Celebrity Endorsements in Politics: Do They Boost Campaigns or Star Power?

 

In a political landscape where celebrities increasingly weigh in on elections, Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign benefited from endorsements from pop icons like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Charli XCX. While these stars used their platforms to voice support, the impact of such endorsements on voters remains a subject of debate.

In July, Charli XCX made waves with a tweet linking Harris to her album "Brat," signaling her endorsement in a manner that many saw as a fun but bold comparison to the vice president's energy. The campaign quickly embraced the symbolism, using the album's signature green color on their social media. Yet, despite the celebrity backing, the actual influence of these endorsements is questionable. While celebrities like Beyoncé and Swift share a huge fan base that already tends to lean left, their support likely did little to sway undecided voters.

Seth Abramovitch, a senior writer at The Hollywood Reporter, suggests that these endorsements largely reinforced existing political leanings among liberal audiences, making them less effective in changing the minds of potential swing voters. Margaretha Bentley, a professor at Arizona State University, echoes this, noting that while celebrity endorsements can boost voter registration and civic engagement, they don't always influence how people cast their ballots.

Interestingly, a survey conducted after Swift's endorsement found that 20% of respondents said it made them less likely to vote for Harris, illustrating a backlash to high-profile political endorsements. Historically, celebrities have often supported candidates from both parties, and there is ample evidence of such endorsements driving voter turnout, but not always in a way that translates directly to votes for the endorsed candidate.

Despite the mixed impact on the election, Laurence F. Maslon, an arts professor at New York University, argues that celebrity endorsements tend to benefit the celebrity more than the politician. They can help raise the celebrity's profile, giving them a sense of involvement in the political process. He points out that endorsements like those from Frank Sinatra or even George Clooney may have more to do with the celebrity's brand than their political influence.

Ultimately, the celebrity endorsement landscape reflects a changing dynamic in modern elections. For some, it serves as a form of civic engagement, while for others, it reinforces a sense of elitism and detachment from everyday concerns. Whether these endorsements ultimately harm or help campaigns, one thing is clear: the real power might lie in the stars' own ability to captivate the public—perhaps even leading some to wonder if, in the future, celebrities like Swift and Beyoncé might run for office themselves.