Why Celebrities Couldn't Swing the 2024 Election
Beyoncé Delivers Powerful Speech at Houston Rally with VP Kamala Harris. Via IG @beyonce, “Time to sing a new song.” © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
The 2024 U.S. election has concluded with a decisive victory for Trump and the right-wing, leaving the world in suspense until the final results. Throughout the campaign, the Democratic Party saw significant support from a host of pop culture icons. Yet, despite this star-studded backing, these endorsements ultimately proved ineffective. Could it be that music stardom isn’t as influential and popular as perceived?
In recent times, there's been endless buzz about the link between music and the economy, all thanks to the global phenomenon of Taylor Swift. Studies and reports have shown that the American pop icon has the power to shift economic tides on a massive scale, even impacting the GDP of countries her Eras Tour touches down in. The “Taylor Swift earthquake”—both literally and figuratively—has grown so influential that it's even factored into economic policies, sparking what’s been dubbed “Swiftflation.” Some reports suggest that European central banks have adjusted interest rates, citing the inflation slowdowns driven by the enormous spending around her tour. Yet, despite her undeniable power, there’s one goal Swift hasn’t achieved: changing the course of U.S. elections.
Throughout the long election campaign that wrapped up on November 5, numerous celebrities rallied behind the candidates—especially supporting Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party. The word "endorsement" became a media buzzword, frequently repeated by journalists and TV anchors as they tracked the ups and downs of this high-stakes battle. In the U.S., it’s almost tradition for celebrities to openly back a candidate, aligning with their political views and encouraging their fans to do the same. Historically, the Democratic Party has attracted more big-name supporters from the music and Hollywood spheres, and this election was no exception. A-listers like George Clooney and Bruce Springsteen once again made their Democratic leanings loud and clear, adding their (largely predictable) support to the blue ticket.
In this election cycle, one name in particular had everyone buzzing with anticipation. After a clumsy attempt by Trump to imply her support through an AI-generated image—which was quickly flagged as fake—the almighty Taylor Swift put the rumors to rest. In a post where she’s cradling a kitten, Swift made her stance clear, showing her support for the left-leaning candidate. This small but powerful gesture seemed to send Kamala Harris’s approval ratings soaring, sparking a momentary wave of optimism that just maybe, Harris had a real shot at victory.
On the other hand, Donald Trump—much like in his previous showdown against Hillary Clinton—struggled to secure major endorsements from entertainment figures. His celebrity backing remained limited, with only a handful like Kid Rock, Republican podcaster Joe Rogan, and Azealia Banks standing in his corner. However, Trump did have the support of a key powerhouse: billionaire Elon Musk. Not only did Musk openly back his friend Trump, but he also actively joined the campaign effort, pushing out viral memes and videos across social media that fueled his influence on the election.
Despite Musk's undeniable influence, few believed that a tech mogul could rival the appeal of global pop and rock superstars with millions of fans worldwide. Alongside Taylor Swift, Beyoncé also voiced support for Kamala Harris, even using her song Freedom as the campaign’s anthem. As in previous elections, the music world—historically left-leaning—lined up almost entirely behind Harris, with stars like Jon Bon Jovi, Andra Day, Billie Eilish, and Christina Aguilera actively showing their support. Special mention goes to Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, who performed at the final rallies before Election Day. Gaga, in particular, has been a vocal Democratic supporter, even performing the national anthem at Biden’s inauguration.
There were also some outliers—artists who didn’t support Trump but held back from endorsing Harris. For example, singer Chappell Roan stated that, while not a Trump supporter, she didn’t fully align with Harris’s policies and wasn’t comfortable embracing the Democratic platform completely. This was a rare stance in the U.S. music industry, yet a refreshingly honest reflection of an American citizen’s mixed feelings, much like many voters across the nation.
The early campaign buzz led many to believe that pop music’s influence would give Harris a serious boost, and that the combined star power might sway the election her way. But as we know, the results were quite different. The Republican candidate emerged victorious, even securing the popular vote in a resounding win, surprising those who had put faith in the potential of celebrity endorsement. The outcome, which kept the world on edge given today’s global uncertainties, sparked fresh debate within the music industry. Despite past election patterns hinting at a similar outcome, there was a sense that this time, music’s influence might truly turn the tide. Many hoped that the impact of "Swifteconomics" might carry over into "Swiftpolitics," giving Harris an edge. While it’s hard to say if celebrity endorsements swayed votes, it’s possible that Harris’s support might have been even lower without them—or perhaps the opposite. Either way, it’s clear that music alone couldn’t shift the results of such a high-stakes election.
One reason big-name pop stars didn’t drastically impact American voters is that their fans were likely to vote Democratic anyway. Their endorsements didn’t change minds but reinforced existing preferences. Take Lady Gaga, a champion of the LGBTQ+ community and a staunch advocate for minority and women’s rights—causes that align strongly with Democratic values. It’s doubtful any of her dedicated fans were considering a Trump vote before her endorsement of Harris.
A closer look at this phenomenon suggests another reason music's political influence fell short: the gap between everyday citizens and the polished lives of pop culture celebrities. While singers and actors can amass legions of followers, the lives they portray are far removed from the daily struggles of ordinary Americans, many of whom face real-life challenges and economic hardships. In the end, Americans cast their votes not for their favourite celebrity, but for the candidate they believed would address their real-world concerns. Many voters also feel celebrities shouldn’t weigh in on topics "outside their expertise," with the familiar refrain of “stick to singing” often popping up in the comments of endorsement posts on social media.
As the dust settles on this campaign, it's evident that the weight of celebrity influence will always face limits in the voting booth, where real lives and real issues take precedence over even the brightest of endorsements. Pop stars like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé undoubtedly create moments that capture media attention and inspire their fans, but the true power of their endorsements only goes so far. Perhaps the allure of “Swiftpolitics” was an interesting twist on “Swifteconomics,” but it seems clear that political change requires more than viral moments and star-studded support.
