Al Sharpton Rebuts Trump’s Paid Endorsement Claim for Kamala Harris

Rev. Al Sharpton has fired back at accusations from President Donald Trump, who claimed on social media that Sharpton was paid to endorse Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Speaking on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Sharpton categorically denied the allegations, clarifying that neither he nor his organization, the National Action Network, endorsed Harris. Instead, he explained that funds from the Harris campaign were allocated to various civil rights groups, including his nonprofit, for get-out-the-vote initiatives.

Sharpton didn’t hold back, suggesting that Trump’s repeated claims could warrant a defamation lawsuit, as the President was aware there was no personal endorsement or direct payment to him. "This isn’t just a misunderstanding; it’s a pattern," Sharpton argued, pointing to Trump’s history of race-baiting tactics, from the birther conspiracy against Barack Obama to recent attacks on Harris, Oprah Winfrey, and others. He also took a sharp jab at Trump’s distractions, urging him to release the Epstein files if he wants to talk transparency.

Adding fuel to the fire, FEC filings reveal the Harris campaign made significant payments to figures like Oprah Winfrey and Sharpton’s nonprofit, though Sharpton insists these were unrelated to endorsements. During a pre-election interview with Harris, which coincided with her 60th birthday, Sharpton drew parallels between her and trailblazer Shirley Chisholm, hinting at the historical weight of her journey. Yet, questions linger about undisclosed conflicts of interest during such public interactions.

Trump, in a fiery Truth Social post, doubled down, alleging illegal payments for endorsements to multiple high-profile figures, including Sharpton, Winfrey, and Beyoncé. While the accusations remain unproven, they’ve ignited a fierce debate about campaign finance ethics and political mudslinging. As this saga unfolds, it’s clear the intersection of race, power, and money will keep dominating headlines.