Al Sharpton’s nonprofit got $500K from Kamala Harris before softball interview

Amid rumors that the Harris-Walz campaign doled out millions of dollars to various entertainers and celebrities who then voiced support for the failed Democratic nominee, it should come as no surprise that shakedown artist Al Sharpton’s name came up.

That’s according to the New York Post, which reported that Team Kamalot “funneled some $500,000 to the Rev. Al Sharpton’s nonprofit, the National Action Network, prior to the vice president’s softball sit-down interview with the civil rights activist.”

Citing the Washington Free Beacon, the Post said Federal Election Commission reports show the Harris campaign made two donations of $250,000 to Sharpton’s group on Sept. 5 and Oct. 1 respectively — three weeks later, on Oct. 20, Harris sat down with Sharpton for a softball interview on MSNBC.

“The cash flow came in the context of payments totaling $5.4 million to various black and Latino activist organizations as the campaign set its sights on galvanizing support among minority voters,” the Post reported.

Neither MSNBC nor Al Sharpton disclosed the donations to the National Action Network during the interview.

Oprah Winfrey was also named after Harpo Productions reportedly received $1 million from the Harris-Walz campaign, with the payout coming after Oprah hosted a town hall with Harris in September. After the Oct. 15 payment, Oprah would make an appearance at Harris’ final campaign rally in Philadelphia.

When approached by TMZ about the report, Oprah replied, “I was paid nothing — ever.”

But a $1 million payout did occur.

“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 said in a statement to Variety. “Oprah Winfrey was at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee, nor did she receive a fee from Harpo.”

Other names rumored to have received money include Beyoncé, who gave Kamala Harris a ringing endorsement in Houston, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, and Eminem.

After raking in more than $1 billion, the Harris-Walz campaign is reportedly $20 million in debt and fundraising under the guise of a “recount” campaign.

Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on the social media platform X:

Tom Tillison

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