In the age of social media, celebrity endorsements have become a powerful tool in political campaigns. Throughout the 2024 U.S. presidential election, candidates from both parties were vying for the attention of voters, using the influence of celebrities to boost their popularity and credibility. Whether through social media shoutouts, public rallies, or campaign ads, famous figures play important roles in elections, including this one.
Celebrity endorsements are not a new thing. Back in 1960, in the days of the Kennedy and Nixon debates, we saw stars such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. support John F. Kennedy. But celebrity endorsements evolved. With the rise of social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, celebrities’ influence can reach millions of people with the click of a button. This is huge for politicians. Social media can help reach voters who can’t seem to pick who to vote for and even those who don’t usually vote.
Kamala Harris secured many celebrity endorsements, from famous actor Harrison Ford to influential talk show host Oprah Winfrey. One of Harris’s most prominent endorsements was from singer Taylor Swift. Minutes after the presidential debate, Swift posted on social media and officially endorsed presidential candidate Kamala Harris. This is the first time the singer has talked politics since Harris was nominated.
Swift took to Instagram, saying, “I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.” Like many of her posts, it blew up, receiving 11 million views and 1.5 million shares. And as we can see, millions of people saw this. For many, seeing their favorite singer strongly endorse a candidate could be the factor that pushes them to vote for that specific candidate.
Famous actress Jeniffer Aniston also took to Instagram and showed her support for Harris and the Democratic Party. She encouraged people to step out and vote for what they believe in. “Please remember that whoever you are and wherever you live, your voice matters. Your VOTE matters,” says Aniston.
Presidential Candidate Donald Trump also had a long list of celebrity endorsements, from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to Youtuber/professional boxer Jake Paul. One of Trump’s most prominent endorsements came from podcaster Joe Rogan. ​On the eve of the 2024 election, Joe Rogan officially endorsed Donald Trump. After a podcast featuring a long conversation with Elon Musk, discussing topics such as leadership and vision, Rogan expressed his agreement with Musk and his support for Trump. “He makes what I think the most compelling case for Trump you’ll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way,” says Rogan.
Celebrities endorsements can be an effective way for candidates to reach out to voters and push their policies and beliefs. While these endorsements aren’t guaranteed to change or make someone’s vote, they can be very influential in putting the candidate in the spotlight they need so they can try and snag the vote.