Vice President Kamala Harris’s failed presidential bid came with a hefty price tag. In a reported attempt to win over voters, her campaign poured millions into celebrity endorsements and entertainment events.
Topping this list was a $1 million payment to Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, sparking debate over whether this investment yielded any meaningful return, as reported by the New York Post [1].
In a highly publicized move, Winfrey hosted a town hall for Harris in September and appeared alongside her at a final rally in Philadelphia on Election Day’s eve. At the rally, Winfrey made an impassioned endorsement, declaring, “We’re voting for values and integrity… we’re voting for healing over hate.”
However, this sentiment failed to sway enough voters, and Harris’s campaign ended in disappointment.
Beyond Winfrey, the campaign’s spending spree extended to other high-profile entertainment ventures. According to the Washington Examiner, Harris’s team spent a six-figure sum on a customized set for her appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, hosted by Alex Cooper.
The October interview took place in a Washington, D.C., hotel room—a setting that reportedly came with an extravagant price tag. Critics have questioned whether the Harris campaign’s funds could have been put to better use elsewhere.
But the big-ticket expenses didn’t stop at podcast appearances. In a further attempt to energize voters, the campaign held concerts in crucial swing states, racking up costs nearing $20 million.
Featured performers included Jon Bon Jovi in Detroit, Christina Aguilera in Las Vegas, Katy Perry in Pittsburgh, Lady Gaga in Philadelphia, and 2 Chainz in Atlanta. While these events aimed to drum up excitement, a planned performance by Alanis Morissette was scrapped, leaving some wondering if the lineup could have been stronger.
In a striking critique, Republican strategist Brad Todd summed up the campaign’s shortcomings: “Money can’t buy you love or a good candidate.” He argued that while advertising can reach swing voters, it only works if the message resonates, adding, “What her campaign was missing was any effort to break with the unpopular administration she has been a part of.”
So Much For Believing In The Message!
After all of Oprah Winfrey’s talk about how much she supported Kamala Harris and believed in her platform, it turns out she was paid $1 MILLION DOLLARS for her endorsement.
EVERYTHING about the campaign was completely FAKE! pic.twitter.com/Wxxw6MuaHg [2]
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) November 9, 2024 [3]
The Harris campaign has not commented on these spending choices, but the results speak volumes. As the dust settles, many in conservative circles are questioning the wisdom of pouring millions into celebrity endorsements, particularly when the strategy did little to sway undecided voters.