Big Oprah Winfrey Event Cost Kamala Harris Campaign $2.5 Million, Over Twice than Earlier Reported

New FEC filings have revealed that Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign spent $2.5 million on a town hall event with Oprah Winfrey—more than double the $1 million initially reported.

The filings show two $500,000 payments to Winfrey’s Harpo Productions on October 15, but sources told The New York Times that additional costs brought the total to $2.5 million.

Record-Breaking Campaign Spending

Harris’ campaign spent $1.5 billion over its 15-week run, equating to $100 million per week.

The Democratic Party now faces $20 million in debt, with donors expressing frustration over constant fundraising requests.

Reports highlighted high-end purchases, including nearly $9,000 on premium ice cream and $15,000 on food delivery services.

Celebrity Events Dominate the Budget

The campaign invested heavily in star-studded events, with the Detroit town hall featuring Oprah Winfrey among the costliest.

Oprah Winfrey clarified she received no personal payment, with Oprah’s Harpo Productions confirming the funds covered production costs like lighting, crew salaries, and equipment.

Swing-state rallies with performers such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry also pushed budgets beyond planned limits, costing over $10 million.

While the performers were not paid, extensive logistical support significantly drove up expenses.

Extravagant Advertising and Travel Costs

In a last-ditch effort to sway voters, the Harris campaign spent $900,000 on Las Vegas’ Sphere for advertising during the final week of the election, a strategy that failed to deliver Nevada’s votes.

Private jet travel during a two-week October period added another $2.6 million to the campaign’s overall spending.

Trump Mocks Campaign Finances

Former President Donald Trump took a jab at Harris’ financial missteps, sarcastically offering to help the campaign “during this difficult period” in a social media post.

Massive Spending Leaves Lingering Questions

Harris’ campaign also spent $111 million on online ads, $70 million on mail campaigns, and $50 million for paid canvassers despite emphasizing volunteer efforts.

Critics argue the extravagant spending on celebrity appearances and luxury expenses failed to yield the desired electoral results, leaving the Democratic Party in a financial bind ahead of future campaigns.

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