A recent claim circulating online alleges that former President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to call for the prosecution of former Vice President Kamala Harris. The claim also states that celebrities such as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Reverend Al Sharpton were illegally paid by Harris’s campaign in exchange for their endorsements. According to the story, Trump accused Harris of violating campaign finance laws by disguising these payments and failing to report them properly.
The viral post cites USA Today as the source of Trump’s remarks. It includes a supposed quotation in which Trump insisted that Democrats owed “a large amount of money” after the election and argued that endorsements cannot be purchased legally. The statement concludes with Trump emphasizing in all caps that paying for endorsements is “TOTALLY ILLEGAL.”
However, there is no evidence that this event took place. Neither USA Today nor any other reputable news outlet has published such a story. Additionally, none of Trump’s verified posts on Truth Social contain the alleged language. High-profile figures such as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Reverend Al Sharpton have not been credibly linked to illegal campaign finance activity on behalf of Harris.
This story has the hallmarks of political misinformation. It blends familiar figures, dramatic accusations, and fabricated quotes in a way designed to provoke strong reactions. Because Trump’s public statements are typically covered widely across mainstream and partisan outlets alike, the absence of reliable reporting strongly suggests the story is false.
It is also important to understand how campaign finance rules work. Federal election law requires campaigns to disclose all spending, and while endorsements are common in politics, direct payments to individuals for endorsements would indeed raise legal concerns. That said, no regulatory filings or investigations have surfaced to suggest Harris’s campaign engaged in such practices.
Ultimately, this example demonstrates the importance of fact-checking political claims before sharing them. False stories often spread quickly online, particularly when they involve well-known politicians and celebrities. By consulting trusted news sources and cross-referencing quotes or allegations, readers can protect themselves from being misled by fabricated narratives.
