Will Taylor Swift’s support for Kamala Harris shift the 2024 election?

Swift’s post-debate endorsement raises questions about celebrity influence on voter behaviour.

Following the recent presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Taylor Swift has publicly endorsed Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz. 

On Tuesday night, Swift shared an Instagram post featuring her cat, along with a detailed caption explaining her support for the Democrats.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)

In her post, Swift encouraged her 284 million followers to research the candidates and their policies before the November 5 election. She also expressed concerns about AI-generated misinformation, citing false endorsements of Trump using manipulated images of her fans. 

Swift's endorsement, she stated, is a response to these deceptive practices and aims to clarify her voting intentions.

According to Al Jazeera, Swift’s influence on voter turnout has been notable in the past. A study by Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government highlights that celebrity endorsements can indeed increase voter engagement. 

For instance, after Swift urged her followers to register in 2023, Vote.org reported a significant spike in registrations. However, the impact of celebrity endorsements on actual voting decisions remains debated.

Historically, celebrity endorsements have had varied effects on elections. While Oprah Winfrey’s backing of Barack Obama in 2008 is a well-known success story, other endorsements, like Swift’s previous support for Phil Bredesen in 2018, did not lead to electoral victories.

Swift’s current endorsement of Harris adds her voice to a list of celebrities backing the Democratic ticket. Among others supporting Harris are George Clooney, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Charli XCX.