Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign spent at least $20 million on celebrity appearances during her failed presidential bid, federal election records revealed.
The payments covered the costs of events with Hollywood A-listers, though it’s unclear whether the celebrities pocketed any of the money.
Federal Election Commission records show that Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions was paid $1 million on Oct. 15, weeks after Ms. Winfrey hosted a star-studded town hall featuring Julia Roberts and George Clooney.
Ms. Winfrey also spoke at the climactic Harris campaign rally in Philadelphia on the evening before Election Day.
“We’re voting for healing over hate,” Ms. Winfrey told the crowd.
A spokesperson for Harpo Productions didn’t respond to a request for comment.
SEE ALSO: Oprah Winfrey says she wasn’t paid for her work on events for Kamala Harris
Ms. Harris’ campaign raised more than $1 billion to defeat former President Donald Trump but lost in all seven battleground states. Mr. Trump easily won the Electoral College and the popular vote.
According to Politico, the Democrat’s campaign finished with at least $20 million in debt. Of the $1 billion Ms. Harris raised, only $118 million remained in cash as of Oct. 16.
A spokesperson for the Harris campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
The Harris campaign spent a sizable portion of its war chest on star-studded events with Hollywood elites, who performed songs or hosted her rallies. Democrats are angry that the Harris campaign couldn’t defeat Mr. Trump and are pointing fingers at the spending decisions.
Federal Election Commission filings revealed that Ms. Harris spent more than $15 million on “event production.” The filing dates coincide with big-name concerts and campaign rallies featuring rapper 2 Chainz in Georgia and The Isley Brothers in Wisconsin.
The dates of the expense reports include the election eve concerts featuring a slew of A-list performers in swing states. Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin sang in Philadelphia, Katy Perry gave a concert in Pittsburgh, and Jon Bon Jovi performed in Detroit.
The evening’s events could push the total tab on celebrity performances beyond $20 million.
“Millions of hardworking middle-class families donated to Kamala’s campaign. Instead of reaching voters and sharing her agenda with their donations, Harris spent millions on pop stars and celebrities who joined her on stage,” Republican Party strategist Jimmy Keady said. “By using [donors’] hard-earned money to pay Hollywood, the Democrats have shown they are out of touch with Middle America.”
Several media production companies received significant payments from the Harris campaign, though their roles are uncertain.
Election filings revealed that Viva Creative, a marketing agency that had organized events with Ms. Winfrey and comedian Trevor Noah, was paid $1.8 million for event production in September and October.
Majic Productions, a Wisconsin-based light and sound company that has worked the NBA Playoffs and the Super Bowl, was paid $2.3 million.
Vox Productions, a Los Angeles company that specializes in scene design and venue management, received multiple payments totaling nearly $1 million.
Production Management One in Maryland was paid $1.7 million. The company specializes in set design, lighting and other event planning technologies.
Mr. Trump’s largest election expenditures were media buys, including a $31 million ad campaign launched on Oct. 16. Several direct-mail companies were paid more than $1 million in the final days of the campaign.
Mr. Trump, who largely eschewed celebrity endorsements with the notable exceptions of Kid Rock and Hulk Hogan, didn’t spend as much on events as Ms. Harris, FEC records show. His largest event spending was nearly $600,000 in May 2023 to Event Strategies Inc., an Alexandria, Virginia-based company that provides “management and event” production for clients.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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