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Trump Calls for Beyoncé Prosecution, Citing $11M Harris Endorsement

Trump Calls for Beyoncé Prosecution, Citing $11M Harris Endorsement/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump claimed Beyoncé illegally received $11 million to endorse Kamala Harris—without any evidence. Federal records show a $165,000 production expense, not an endorsement payment. Both Harris’s campaign and Beyoncé’s team deny the accusation, which fact-checkers label false.

Musical artist Beyonce on stage at a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Annie Mulligan)

Trump’s Beyoncé Accusation – Quick Looks

  • Trump alleges Beyoncé took $11 million to back Harris
  • No evidence supports the endorsement payment claim
  • Campaign records show $165,000 for event production only
  • Beyoncé’s mother and spokesperson deny payment ever happened
  • Trump claims the payment was “probably illegal”
  • Federal law doesn’t ban paying for endorsements
  • Fact-checkers like PolitiFact and FactCheck.org debunked the $10M+ claim
  • Trump previously referenced unverified sources as justification
  • Critics see it as another politically charged attack
Trump Calls for Beyoncé Prosecution, Citing $11M Harris Endorsement

Trump Calls for Beyoncé Prosecution, Citing $11M Harris Endorsement

Deep Look

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump reignited controversy over the weekend by calling for the prosecution of music icon Beyoncé based on an unsubstantiated allegation that she received $11 million to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.

In a social media post made while visiting Scotland, Trump wrote that Democrats “admit to paying, probably illegally, Eleven Million Dollars to singer Beyoncé for an ENDORSEMENT.” However, no credible evidence supports this claim.

Federal Election Commission (FEC) records reveal that the Harris campaign paid Beyoncé’s production company $165,000, an amount categorized as “campaign event production.” The Harris campaign has consistently stated that celebrities were not paid for endorsements but were reimbursed for production and logistical costs associated with their appearances.

Where Did the $11 Million Come From?

Trump’s figure appears to have evolved from a previously debunked rumor circulating on social media last year, which claimed Beyoncé received $10 million. Fact-checking organizations including PolitiFact and FactCheck.org investigated the viral claim and found no proof of any such payment.

In February, Trump cited a vague, unnamed source: “Somebody just showed me something. They gave her $11 million.” He has never presented documentation or official confirmation to back his statement.

Even Beyoncé’s family weighed in. Her mother, Tina Knowles, posted on Instagram in November 2024, calling the claim a “lie” and noting that Instagram removed the post as “false information.” Knowles emphasized, “Beyoncé did not receive a penny for speaking at a Presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris’s Rally in Houston.”

Trump also declared that paying for political endorsements is “TOTALLY ILLEGAL,” but this is false. No federal statute prohibits campaigns from paying individuals for endorsements, though such payments must be properly disclosed in campaign finance filings. In this case, the Harris campaign’s $165,000 expense was logged transparently as production-related.

Legal experts confirm that payment alone—even if it were for an endorsement—does not constitute a crime unless it involves improper disclosure or misappropriation of campaign funds. There is no indication that any of those circumstances apply here.

Escalation in Trump’s Rhetoric

Trump’s call for criminal prosecution is the latest in a pattern of targeting political opponents and public figures with unfounded accusations. In May, he hinted at a “major investigation” into celebrity endorsements for Harris but stopped short of calling for prosecutions. His latest post crossed that threshold, accusing Kamala Harris and Beyoncé of criminal wrongdoing without evidence.

Trump’s statement extended to criticizing other campaign-related payments to groups connected with high-profile Harris supporters, suggesting the records were falsified—again without providing proof.

This rhetoric mirrors Trump’s repeated pattern of casting doubt on opponents’ legitimacy, often invoking legal consequences where none are warranted under current laws.

Broader Political Context

Trump’s claim comes during a politically charged week as he meets global leaders in Scotland, showcases his properties, and continues positioning himself for the 2024 campaign cycle. Political analysts suggest the attack on Beyoncé—one of the world’s most recognizable public figures and a vocal Harris supporter—is designed to rally his base and stir controversy ahead of election season.

Meanwhile, the Harris campaign has not engaged directly with Trump’s accusation, instead referencing past statements and denials. A spokesperson reaffirmed that all appearances were voluntary and that production costs were disclosed in compliance with FEC regulations.

Despite Trump’s insistence, no official investigation has been launched regarding the alleged $11 million figure. With campaign transparency records available and widely reviewed, the claim appears to be yet another baseless political attack lacking factual support.

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