This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump is calling for a "major investigation" into celebrity endorsements, calling them "illegal" campaign contributions, as his feud with rock star Bruce Springsteen continues.
In a message posted early Monday morning on Truth Social, Trump used all capital letters to state:
"HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT? WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN OF HERS?
"ISN'T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION? WHAT ABOUT BEYONCÉ? …AND HOW MUCH WENT TO OPRAH, AND BONO???
"I am going to call for a major investigation into this matter. Candidates aren't allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment.
"In addition, this was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds. IT'S NOT LEGAL! For these unpatriotic "entertainers," this was just a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL way to capitalize on a broken system. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!"
In a follow-up message later in the day, Trump added: "According to news reports, Beyoncé was paid $11,000,000 to walk onto a stage, quickly ENDORSE KAMALA, and walk off to loud booing for never having performed, NOT EVEN ONE SONG!
"Remember, the Democrats and Kamala illegally paid her millions of Dollars for doing nothing other than giving Kamala a full throated ENDORSEMENT.
"THIS IS AN ILLEGAL ELECTION SCAM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL! IT IS AN ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION! BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, OPRAH, BONO AND, PERHAPS, MANY OTHERS, HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!"
The president's remarks come in the wake of Springsteen's hammering of Trump during concerts in Manchester, England, in which "the Boss" said on stage May 17:
"My home America, the America I've written about that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration."
"Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American spirit to rise with us, raise your voices and stand with us against authoritarianism and let freedom ring."
Before performing "My City of Ruins," Springsteen noted: "There's some very weird, strange, and dangerous (expletive) going on out there right now."
"In America, they are persecuting people for using their right to free speech and voicing their dissent. This is happening now."
Last week, in response to Springsteen, Trump posted: "I see that Highly Overrated Bruce Springsteen goes to a Foreign Country to speak badly about the President of the United States."
"Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he's not a talented guy − Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent FOOL, and our WORST EVER President, who came close to destroying our Country."
The president hinted there could be consequences if the rock star had made his remarks on American soil.
"This dried out 'prune' of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country, that's just 'standard fare,'" Trump said.
"Then we'll all see how it goes for him!"
On May 16, the American Federation of Musicians voiced support for both Springsteen and pop superstar Taylor Swift, of whom Trump said: "Has anyone noticed that, since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT?'"
"The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada will not remain silent as two of our members − Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift − are singled out and personally attacked by the President of the United States," the organization said.
"Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift are not just brilliant musicians, they are role models and inspirations to millions of people in the United States and across the world. … Musicians have the right to freedom of expression, and we stand in solidarity with all our members."
