In an unexpected turn of events in the political landscape, fans of pop sensation Taylor Swift, known as "Swifties," are organizing a grassroots movement to support US Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency in the 2024 election.
The group, dubbed "Swifties for Kamala," aims to leverage the enthusiasm and organizational power of Swift's fanbase to influence the upcoming election.
The movement gained momentum shortly after President Joe Biden announced his decision not to seek re-election.
Inspired by the potential for change, 22-year-old Swift fan Emerald Medrano from Texas took to social media to rally fellow Swifties to back Harris. "I feel like us US Swifties should mass organize and help campaign for Kamala Harris," Medrano wrote in a post on X.
"If we don't want democracy to end, we really need to move and push blue votes."
In just over a week, the group has grown rapidly, establishing a Discord server with more than 300 members and amassing tens of thousands of followers across social media platforms.
The group has also caught the attention of Kamala Harris's campaign, which has reached out to express support.
"Having that support from the Harris campaign is really exciting and fun," Medrano stated. "I feel really honoured that they acknowledge us as Swifties and what we're doing as good."
As "Swifties for Kamala" continues to gain traction, the group is exploring various strategies to maximize their impact.
Notably, they are timing campaign events to coincide with Swift's record-breaking "Eras Tour," which is set to visit Florida, Louisiana, and Indiana—states that leaned Republican in the 2020 election—before Election Day. The group plans to register concertgoers to vote and raise awareness about Harris's candidacy.
While Taylor Swift herself has not yet publicly endorsed any candidate for the 2024 election, her past political engagements suggest she may eventually support Harris.
Swift, who was once apolitical, has become increasingly vocal about her views, endorsing Biden in 2020 and criticizing former President Donald Trump for his policies and rhetoric.
Her influence is notable; past social media posts encouraging voter registration led to a surge in new registrations.
Carly Long, a 25-year-old co-founder of the group, emphasized the importance of taking action regardless of Swift's involvement.
"It would be great if Taylor did endorse because we've seen what kind of power she has to mobilize," Long told ABC News.
"But I think that that's not what we're waiting for. We have a lot of autonomy as Swifties within our own community to empower ourselves to make action."
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, "Swifties for Kamala" continues to galvanize Swift's fanbase, demonstrating the unique intersection of pop culture and politics in shaping the future of American democracy.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ