Current:Home > StocksOprah Winfrey Addresses Claim She Was Paid $1 Million by Kamala Harris' Campaign -OceanicInvest
Oprah Winfrey Addresses Claim She Was Paid $1 Million by Kamala Harris' Campaign
View
Date:2025-04-16 19:06:00
Oprah Winfrey is setting the record straight on her involvement with Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.
The former talk show host denied rumors that she was paid a $1 million personal fee to appear alongside the vice president—who lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump—at the Sept. 19 Unite for America live-streaming event in Detroit.
"Usually I am reluctant to respond to rumors in general, but these days I realize that if you don't stop a lie, it just gets bigger," she wrote on Instagram Nov. 11. "I was not paid a dime. My time and energy was my way of supporting the campaign."
While Winfrey said her Harpo Productions company was asked to supply the set—including lights, cameras, microphones and chairs—for filming, she "did not take any personal fee" for her appearance.
"However, the people who worked on that production needed to be paid. And were," the 70-year-old added. "End of story."
Harpo Productions also confirmed Winfrey's story, with a spokesperson telling Variety that the Harris campaign only "paid for the production costs of Unite for America."
"Oprah Winfrey was at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee," the rep continued, "nor did she receive a fee from Harpo."
Winfrey was a vocal champion of Harris in the months leading up to Election Day Nov. 5. In addition to the Unite for America event, she delivered a 15-minute speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in August, as well as appeared at Harris' final campaign rally earlier this month.
"I know that some of you are feeling burnt out and bruised and maybe inconsequential," the media mogul told a Philadelphia crowd Nov. 4, one day before the election. "Nothing could be further from the truth: Every single vote is going to matter."
Harris, 60, formally conceded to Trump, 78, on Nov. 6, promising that the current administration under President Joe Biden "will help him and his team with his transition."
"A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results," she told her supporters gathered at her alma mater of Howard University in Washington, D.C. "That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny, and anyone who seeks the public trust must honor it."
To see which celebrities voted in the 2024 election, read on.
The "Applause" singer didn't need a million reasons to get her vote on.
Hot Girl Summer? More like Hot Girl Election Day for the "Savage" rapper.
The Oscar winner celebrated her first time voting, captioning her video on Instagram, "I VOTED!!! Your girl is a #VirginVoter NO MORE!!!"
The Star Trek alum struck a pose with her "I Voted" sticker in both English and Spanish.
The 7th Heaven actress looked like she was on cloud nine after casting her ballot.
"Don’t sit this one out," the comedian wrote on Instagram. "Vote with your conscious."
The Step Up alum stepped up to the ballot box with her youngest daughter Rhiannon.
"With your vote today, give yourself a voice that can make the change that you envision in the world," the Friday Night Lights alum wrote on Instagram. "And feel how good that feels. Joy."
The Precious star filled out her ballot at home, joking, "When you vote at the kitchen counter, you can wear what you want."
"Get out and VOTE!" the Blue Lagoon actress wrote on Instagram. "This is probably the most important election in our lifetime."
"We voted!" the Substance actress shared on Instagram. "Voting is such an important part of our democracy, don’t forget to exercise your right to vote!"
The Frozen star didn't let his ballot go to waste.
"I hope you all exercised your fundamental right to vote and have your voice heard today," the Oscar winner wrote on Instagram Nov. 5. "I DID!"
The Orange Is the New Black alum showed off her Georgia peach sticker.
It may be a Tuesday, but the Wednesday actress headed to the polls nonetheless.
The "My Type" rapper tapped into voting.
Beyoncé's mom got into formation on Election Day.
The rocker gave voting a good name.
Looks like the Big Bang Theory alum made a big bang at the ballot box.
The 30 Rock alum and his wife snapped a selfie after voting in New York City.
"It's a privilege and a duty," the Modern Family star captioned his voting selfie. "VOTE!"
The model struck a pose with her "I Voted" sticker.
The Queer Eye star had his sights set on voting this year.
"If you ask nicely," the late night talk show host joked, "they’ll put the sticker on your head."
The musician and the Reno 911! star made voting into a morning date.
Not need to wait for it: The How I Met Your Mother alum already cast his vote.
The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants alum traveled all the way to the voting booth.
The two pals took to the voting booths together.
"Please remember that whoever you are and wherever you live," the Friends alum wrote on Instagram, "your voice matters. Your VOTE matters."
The Abbott Elementary star shared her A+ election day selfie.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (6425)
Related
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Biden has decided to keep Space Command in Colorado, rejecting move to Alabama, officials tell AP
- Check Out the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for Deals on Free People Sweaters, Skirts, Dresses & More
- 8-year-old survives cougar attack at Olympic National Park; animal stops when mother screams
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- 'Big Brother' 2023 premiere: What to know about Season 25 house, start time, where to watch
- Pee-Wee Herman Actor Paul Reubens Dead at 70 After Private Cancer Battle
- Lady Gaga Pens Moving Tribute to Collaborator Tony Bennett After Very Long and Powerful Goodbye
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- 'Like a broken record': Aaron Judge can't cure what ails Yankees as trade deadline looms
Ranking
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Rangers, Blue Jays bolster pitching as St. Louis Cardinals trade top arms in sell-off
- Turn Your Favorite Pet Photos Into a Pawfect Portrait for Just $20
- Bear takes dip in backyard Southern California hot tub amid heat wave
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Judge blocks Arkansas law that would allow librarians to be charged for loaning obscene books to minors
- Sweden leader says clear risk of retaliatory terror attacks as Iran issues threats over Quran desecration
- 'The Continental': Everything we know about the 'John Wick' spinoff series coming in September
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
The economy's long, hot, and uncertain summer — CBS News poll
American nurse working in Haiti and her child kidnapped near Port-au-Prince, organization says
DeSantis faces rugged comeback against Trump, increased AI surveillance: 5 Things podcast
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
'Like a broken record': Aaron Judge can't cure what ails Yankees as trade deadline looms
Busy Minneapolis interstate reopens after investigation into state trooper’s use of force
Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies from cancer at 70
Like
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Sweden leader says clear risk of retaliatory terror attacks as Iran issues threats over Quran desecration
- Mike Huckabee’s “Kids Guide to the Truth About Climate Change” Shows the Changing Landscape of Climate Denial