CNN's Taylor Swift Backs Kamala Harris Post-Debate
The Celebrity Endorsement That Could Shift Politics
Global superstar Taylor Swift on Tuesday announced her support for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign in a highly anticipated endorsement that could energize millions of so-called Swifties. The “Fortnight” singer endorsed the Democratic nominee in an Instagram post moments after Harris’ first debate with Donald Trump wrapped up.
“Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight,” Swift wrote. “If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most.
As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country,” Swift continued, signing the post “childless cat lady,” a reference to controversial remarks from Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance. Swift's endorsement comes after her close friend Brittany Mahomes made headlines in recent weeks for publicly supporting Trump.
Swift’s Influence on Political Engagement
Swift didn’t endorse President Joe Biden before he dropped out of the race, but she also didn’t endorse the Biden-Harris ticket in 2020 until about a month before the election. Her reach is arguably unmatched, as she has over 280 million Instagram followers, far surpassing Harris’ 17 million and Trump's 26 million.
Yet, questions remain: Does this translate to actual political influence? Scholars and pundits have debated the effectiveness of celebrity endorsements for years. A PolitiFact article noted that while Swift’s potential involvement is significant, it doesn’t guarantee voter turnout. Vote.org saw a staggering 1,226% increase in participation just after Swift's Instagram post urging followers to register to vote.
As MSNBC's Ari Melber stated, “Many Republicans correctly view Taylor as an influential force. Her impact transitions from culture and music to wider civic engagement, potentially shaping turnout.” Regardless of whether Swift's endorsement leads to significant outcomes for the Harris-Walz ticket, its importance hasn’t gone unnoticed in the political arena.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.