Singer Taylor Swift has endorsed Kamala Harris for president in the 2024 election, citing the Democratic candidate as a “steady-handed, gifted leader” who can bring calm to the country. In a post on Instagram, Swift encouraged her 283 million followers to register to vote and emphasized the importance of doing research on the candidates. This endorsement comes after Swift watched the US presidential debate between Harris and Trump, and addressed the spread of AI-generated images falsely depicting her endorsing Trump.
Swift’s endorsement was met with mixed reactions, with some dismissing it as coming from a wealthy elite and others praising her courage in standing up for her beliefs. This is not the first time Swift has endorsed Democratic candidates, having previously supported Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Her endorsement has also led to the creation of the Swifties for Kamala Coalition, which has raised significant funds for the Democratic candidate.
Research has shown that celebrity endorsements can have an impact on elections, with Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 being estimated to have influenced about a million votes. Swift’s endorsement, especially with her large fanbase and focus on women’s rights, may encourage younger Gen Z fans to vote in the upcoming election. Ultimately, Swift’s endorsement highlights the intersection of politics and celebrity influence in shaping public opinion and voter turnout.
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