Oprah Winfrey is setting the record straight after a recent report claimed she received a $1 million payment for her support of Kamala Harris during the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The renowned media mogul firmly denied the allegations, calling them “untrue” and stating that she did not receive any payment for her involvement in the campaign.
The controversy emerged on November 8, when Washington Examiner published a report alleging that Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Productions, was paid $1 million by Harris’ campaign. The report suggested the payment was part of a larger $1 billion fundraising effort by Kamala Harris’ team to support her run for president. According to federal filings cited in the article, the Harris campaign spent more than $15 million on “event production,” including the reported $1 million for a celebrity-filled town hall hosted by Winfrey.
The event, dubbed “Unite for America,” took place on September 19 and featured a star-studded lineup, including comedian Chris Rock, singer Jennifer Lopez, and actress Meryl Streep. Winfrey also appeared as a keynote speaker at Kamala Harris’ rally in Philadelphia, fueling speculation about her level of financial involvement.
However, Winfrey was quick to rebut the claims. In an interview with TMZ, the 70-year-old television icon asserted, “Not true. I was paid nothing ever.” She further clarified that her participation in the event was driven by her personal support for Harris, not for financial compensation.
Harpo Productions also issued a statement in response to the allegations. The company confirmed that while the Harris campaign had covered the costs associated with the town hall, Winfrey herself did not receive any personal payment for her role. “Oprah Winfrey was at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee, nor did she receive a fee from Harpo,” the statement read.
