Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris reportedly spent $20 million on concerts and celebrity appearances during the final stretch of the 2024 elections, an amount nearly equal to her campaign’s reported debt, according to FEC filings.
In the days leading up to the election, high-profile celebrities including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Megan Thee Stallion and Katy Perry performed at Harris campaign events.
Virtual town halls also featured stars such as Meryl Streep, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, and Julia Roberts, further emphasizing the campaign’s reliance on star power.
Despite the significant investment, Harris ultimately lost to Donald Trump, raising questions about the effectiveness of these celebrity-driven efforts.
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Her campaign reportedly burned through $100 million per week after she launched her presidential bid in late July, following Joe Biden’s decision to step down from the race and endorse her.
The spending included influencer partnerships, private jet travel between battleground states, and high-profile events like the “United for America” livestream in September. Organized by Harpo Productions, the event cost nearly $2.5 million and featured Oprah Winfrey interviewing Harris on issues like immigration and abortion rights.
Winfrey clarified she did not take a personal fee, stating the funds were used to cover production costs and pay her team.
Critics have since questioned the role of celebrity endorsements in political campaigns, particularly given the disparity in spending between the Democratic and Republican campaigns. While Harris’ campaign and its supporting groups spent nearly $1.8 billion, Trump’s campaign and allies spent $1.4 billion, achieving victory with a leaner budget.
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