Swift's endorsement of Harris resulted in mixed reactions: YouGov poll
Taylor Swift’s recent endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has stirred more controversy than enthusiasm, according to a new post-debate poll.
The YouGov poll, released on Saturday, reveals that while some voters are more inclined to support Harris after Swift’s endorsement, a larger portion of the electorate may be swayed in the opposite direction.
The poll indicates that only 8% of voters said Swift’s endorsement made them “somewhat” or “much more likely” to vote for Harris.
Meanwhile, a notable 20% of respondents said they are “somewhat” or “much less likely” to support Harris following the pop superstar’s nod.
Swift, known for her music and her massive fanbase, has increasingly become vocal about her political views in recent years.
Following the Harris-Trump debate on September 10, Swift shared her endorsement on Instagram with her 283 million followers.
She called Harris a “steady-handed, gifted leader” who would bring “calm and not chaos” to the presidency. Swift also encouraged her fans to make their own informed voting decisions, saying, “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.”
Despite the buzz surrounding Swift’s post, the majority of respondents, 66%, said the singer’s political views wouldn’t influence their voting decision either way.
The mixed response suggests that Swift’s involvement in the 2024 election may not have the overwhelming impact that some anticipated.
The poll also explored public opinion on whether celebrities like Swift should engage in political endorsements. Results were divided, with 41% of respondents saying Swift should not publicly express her political views, while 38% believed she should.
The remaining 21% were indifferent.
Additionally, the poll highlighted the divide in Swift’s fanbase. While 66% of respondents claimed they were not Swifties, 28% identified as casual fans, and 6% considered themselves big fans. Notably, those who identified as “big fans” were mostly women and registered Democrats, aligning with Swift’s political leanings.
While Swift’s endorsement may not have swung a significant portion of voters, it did appear to boost voter registration efforts.
A custom link shared by Swift led to 337,826 visits to the voter registration website vote.gov.
The surge in traffic to the site, reported through Wednesday, demonstrated Swift’s influence on civic engagement, even if her endorsement hasn’t shifted voter preferences significantly.
The YouGov poll also revealed broader insights into the ongoing Harris-Trump race.
Although 46% of respondents believed Harris won the September 10 debate compared to 19% who favored Trump, the debate itself did not appear to alter the broader electoral landscape.
A mere 6% of voters said the debate caused them to reconsider their vote, while 76% said it did not.
Swift’s foray into the 2024 presidential race underscores the complex relationship between celebrity endorsements and voter behavior.
While her support for Harris and Walz may galvanize some Democratic voters, the YouGov poll suggests that her involvement is more likely to polarize than persuade the broader electorate.
The results of this poll add another layer of uncertainty to the upcoming election, as both candidates continue to vie for votes in a highly divided political climate.
Harris campaign showcased an image of the nominee with the caption, “A New Way Forward… Ready For It?” which references the Grammy winner’s 2017 hit song from her Reputation album. Furthermore, the Democratic National Committee unveiled a billboard in New York City’s Times Square this week, featuring a picture of Harris, 59, alongside the phrase, “We’re In Our Kamala Era,” as reported by People.
The 'Fortnight' singer added, “I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.
Whether Swift’s influence will extend beyond her fanbase remains to be seen as the election approaches.