Current:Home > InvestOprah Winfrey Addresses Claim She Was Paid $1 Million by Kamala Harris' Campaign -VisionFunds
Oprah Winfrey Addresses Claim She Was Paid $1 Million by Kamala Harris' Campaign
View
Date:2025-04-13 18:19:12
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! (7994)
Related
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Will the Backstreet Boys Rerecord Music Like Taylor Swift? AJ McLean Says…
- April Fools' Day: Corporate larks can become no laughing matter. Ask Google and Volkswagen
- One dead, 5 wounded in shooting at Easter brunch in Nashville restaurant
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Vontae Davis, former NFL cornerback who was two-time Pro Bowl pick, dies at 35
- Taylor Swift wins artist of the year at iHeartRadio Awards: 'To the fans, it's completely up to you'
- As US traffic fatalities fall, distracted drivers told to 'put the phone away or pay'
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Jerrod Carmichael's vulnerable chat with Tyler, the Creator about his crush goes viral
Ranking
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso declares for WNBA draft
- Lou Conter, the final USS Arizona survivor from Pearl Harbor, dies at 102
- NCAA apologizes, fixes court overnight. Uneven 3-point line blamed on 'human error'
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- What's open and closed for Easter? See which stores and restaurants are operating today.
- Ex-officer who beat Black man with gun goes on trial in Colorado
- Inmate’s lawsuit seeks to block Alabama’s bid to arrange 2nd execution using nitrogen gas
Recommendation
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
Trump's Truth Social loses $4 billion in value in one week, while revealing wider loss
One dead, 5 wounded in shooting at Easter brunch in Nashville restaurant
Refinery fire leaves two employees injured in the Texas Panhandle
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
Rebel Wilson accuses Sacha Baron Cohen of 'bullying and gaslighting' after leaked footage
Why this fact about sperm matters for couples trying to conceive
Hey, Gen X, Z and millennials: the great wealth transfer could go to health care, not you