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Rev. Al Sharpton has publicly refuted accusations from President Donald Trump regarding alleged payments for his endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris. During an appearance on MSNBC, Sharpton addressed these claims, asserting his unsupported stance.
Responding to a question from Jonathon Lemire, the host of “Morning Joe,” Sharpton categorically denied Trump’s assertion that he received compensation for endorsing Harris.
Sharpton stated, “Well, absolutely not. And as the FEC filings indicate, the campaign provided funds for get-out-the-vote efforts for the National Action Network, of which I’m a part, and several other civil rights organizations, some of which received larger amounts than National Action Network. Neither the organization nor I endorsed her.”
Expanding on the topic, he noted the ongoing discussions among National Action Network lawyers about the possibility of pursuing a defamation lawsuit against Trump for these allegations. Sharpton emphasized that Trump was aware there had been no endorsement and that he did not receive any financial compensation, which leads to questions of credibility.
Furthermore, Sharpton highlighted what he perceives as Trump’s attempt to divert attention from his own issues. He cited recent troubles involving Trump and noted the administration’s dismissal of having a client list concerning deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Sharpton remarked, “Last week, he was trying to flood the zone, attempting to alleviate any pressure on himself and rally his MAGA base. He began by declaring he would fire the Fed chief, which failed. Then he moved on to tariffs, which also didn’t gain traction. Ultimately, he resorted to what he knows best: race baiting, starting with the birther movement against Obama.”
Trump has also made indirect jabs at former President Obama, labeling him the “ringleader” of the purported Russiagate narrative, which Sharpton views as a strategy to deflect attention from the Epstein situation.
Sharpton expressed concern over racial undertones in Trump’s recent messaging, stating, “Then over the weekend, he brought up Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, and Beyoncé, all within the context of race. He is attempting to create a narrative where they are somehow involved in swapping money or holding back information, similar to the accusations against Obama and Russia. It’s all about seeking distraction from Epstein.”
Furthermore, Sharpton defended the integrity of National Action Network by asserting they have transparently conveyed their involvement in the campaign. He stated, “At the convention, I clarified that we don’t endorse candidates. We have provided all necessary documentation. I challenge Mr. Trump to release the Epstein files or remain silent.”
The White House has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding this dispute.
Sharpton recently participated in the 2024 Democratic National Convention, where he criticized President Trump’s record on race relations. He previously conducted an interview with Harris just before the election.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Sharpton, along with other prominent figures, had received payments to endorse Harris in the upcoming election. Trump alleged that he was scrutinizing substantial payments made by the Democrats following the presidential election, which included hefty sums to major celebrities such as Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey.
Trump referenced various payments in his post, declaring, “I’m looking at the large amount of money owed by the Democrats. They admitted to paying illegally over Eleven Million Dollars to Beyoncé for an endorsement she never delivered, along with payments to Oprah and Al Sharpton for doing nothing. These fees are incorrectly documented in the campaign’s financial statements. Payments made for endorsements are illegal.”
Looking into the finances, FEC records reveal that the Harris campaign made two payments totaling $500,000 to Oprah Winfrey’s production company shortly after her appearances at campaign events. These transactions were first reported after the election.
Sharpton’s vocal support for the Democratic Party and his critiques of Trump may come as no surprise. He faced scrutiny for not disclosing financial contributions from the Harris campaign to his nonprofit organization, which happened around the time of his interview with her.
During that interview, Sharpton asked Harris about her hopes for how history would remember her. Harris responded, saying she wished to be known for her dedication to fighting for people’s dignity and rights.
In closing, Sharpton expressed optimism that future generations would appreciate the struggles for justice that he and others represent, stating, “Some young boy or girl will speak of you as you spoke of Ms. Shirley Chisholm.” This comment drew parallels between Harris and the first Black woman elected to Congress.
As events unfold, Sharpton remains an outspoken figure amidst the political landscape, constantly challenging narratives while advocating for civil rights.
Contributions to this report also came from Fox News’ Brian Flood and Michael Lee.
