Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign paid Oprah Winfrey $1 million after the talk show icon hosted a high-profile town hall event in September.
According to the Washington Examiner, Winfrey’s Harpo Productions received the funds on October 15. Winfrey also joined Harris for her final campaign rally in Philadelphia, sharing the stage with Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and Katy Perry, all public supporters of the VP’s bid.
Costly Campaign Appearances
Harris’s campaign expenditures extended beyond Winfrey’s involvement. Reportedly, six figures were spent on constructing a set for her October appearance on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy, hosted by Alex Cooper. The appearance, which covered topics like abortion rights and student debt, was filmed in a hotel room in Washington, D.C., with crews replicating the show’s Los Angeles set.
Record-Breaking Campaign Spending
The Harris campaign reportedly spent $1.2 billion in total, compared to Trump’s $750 million, with some estimates suggesting Harris’s spending may have been even higher. The Harris campaign, affiliated PACs, and the Democratic National Committee amassed over $2.3 billion, while Trump’s team raised $1.8 billion. Together, both campaigns spent a record-breaking $3.5 billion on the race, according to Financial Times analysis.
High-Cost Events and Influencer Marketing
Event production costs were significant for Harris’s campaign, which paid $15 million to various companies for event services. Village Marketing Agency, a key vendor, received over $3.9 million to recruit social media influencers aimed at boosting Harris’s online appeal.
Campaign Debt and Internal Blame Game
Despite the massive financial outlay, Harris lost to Trump in both the Electoral College and popular vote. As campaign teams regroup, sources report that the Harris operation is in debt by around $20 million. Tensions have risen between Biden and Harris’s teams, with both sides pointing fingers over the extensive spending and failed strategy. A former Biden staffer expressed frustration, saying, “How did you spend $1 billion and not win?”
