As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, Taylor Swift’s public endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz has sparked diverse reactions. Swift, who has an enormous global fanbase, has encouraged her followers to support the Democratic ticket. New polling data, however, suggests that the endorsement has received a mixed response from the public.
A YouGov poll suggests that Swift’s endorsement may have had a negative effect on some voters. While 8% of those surveyed stated they were “somewhat” or “much more likely” to vote for Harris due to Swift’s support, a higher proportion, 20%, said they were now “somewhat” or “much less likely” to cast their vote for Harris. However, the majority, at 66%, reported that Swift’s endorsement had no impact on their voting decisions.
In an Instagram post that received over 10 million likes, Swift announced her support for Harris, describing her as a “steady-handed” and “gifted leader.” She also expressed her belief in Harris’ ability to advocate for the issues and principles that are important to her.
The endorsement was swiftly responded to by the Trump campaign. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the campaign, criticized Swift’s support for Harris, stating, “This is further evidence that the Democrat Party, unfortunately, is the party of the wealthy elite.”
Swift’s endorsement came after the first presidential debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump, where many observers declared Harris the victor. Swift also addressed misinformation, specifically false reports that she had endorsed Trump.
Despite the mixed response, Swift’s endorsement led to a significant uptick in voter registration. More than 400,000 people accessed voter registration information via the link she shared within 24 hours of her post, illustrating the substantial influence of her words, especially among younger voters, a key demographic for both campaigns.
Harris has expressed her appreciation for Swift’s endorsement. During a radio interview, she said, “I am very honored to have their support,” referring to Swift and other celebrities who have shown their support for her campaign.
The role of celebrity endorsements in the 2024 election remains a contentious topic. With current polls showing Harris slightly leading Trump, the impact of Swift’s endorsement on the final election results is yet to be determined.
