Black Churches Call for Investigation Into Al Sharpton’s $500K Donation From Kamala Harris
A coalition of African American churches is calling for an investigation into MSNBC host Rev. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network (NAN) after reports of undisclosed donations from Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign surfaced. The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), representing 27.7 million members and 150,000 churches, has demanded Sharpton’s suspension and transparency regarding the $500,000 campaign contributions.
The controversy erupted after MSNBC admitted it was “unaware” of the payments made by Harris’s campaign to NAN shortly before Sharpton conducted a favorable interview with Harris on October 20, just weeks before the election. Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings revealed two donations of $250,000 each in September and October. These contributions were reportedly part of a $5.4 million campaign effort to boost Harris’s favorability among Black and Latino voters.
Critics argue the undisclosed financial relationship raises ethical concerns, especially as Sharpton is both a prominent journalist and civil rights leader. The Washington Free Beacon, which broke the story, highlighted the conflict of interest, noting that Sharpton failed to inform MSNBC executives or viewers about the campaign contributions.
Rev. Anthony Evans, President of the NBCI, condemned the lack of transparency, describing it as a “moral stain” on the Black Church. “The integrity of the Black Church and journalism cannot be undermined by undisclosed financial dealings,” Evans said. “Rev. Sharpton owes both the community and his viewers a full explanation of these payments, which raise significant questions about impartiality and trust.”
NBCI’s demands have sparked intense debate about media ethics and the influence of political donations on civil rights organizations. Critics argue that Sharpton and MSNBC should have disclosed the payments, particularly given their timing and Sharpton’s influence as an activist and network host.
As the calls for accountability grow louder, Sharpton and MSNBC have yet to respond to NBCI’s demands. The controversy underscores ongoing concerns about the intersection of politics, media, and the Black Church’s role in advocating for transparency and ethical leadership.