In another late-night social media tirade, former President Donald Trump escalated his ongoing feud with Bruce Springsteen by demanding a “major investigation” into payments made to the rock legend and other celebrities for their appearances during Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign.
The controversy reignited after Springsteen launched his “Land of Hope & Dreams” tour last week, slamming the Trump administration as “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous.”
Trump shot back, calling Springsteen a “dried out prune of a rocker” who should “KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.”
Springsteen responded from the stage, labeling Trump “unfit” and accusing his administration of “persecuting people for their right to free speech.” The verbal sparring quickly spilled over onto social media.
Trump’s latest post targets not just Springsteen, but also Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Bono, accusing them of accepting illegal campaign payments for their support during Harris’s unsuccessful run.
“HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE?” Trump wrote. “WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN? ISN’T THAT ILLEGAL? WHAT ABOUT BEYONCÉ, OPRAH, AND BONO? I am calling for a major investigation.”
Springsteen performed at a Harris rally in Philadelphia last October, while Beyoncé spoke at one in Houston.
Oprah hosted a $1 million town hall for the campaign, and Bono publicly criticized Trump’s foreign policies, though his direct involvement with the campaign remains unclear.
Democratic officials have already faced scrutiny over Harris’s campaign spending, which topped $1 billion but failed to secure any battleground states.
Senior advisers have insisted the campaign did not pay artists directly for endorsements. Adrienne Elrod, a senior Harris campaign spokesperson, told Deadline, “We have never paid any artist or performer.”
Campaign filings reveal payments to Springsteen’s production company for “travel and event production” costs, totaling around $75,000, while Beyoncé’s production company received $165,000 after her Houston rally appearance.
Oprah’s team was also reimbursed for production expenses, but the star herself has said she did not take a personal fee.
Despite the clarifications, Trump insists the expenditures violate campaign finance laws by disguising endorsements as entertainment payments.
“Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS under the guise of entertainment,” Trump claimed. “It’s corrupt and unlawful.”
As the battle of words rages on, the political and entertainment worlds watch closely to see if Trump’s call for an investigation gains any traction — or if it’s simply the latest episode in his ongoing war with his critics.
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