Despite Taylor Swift’s endorsement of the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket during the 2024 presidential race, President-elect Donald Trump emerged victorious, raising questions about the influence of celebrity endorsements on American voters.
Swift, who had been named TIME magazine’s "Person of the Year" in 2023, supported the Harris-Walz campaign in a widely publicized Instagram post following Trump’s September debate with Harris.
Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement
MORE NEWS: Passenger Bites Officer After Refusing to Pay for Baggage in Chaotic Plane Scuffle [WATCH]
In her endorsement to her 238 million Instagram followers, Swift wrote, “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader, and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”
Swift also praised Walz, writing, “I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”
In addition to urging her followers to vote, Swift shared a link to Vote.gov to help fans register.
The site reportedly saw over 400,000 visitors in under 24 hours. Swift signed the endorsement with a tongue-in-cheek reference to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance’s past comments about “childless cat ladies,” a remark that Vance has defended as being taken out of context.
FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest
Despite Swift’s influence, Trump’s victory suggests her endorsement had limited sway.
According to AP VoteCast, 44% of women aged 18-44 and 48% of women 45 and older voted for Trump.
These numbers defied expectations that Swift’s younger, predominantly female fan base would overwhelmingly align with her political stance.
Polling conducted after Swift’s endorsement revealed a divided public opinion.
A New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena College poll found 44% of respondents viewed Swift favorably, while 34% held an unfavorable opinion. Among Republicans, 60% expressed unfavorable views, while 70% of Democrats viewed her positively.
In an interview with Fox News, Vance questioned the broader impact of celebrity endorsements, particularly Swift’s. “We admire Taylor Swift’s music, but I don’t think most Americans, whether they like her music or are fans of hers or not, are going to be influenced by a billionaire celebrity who I think is fundamentally disconnected from the interests and the problems of most Americans,” Vance said.
Swift’s endorsement of Harris-Walz marked her latest foray into politics.
She first waded into political waters in 2018 when she opposed Republican Tennessee Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn and endorsed Democrat Phil Bredesen.
In recent years, Swift has used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, releasing the song "You Need to Calm Down" in 2019 and supporting the Equality Act through petitions and social media.
Swift was among several Hollywood figures who backed the Harris-Walz campaign.
High-profile endorsements also came from Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, George Clooney, Beyoncé, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others.
Despite this star-studded support, Trump’s victory indicates that celebrity influence may be waning in an electorate increasingly focused on economic and cultural concerns.
Trump’s sweeping election victory suggests that issues driving voters to the polls outweighed the endorsements of Hollywood elites.
And now Donald Trump has surpassed Taylor Swift on X (Twitter) in the number of followers.
BREAKING: Donald Trump has overtaken Taylor Swift in follower count, becoming the 8th most followed account on 𝕏. pic.twitter.com/VTa2Ll4Qe1
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) November 18, 2024
BREAKING: Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) has surpassed Taylor Swift in followers to become the 8th most followed account on 𝕏 pic.twitter.com/3fzL11JIqh
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) November 18, 2024
As Trump prepares to take office, the effectiveness of the celebrity endorsement model—long relied upon by Democrats—faces renewed scrutiny in America’s evolving political landscape.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
All celebrities make a deal with the devil for fame and fortune.
“I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”
why do you want to insult Elmer Fudd? He’s a great guy.
“LGBTQ+ rights” Oh yes, you lost because you think 99% of America should obey your crazy edicts and ignore all that you’ve done to us, whereas a large segment of the gay community, gay men, can’t stand your wacky LGBTQ+ antics. Get over yourselves.
There are 22 states that allow “UNLIMITED” abortions…pick 1 Taylor.
As Maureen O’hara (McClintock) said she is just a damn fool. A senile old man, and a Haitian/Hindu who can’t explain anything. Stay in your lane Taylor and try to keep a man in your life.
Now if Swift could only learn to sing. Her audition tapes show what a terrible voice she really has. The studio must be using software that forces her noise-box to go on key. And now the poor dear is shown to have limited influence on her fans. Too funny!
Everything this woman is concerned with revolves around her sex organs: LBGT rights, IVF and abortions. Swift ought to pull her head out of her stinky p*ssy and get a breath of fresh air once and awhile.
Celebrities, enteratainers, sports figures, and the like should be seen [on stage or screen or field] and not heard from anywhere else. It’s pretty basic really: you rely on the good will of an audience which includes people who disagree with you on many, many issues. As such, your personal opinions on any matter should remain personal, private, and you should avoid putting your celebrity [and income], as well as the actors and studios you work with, at risk.