Conservatives Slam MSNBC After Al Sharpton’s $500K Payout from Harris’ Campaign Before ‘Gushing’ Interview
Sharpton’s $500K Windfall Raises Eyebrows
MSNBC’s Rev. Al Sharpton is under fire from conservatives after allegedly receiving $500,000 from Kamala Harris’ campaign. The payments, made in two $250,000 installments to Sharpton’s National Action Network on September 5 and October 1, have raised questions about their timing and potential influence on the subsequent interview with the vice president.
Birthday Tribute Raises Timing Concerns
Just days after the second payment on October 3, Sharpton shared a clip of Harris wishing him a happy birthday on his MSNBC show, affectionately calling him “Rev.” Then, on October 20, Sharpton’s interview with Harris aired. The timing of the interview, coming so soon after these payments, has fueled concerns. During the interview, Sharpton praised Harris’ “extraordinary historic campaign” and disparaged former President Donald Trump as “hostile and erratic.” The conservative Washington Free Beacon highlighted the timing and tone of the interview, noting that Sharpton’s questions closely aligned with Harris’ campaign messaging.
Critics Cry ‘Manipulation’
Billionaire hedge fund manager and vocal Trump supporter Bill Ackman has publicly criticized the payments, describing them as an attempt to “manipulate the audience.” His comments echo a growing conservative sentiment that financial arrangements between journalists and political campaigns compromise media objectivity.
MSNBC’s Silence Fuels Speculation
MSNBC has so far remained silent on the payments, sidestepping questions about the ethical implications of Sharpton’s ties to Harris’ campaign. Media watchdogs and political analysts are now speculating whether the network will respond, given their historical stance on political contributions among their hosts.