Current:Home > StocksOprah Winfrey Addresses Claim She Was Paid $1 Million by Kamala Harris' Campaign -WealthSphere Pro
Oprah Winfrey Addresses Claim She Was Paid $1 Million by Kamala Harris' Campaign
View
Date:2025-04-20 15:13:28
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! (8665)
Related
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Company plans $344 million Georgia factory to make recycled glass for solar panels
- After searing inflation, American workers are getting ahead, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says
- Russia court sentences American David Barnes to prison on sexual abuse claims dismissed by Texas authorities
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Outer Banks Star Austin North Speaks Out After Arrest Over Alleged Hospital Attack
- Kentucky House passes bills allowing new academic roles for Murray State and Eastern Kentucky
- The Voice Alum Cassadee Pope Reveals She's Leaving Country Music
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- New Hampshire Senate rejects enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution
Ranking
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Ford CEO says company will rethink where it builds vehicles after last year’s autoworkers strike
- New York redistricting panel approves new congressional map with modest changes
- Youth baseball program takes in $300K after its bronze statue of Jackie Robinson is stolen
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Jennifer Lopez Reveals Her Las Vegas Wedding Dress Wasn't From an Old Movie After All
- Who plays 'Young Sheldon'? See full cast for Season 7 of hit sitcom
- As credit report errors climb, advocates urge consumers to conduct credit checkups
Recommendation
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
GMA3's T.J. Holmes Reveals When He First Knew He Loved Amy Robach
Tribes in Washington are battling a devastating opioid crisis. Will a multimillion-dollar bill help?
AP Week in Pictures: North America
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
A Republican plan to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin is dead
Here’s where all the cases against Trump stand as he campaigns for a return to the White House
Amy Schumer Responds to Criticism of Her “Puffier” Face