Taylor Swift, a prominent figure in the music industry, publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president immediately following the conclusion of the debate on Tuesday night, September 10, 2024.
Expressing her support on Instagram, Ms. Swift described Harris as a capable and composed leader, emphasizing the importance of stability in governance over chaos. She also shared a link to a voter registration website along with her endorsement.
Known for her influence among young women, a crucial demographic in the upcoming election, Taylor Swift’s endorsement holds significant weight. Her recent tour has amassed over $1 billion in ticket sales, underscoring her widespread popularity. Within just thirty minutes of posting, her endorsement garnered more than 2.3 million likes.
In her Instagram post, Taylor Swift included a photo of herself with her cat Benjamin Button, signing off as “Childless Cat Lady.” This playful remark was a response to comments made by JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, regarding women without children.
The singer-songwriter revealed that her decision to endorse Harris was partly motivated by AI-generated images circulated by the Trump campaign, falsely suggesting her support for Donald Trump. One such image depicted Swift as Uncle Sam, with the caption “Taylor wants YOU to VOTE for DONALD TRUMP.”
Reacting to these misleading posts, Ms. Swift emphasized the need for transparency in her political stance, stating that she had conducted thorough research before making her choice.
Despite her endorsement, the Trump campaign dismissed Taylor Swift’s political influence, attributing it to her status as a wealthy elite. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt highlighted the presence of “Swifties for Trump” in America, including herself.
This endorsement from Taylor Swift comes as no surprise, given her previous support for President Joe Biden in 2020 and her vocal criticism of Trump, whom she accused of fueling racial division.
With a strong following among Democrats, a 2023 Fox News poll revealed that a majority of voters, particularly Democrats, viewed Swift favorably. However, opinions among Republicans were divided.
Further data from AP VoteCast indicated a partisan divide in perceptions of Taylor Swift dating back to 2018, when she endorsed a Democratic candidate over a Republican in Tennessee. Despite her popularity, the Republican candidate emerged victorious in the state.
Published – September 11, 2024 10:17 am IST
