Oprah Winfrey has dismissed reports claiming she was paid $1 million by Vice President Kamala Harris’ failed presidential campaign to host a virtual town hall during the 2024 race.
“I was paid nothing — ever,” Winfrey clarified when approached by a TMZ reporter on Monday as she walked to her car.
The reporter referenced allegations that the Harris campaign compensated Winfrey for hosting the “Unite for America” event, a star-studded virtual town hall held in September 2024.
“Not true,” Winfrey responded, reiterating her endorsement of Harris but denying any personal financial benefit.
The Washington Examiner reported last Friday that the Harris campaign had transferred $1 million to Harpo Productions, Winfrey’s company, on October 15. However, Harpo Productions denied the claim, stating that the payment covered production costs for the event rather than a fee for Winfrey.
“The campaign paid for the production costs of ‘Unite for America,’ a livestreaming event that took place Sept. 19 outside Detroit, Mich.,” a Harpo spokesperson explained to Variety. “Oprah Winfrey was at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee, nor did she receive a fee from Harpo.”
Harpo Productions declined to reveal the total production costs for the event, which featured an array of high-profile celebrities.
Winfrey also made a personal appearance with Harris at a rally in Philadelphia on November 4, 2024, the eve of Election Day.
“We’re voting for values and integrity,” Winfrey said during the rally. “We’re voting for healing over hate.”