsylvania.
He claims the 43-year-old singer was paid $11 million for an 'endorsement' at the event, adding further that she 'never sang, not one note,' while Winfrey allegedly received $3 million for 'expenses' and Sharpton $600,000 for 'doing absolutely nothing'.
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The POTUS ranted: "I’m looking at the large amount of money owed by the Democrats, after the Presidential Election, and the fact that they admit to paying, probably illegally, Eleven Million Dollars to singer Beyoncé for an ENDORSEMENT (she never sang, not one note, and left the stage to a booing and angry audience!), Three Million Dollars for 'expenses', to Oprah, Six Hundred Thousand Dollars to very low rated TV 'anchor', Al Sharpton (a total lightweight!), and others to be named for doing, absolutely NOTHING!"
Trump continued: "These ridiculous fees were incorrectly stated in the books and records. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO.
"Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them. All hell would break out! Kamala, and all of those that received Endorsement money, BROKE THE LAW. They should all be prosecuted! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he concluded.
Yet according to a fact check by CNN, there is 'simply no basis' for Trump's claim that Beyonce received the sum related to the Harris campaign, 'let alone for the endorsement in particular'.
The outlet highlights federal campaign spending records reveal $165,000 was paid from the Harris campaign to Beyonce's production company as an expense listed under 'campaign event production'.
A spokesperson also told Deadline last year that the Democrats didn't pay for celebrity endorsements, but that the law stipulates they cover the costs connected to their appearances.
Trump's comments come as the POTUS loosely referenced last year that 'somebody' showed him the singer was paid $11 million.
Beyonce's mom, Tina Knowles, also called out the claim as 'fake news' in Instagram post in November.
She wrote: "The lie is that Beyonce was paid 10 million dollars to speak at a rally in Houston for Vice President Kamala Harris. When In Fact: Beyonce did not receive a penny for speaking at a Presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harrris's Rally in Houston.
"In fact she actually paid for her own flights for her and her team, and total Glam. They are not only lying and disrespecting Beyonce's name but they are trying to further discredit the power of our vice president! When does the lies and rumors stop? Of course you won't see this in the news !!!!!"
Others like Factcheck.org and PolitiFact also looked into the allegation and reportedly could not find any basis to the claim.
UNILAD has contacted the White House for comment.