Let’s break this down because, frankly, it’s a case study in excess and mismanagement. Vice President Kamala Harris’ ill-fated presidential campaign just gave us another headline: reportedly dropping a whopping $2.5 million on an Oprah Winfrey town hall event. Yes, $2.5 million. Not for housing the homeless, not for disaster relief—but for a chat with Oprah.
The campaign originally reported two payments of $500,000 each to Harpo Productions, Oprah’s company. But, as always, there’s more than meets the eye. Sources told The New York Times the full tab was closer to $2.5 million. And where’s the accountability? Oprah claims she personally didn’t see a dime, and Harpo Productions insists the cash was just for “production costs.” So, the next time you can’t fill your gas tank, take comfort in knowing Harris’ campaign can afford luxury production budgets.
Everyone who accused Oprah of getting paid $1,000,000 to support Kamala must immediately retract, issue a correction, and apologize.
The total cost was actually $2,500,000. pic.twitter.com/fIKX02o6gs
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 17, 2024
This spending spree doesn’t stop there. Harris’ campaign reportedly blew through $1.5 billion in just 15 weeks—yes, a billion with a B. That’s $100 million a week. What did all that cash buy? Well, $9,000 went to ice cream from bougie spots like Sweet Lucy’s and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Apparently, gourmet ice cream is a campaign priority. Another $15,000 vanished into Uber Eats and DoorDash orders. Because, you know, managing America’s future starts with artisanal food deliveries.
And let’s not forget the $2.6 million spent on private jet travel in just two weeks. While the rest of us are pinching pennies on airline baggage fees, Harris’ campaign flew high. They even dropped $900,000 to plaster her face on Las Vegas’ iconic Sphere during the final week of the election—only to lose Nevada by three points. Money well spent, right?
REPORT: The full price tag of Kamala Harris’ town hall event with Oprah was $2.5M, not $1M like initially reported, according to the Daily Beast.
A bombshell new report reveals how Harris burned through $1.5B in just 15 weeks.
Here is where some of the money went:
– $900,000… pic.twitter.com/6LlGcnt9lH
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 17, 2024
What’s truly stunning is how much of this spending went to celebrity partnerships and influencer gigs. It’s almost as if the campaign thought throwing cash at pop culture would paper over glaring issues. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
I’m going to say this again – why didn’t Oprah do this for free and give the money to people in need or a food bank? Why did she have to be paid to endorse Harris? And why would she be worth this $$$?
There is a deep rot in American celebrity and campaign money. https://t.co/of0kGG1E6p
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) November 18, 2024
Meanwhile, Democratic donors are still being pestered for more cash, and the Democratic Party is reportedly $20 million in debt from this extravaganza. That’s the cherry on top of this fiscal disaster sundae.
This isn’t just bad optics; it’s a masterclass in mismanagement. While Americans grapple with inflation, rising energy costs, and mounting debt, Harris’ campaign showed us how to spend recklessly without a shred of self-awareness. Let this be a lesson in priorities—or the lack thereof.