Taylor Swift Endorses Kamala Harris for President
Pop superstar Taylor Swift made waves on Tuesday night after endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election, following a heated debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump.
In a post shared with her 283 million Instagram followers, Swift praised Harris as a "steady-handed, gifted leader" and announced her decision to vote for the Democratic ticket of Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
"I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them," Swift wrote, emphasising her admiration for Harris' calm leadership.
The pop star also expressed appreciation for Walz, highlighting his long-standing support for LGBTQ+ rights, access to IVF, and a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body.
Swift’s Instagram post, signed "Childless Cat Lady," was a playful jab at a past comment from Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, who had once referred to childless women in politics as "miserable."
Post endorsing Harris gains over 4 million likes in hours
Swift’s followers quickly responded, with her endorsement receiving over 4.5 million likes within hours. She also took the opportunity to encourage her fans to register to vote, particularly first-time voters, providing them with resources on early voting and registration.
Swift’s endorsement wasn’t entirely unexpected, given her previous support for President Joe Biden and Harris in 2020. However, her vocal participation in this election marks a significant shift from the early years of her career, when she deliberately avoided political endorsements. Swift’s decision to speak out this time was partly driven by the circulation of AI-generated images that falsely depicted her supporting Trump.
"Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation," Swift wrote. "The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth."
Harris campaign welcome Swift endorsement
The Harris campaign welcomed Swift’s endorsement, with spokesperson Ian Sams calling it a "pleasant surprise."
Harris' running mate, Tim Walz, also expressed his gratitude, calling it a great opportunity for Swift's passionate fanbase, known as "Swifties," to get involved in the election.
Swift’s political influence is undeniable. In the past, her public statements have led to surges in voter registration, particularly among younger voters. While some political analysts believe her endorsement may not drastically shift the political landscape—since her fanbase already leans Democratic—it could have a significant impact on voter engagement and turnout.
On the other side, Trump was quick to dismiss Swift’s support for Harris. In a Fox News interview, he said he wasn’t a fan of the singer, describing her as "very liberal" and suggesting she would "pay the price for it in the marketplace."
Trump also joked that he preferred the endorsement of NFL star Patrick Mahomes' wife, Brittany.
With the 2024 election approaching, Swift’s endorsement adds yet another layer of star power to Harris' campaign. Whether or not it will sway voters remains to be seen, but it has already energised a significant portion of the electorate.
