Beyoncé endorses Kamala Harris, joining influential celebrities backing her campaign

Beyoncé has endorsed Kamala Harris for president, amplifying the vice president’s campaign as it gears up for a close 2024 race. 

The endorsement came during a Houston rally where Beyoncé was not only on the event’s playlist but also present as a guest, highlighting her support for Harris. With a massive online following, Beyoncé joins other high-profile supporters like Taylor Swift and Oprah, each aiming to drive voter enthusiasm among younger audiences and key Democratic groups, including women and Black voters.

Historically, celebrity endorsements have had limited direct sway over voters, but experts suggest they can spur voter registration and engagement. Political science expert Josephine Harmon previously noted that such endorsements increase visibility: “If you suddenly see your favorite celebrity engaged with a politician, that politician is much more likely to get traction.” This visibility boost could prove significant in what is projected to be a close election, with Harris in tight competition with former President Donald Trump.

Following Swift’s recent endorsement for Harris, 406,000 clicks to Vote.gov highlighted the mobilizing power celebrities wield on social media. Given Beyoncé’s 314 million Instagram followers, her backing could have a similar effect. Commenting on this potential, Bowling Green State University professor David J. Jackson said that while effects are modest, “in elections that turn on a small number of votes in a handful of swing states, any effect could be significant.”