Oprah Winfrey recently denied reports that the failed presidential campaign of Kamala Harris paid her $1 million to stump for the Democrat. Winfrey told a TMZ reporter that she was never paid for endorsing Harris or hosting the virtual town hall event called “Unite for America” in September. The Washington Examiner had previously reported that Harris’ campaign paid $1 million to Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Productions, which was later denied by a Harpo spokesperson.
Harpo Productions clarified that the Harris campaign only paid for the production costs of the virtual town hall event and that Winfrey did not receive a personal fee. The event took place on September 19 outside Detroit, Michigan and featured a lineup of big-name celebrities. The spokesperson for Harpo did not disclose the exact cost of their production work for the event. Despite her support for Harris during the campaign, Winfrey was never paid for her involvement, according to Harpo Productions.
Following the virtual town hall event, Winfrey joined Harris at her final rally in Philadelphia on the eve of Election Day. Winfrey expressed that the American people were voting for values and integrity, as well as choosing healing over hate. The rally with Harris was a show of support from Winfrey towards the Democrat nominee, who eventually lost the election. The Harris campaign reportedly spent $1 billion during their unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
Overall, the claims that Kamala Harris’ campaign paid Oprah Winfrey $1 million for their failed presidential campaign were refuted by both Winfrey and her production company, Harpo Productions. Winfrey clarified that she was never paid for her support of Harris or for hosting the virtual town hall event. Despite endorsing Harris and participating in campaign events, Winfrey maintained that she did not receive any monetary compensation throughout the campaign. Her participation in events like the virtual town hall and Harris’ final rally were seen as gestures of support rather than paid endorsements.