In an extravagant and contentious spending spree, Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign has come under fire for spending over $1 billion in a mere three months.

The campaign's controversial financial decisions, including payments to celebrities, use of private aircraft, and contributions to activist groups, left it with a significant debt of $20 million, as Fox News reports.

FEC filings reveal some of the most notable expenditures of the Harris campaign during this period.

Celebrity influence was significantly harnessed during the campaign, with two substantial payments of $500,000 each made to Oprah Winfrey’s production company on Oct. 15. Oprah joined Harris for public events, including a town hall and a rally in Philadelphia.

The campaign's strategy also embraced the use of influencers, with $4 million directed to Village Marketing Agency to connect with renowned public figures.

Celebrities such as Beyoncé, Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Bruce Springsteen lent their star power to the campaign.

The campaign also directed significant funds to digital media, spending over $12 million on consultants and investing heavily in a podcast setup for the popular show Call Her Daddy. Additionally, at least $15 million was allocated for "event production."

Financial Strategy Invites Skepticism

As part of its outreach efforts, the campaign made significant contributions to activist organizations like the Black Voters Matter Fund and Black Church PAC.

FEC records indicate these groups received six-figure sums in September, reflecting the campaign's alignment with specific social causes.

Private jets also became a necessity for the Harris campaign, with $4 million spent on such travel accommodations.

Despite raising a substantial amount of over $1 billion, by Oct. 16, $118 million remained in the campaign bank. However, this considerable fundraising feat did not cover all costs, as the campaign now faces a $20 million debt.

The distribution of campaign funds has attracted widespread attention and criticism from various quarters, including high-profile figures.

Public Figures Weigh In On Controversy

On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), GOP Rep. Greg Murphy expressed dismay over the payments to Oprah Winfrey, who he called out as a billionaire involved in the campaign’s financial maneuvers.

Despite this, Winfrey has publicly stated she received no personal payment, a statement echoed by her spokesperson who clarified that no fee from Harpo, her company, was involved.

Capturing further media attention, Jordan Belfort, also known as the "Wolf of Wall Street," likened the campaign's financial operations to fraudulent money activities. He expressed to Fox News his disbelief upon learning about the exorbitant campaign expenditures.

Meanwhile, Lindy Li, a surrogate for Harris and a DNC National Finance Committee member, candidly labeled the campaign's financial situation as disastrous.

President-elect Offers Public Comment

Acknowledging the situation, President-elect Donald Trump offered remarks about the Democrat campaign’s financial management.

Highlighting the record-making fundraising in previous elections, he voiced his surprise at the lack of surplus funds.

Despite the outcry, the Harris campaign has yet to provide a formal response to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding its financial moves and ensuing debt. This silence has only intensified the scrutiny of their fiscal approach.

Overall, the fallout from the campaign’s lavish spending continues to unfold. Observers from both political spectrums watch closely as the implications of such financial choices surface. The Harris campaign's journey serves as a focal point for debates on fundraising ethics and accountability in the political arena.