Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah & Bono: Entertainment or In‑Kind Gifts?
Bruce Springsteen. Campaign filings show $225,000 to E Street Touring LLC for a 30‑minute acoustic set at a Clarkston, GA rally. If investigators believe the “set” was cover for an endorsement, they’ll compare that figure to Springsteen’s private‑event rate. Subpoenaed booking contracts could make or break the case.
Beyoncé. Production‑company invoices list $165,000 in stage and audio rentals for a Houston rally where she “spoke and walked.” Critics note no full musical performance occurred. Was the fee equipment or endorsement? Expect forensic accounting. The Guardian
Oprah Winfrey. Harpo Productions billed $1 million for a Philadelphia town‑hall format. If Oprah’s star power was the product—and no tangible production costs justify the price—FEC lawyers may label the excess a prohibited corporate contribution.
Bono. The U2 frontman’s appearance at a Des Moines unity concert cost $450,000, per campaign disbursements. The Irish singer’s foreign‑national status raises an extra hurdle: foreign nationals may not “directly or indirectly” influence U.S. elections (52 U.S.C. §30121). Payments to him could be legal expenditures, but his on‑stage endorsement could be an illegal foreign contribution, even if he waived his fee.
The Harris campaign is also reported to have paid $5M to Megan Thee Stallion, $3M to Lizzo, and $1.8M for Eminem.
