Harris's team speaks out about allegations of campaign debt.

The campaign of US Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic National Committee spent nearly $1.5 billion in their unsuccessful presidential campaign.

The figure was released by Harris's campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), according to Bloomberg today, November 16.

Previously, conservative media outlets reported that Harris's unsuccessful campaign had spent lavishly on events featuring celebrities like Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey, donations to activist groups, private jet charters, and advisors.

Oprah Winfrey and Democratic presidential candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris at a Harris campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 4.

But those expenditures, as well as the massive spending on advertising and campaigning efforts, did not result in a budget deficit, according to Bloomberg, citing announcements from Harris's campaign and the DNC.

Patrick Stauffer, campaign finance director for Harris, stated: "As of Election Day (November 5), there are no overdue debts or bills." He added that "there will be no debts" when the campaign and DNC submit their subsequent reports to the Federal Election Commission on December 5, which include expenses from October 17 to November 25.

Trump called for support for Harris to pay off $20 million in campaign expenses.

A source familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that criticism of certain payments, such as the $1 million paid to Winfrey's production company to stage an event, doesn't take into account campaign funding laws, which prohibit businesses from contributing to campaigns or providing services below market rates. While celebrities like Winfrey can appear at events for free, the campaign must cover the costs of organizing the event.

According to the same source, since losing to US President-elect Donald Trump after the official election on November 5th, Harris's campaign has stopped raising money and is gradually coming to an end. This process could take months or even years to collect and pay bills.

Previously, on November 6th, Politico reporter Christopher Cadelago, citing informed sources, reported that Harris's campaign fund had $118 million remaining as of October 16th. However, the campaign ended, leaving a debt of at least $20 million.

Furthermore, DNC finance official Lindy Li called Harris's campaign a "billion-dollar disaster." Speaking to Fox News on November 10th, Li stated that the campaign owes $18-20 million. "Harris's campaign leader, Jen O'Malley Dillon, promised all of us that Harris would win," Li said, adding that such promises motivate donors to contribute large sums of money, only to suffer a defeat.

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