Kamala Harris campaign did not pay celebrities for endorsement

Question

Vice President Kamala Harris received many celebrity endorsements leading up to the election, including from Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Eminem, Megan Thee Stallion and Lizzo. Social media posts have made the unfounded claim that these celebrities were collectively paid $20 million for their endorsements. We've found no evidence to support the claim.

Answer 1

I analyzed the source from the original claim, and to verify, I cross-checked with other sources online. I was unable to find any sources that could provide any concrete evidence that the celebrities who endorsed Kamala Harris were paid to do so.

"The four celebrities cited in the post - or people speaking on their behalf - have said they weren't paid by Harris' campaign for their endorsements. There are no payments for celebrity endorsements listed in campaign finance reports from the campaign." Trela, N. (2024, 11, 25). Reps for Beyonce, Eminem and others said they were not paid to endorse Harris | Fact check. USA Today.  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2024/11/25/harris-endorsements-oprah-beyonce-eminem-fact-check/76499666007/ 

Additionally, the article says: "Paying for endorsements is not explicitly barred in campaign finance laws, but all expenditures must be disclosed, according to the Federal Election Commission. Harris' campaign finance report covering spending through Oct.16 showed one endorsement-related payment: $75 to the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund."

There are no payments recorded for celebrity endorsements, and public denials have been made by celebrities on social media in response to the claims they were paid to endorse the Harris campaign.

Comments

Your method of fact checking seems to be highly effective. I appreciate that you included a quote alongside a hyperlink of the agreeing source. The details you include like the campaign finance laws and the public denials help your claim and strengthen your answer.