May 21, 2025 The Skanner Portland & Seattle Page 5
Arts & Entertainment
Trump Demands Probe of Celebs Who Backed Harris
In a series of overnight social media posts filled with capital letters and accusations, Trump called for a
federal investigation into pop and cultural icons Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen, and Bono.
By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior
National Correspondent
P
resident
Donald
Trump’s latest ti-
rade marks a new
chapter in what
critics call one of modern
history’s angriest and
most vengeful post-elec-
tion victory laps. Despite
reclaiming the White
House, Trump and his
inner circle continue to
lash out—not at rivals
in government, but at
celebrities who backed
his 2024 opponent, Vice
President Kamala Har-
ris. In a series of over-
night social media posts
filled with capital letters
and accusations, Trump
called for a federal in-
vestigation into pop and
cultural icons Beyoncé,
Oprah Winfrey, Bruce
Springsteen, and Bono.
The reason: their sup-
port for Harris during
the campaign. Trump
baselessly accused them
of being “illegally com-
pensated” under the
guise of performance or
production
contracts,
calling the endorsements
“a desperate effort to ar-
tificially build up her
sparse crowds.” “Can-
didates aren’t allowed
to pay for ENDORSE-
MENTS,” Trump wrote.
“This was a very expen-
sive and desperate ef-
fort… IT’S NOT LEGAL!”
Springsteen was al-
ready in Trump’s cross-
hairs after criticizing the
administration during
a concert in England,
calling it “corrupt, in-
“
Donald
Trump is
an unfit
president
who per-
secutes
people for
exercis-
ing free
speech
competent, and treason-
ous.” Trump fired back
by attacking the New
Jersey rock legend’s ap-
pearance, labeling him
a “dried out prune of
a rocker” who should
“KEEP HIS MOUTH
SHUT.”
Springsteen
didn’t stay silent. During
his next performance,
he fired back. “Donald
Trump is an unfit pres-
ident who persecutes
people for exercising
free speech,” the “Born in
the U.S.A.” singer insist-
ed. That response only
fueled Trump’s fury.
In another outburst,
the president accused
Springsteen—along with
Beyoncé, Winfrey, and
Bono—of violating cam-
paign finance laws. The
Harris campaign, which
raised over $1 billion, has
disclosed payments to
Beyoncé’s Parkwood En-
tertainment ($165,000)
and Oprah’s Harpo Pro-
ductions ($1 million).
Both companies con-
firmed the funds covered
staff and production
costs, not personal pay-
ments. Oprah addressed
the issue directly. “I did
not receive any person-
al fee,” she wrote online.
“However, the people
who worked on that pro-
duction needed to be
paid. And were. End of
story.” Beyoncé’s mother
also publicly defended
her daughter, calling the
rumors “fake news” and
stating
unequivocally,
“She did not receive a
penny.”
Still, Trump appears
determined to weapon-
ize the Department of
Justice against entertain-
ers who oppose him. “At
1:34 AM, Trump called
for DOJ to investigate
Kamala Harris, Beyoncé,
Springsteen, Oprah, and
others for crimes,” said
Ron Filipkowski, editor
of
MeidasTouch.com.
“Then he made another
deranged post about it
at 9:11 AM.” Critics say
the president’s obsession
with silencing his critics
‘Ballet the Black Way: Honoring
Roots, Inspiring Dreams’ Offers
Summer Programs for Youth
Meet and Greet with Jill Giedt to be held Saturday,
May 31, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Albina Arts
Trump called for a federal investigation into pop and cultural icons Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce
Springsteen, and Bono. The reason: their support for Harris during the campaign.
has become more than
a personality trait—it’s
a strategy. “Trump isn’t
threatening
Beyoncé,
Springsteen, Bono, and
Oprah because he ex-
pects them to be charged
with anything,” said
Navy veteran Jared Ryan
Sears. “He is threaten-
ing them to intimidate
others from speaking up
or supporting his oppo-
sition. That is because
Trump fears your voice;
he fears the power of the
people.” Fox News con-
tributor and host Jessica
Tarlov added, “Donald
Trump spent the night
ranting about investigat-
ing Beyoncé so that you
would forget that House
Republicans just moved
a bill forward that would
cut Medicaid. Don’t let
them get away with it.”
Take a Break
If you’ve been thinking
about your gambling, you
might be wondering how
much is too much. You might
be considering the time
and money you’ve spent or
evaluating the way gambling
makes you feel. Maybe a loved
one has even brought it up
once or twice. But where do
you start when you’re ready to
make a change?
Help Your Way
Photo courtesy Jill Geidt
T
he community is invited to learn
about PassinArt’s new Summer
Camp and reserve a spot. Summer
programs are now open for enroll-
ment and will run July through August.
The Meet & Greet is a wonderful op-
portunity to hear directly from Jill
Giedt, the founder and artistic director
of Ballet the Black Way, and learn how
your child can join this inspiring pro-
gram this summer.
During the meet-and-greet, Jill will
also share her personal story, vision,
and the reasons why she started Ballet
the Black Way—creating a program
rooted in culture, creativity, and com-
munity.
What to Expect at the Meet & Greet:
• Meet the founder and see the new
community space at the Albina Art
Center, 16 NE Killingsworth.
• Learn more about the summer camp
and how your child can be part of it.
Register and learn more at http://Jill-
Giedt.com.
If you’re considering cutting
back on gambling — for now or
forever — there’s help. Oregon
Problem Gambling Resource
(OPGR) has a free quiz, tools,
and an app to help you take
charge. Visit OPGR.org and
learn how a few small steps
can make a big impact.
Call, text or chat. Visit us at OPGR.org