Kamala Harris Campaign's Last-Minute Concerts May Cost $20M Amid Financial Woes

Amidst the electoral whirlwind, the Kamala Harris campaign reportedly spent a whopping $20 million on pre-election concerts, a strategy that failed to secure a victory against Donald Trump.

The campaign faces significant debt issues, sparking concerns among staff and vendors about the financial decisions made.

Star-Studded Effort in Swing States

The Kamala Harris campaign organized concerts in several key swing states on the eve of the election, hoping to draw lower-propensity voters. Performances by stars like Jon Bon Jovi, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and 2 Chainz lit up cities including Detroit, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. The campaign intended these events to galvanize support and turnout.

Despite the performers donating their time, the scale of these events required vast amounts of resources. The campaign's chairwoman, Jen O'Malley Dillon, green-lit the costly concert plan while harboring reservations about its financial feasibility.

Budget Overruns and Cancelled Performances

To keep the soaring costs under control, the campaign had to make tough decisions, such as canceling Alanis Morissette’s performance. This came as part of broader efforts to curb spending as the campaign's financial health waned. “They had huge advance teams for these concerts, like 40-60 people in some cities,” revealed a campaign insider.

A source familiar with the campaign's budget management commented, "They said they were ‘spending to zero.’ I guess they overshot zero." This sentiment reflects the dire financial straits faced as the campaign concluded.

Concerts' Impact on the Election Outcome

Despite the campaign's massive effort and investment, the concerts did not sway the election results in Harris's favor. Trump was elected in the very swing states where these concerts were held. The efforts to draw crowds seemed insufficient against the backdrop of early voting and pervasive voter concerns about economic issues.

A campaign source criticized the effectiveness of the concerts, stating, "It didn’t matter to have a bunch of celebrities talking to no one because one, 75 million people already voted and two, people were concerned about their own financial issues, not Oprah telling them America won’t exist."

Notable Voices Raise Concerns

Oprah Winfrey, speaking at the Philadelphia concert, underscored the stakes of the election with her remark, "We will not have the opportunity to cast a ballot again" if Trump wins. Her statement aimed to underscore the importance of every vote in what was a highly polarized election environment.

As the campaign's financial challenges continue to unfold, efforts are ongoing to reconcile the balance sheets. The campaign ended with at least $20 million in debt, raising alarms about its sustainability and future commitments.

The financial fallout from the campaign's last-minute push raises significant questions about the decision-making processes and the sustainability of such high-cost political strategies. With vendors and staff concerned about payments, the political and financial repercussions of these decisions will likely resonate beyond the election cycle.