Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign has found itself under scrutiny after revelations about its extravagant spending—including a hefty $2.5 million payment to Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions. New details reveal that the campaign’s financial choices, which included star-studded events, high-end catering, and influencer partnerships, left the Democratic Party grappling with a $20 million debt following a decisive loss to Donald Trump.
The eye-popping figure for Oprah’s September town hall event, initially reported as $1 million, was clarified by The New York Times to be closer to $2.5 million. The payment covered a full-scale production, including set design, lighting, crew, and equipment.
While Oprah emphasized that she did not personally take any fees, she explained the necessity of paying her team. “I was not paid a dime,” she commented on Instagram, adding, “My production company Harpo was asked to bring in set design, lights, cameras, crew, producers, and every other item necessary to put on a live production. The people who worked on that production needed to be paid.
And were. End of story.” Despite the star power of Oprah and other A-list celebrities like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, and Katy Perry, questions have arisen about the effectiveness of such high-profile endorsements.
Kamala’s campaign, which reportedly spent an eye-watering $100 million per week during its condensed run from late July to November, ended in a sweeping .