It’s clear that we are living through truly historic times, witnessing events that future generations will remember forever. This US presidential election may go down as one of the most divided in America’s political history, with tensions and animosity skyrocketing between parties and the public. The political climate has been filled with suspense, marked by assassination attempts and presidential candidates struggling at times to string a sentence together, let alone potentially run an entire weaponised nation. With news coverage highlighting polls indicating the result was too close to call, the outcome hung in the balance, where even a tiny mistake could have serious repercussions.
In such times of unpredictability and uncertainty, there is one factor that remains crucially important; the democratic right to vote. This simple act has seemingly never had the significance and power that it does at this moment with individuals participating in elections becoming crucial. However, who should American voters choose? Given the significant divide, there are certainly mixed feelings about both candidates. With the wall-to-wall coverage of the campaigns, one has to ask, who could be the most successful influencers across the Republican and Democratic divides? In my opinion, the answer seems as obvious as Donald Trump’s fake tan. It’s no longer experienced politicians, but “the celebrity”, with all their infinite wisdom and knowledge, trying to shape the public vote.
Endorsement is the public expression of support for a person or idea, which plays a crucial role in elections. It helps to garner support, particularly when experienced politicians or former presidents endorse new candidates, as their opinions can carry significant weight. However, in today's chronically online society, it could be argued that emphasis on endorsement from politicians has shifted to endorsement from A-list celebrities. There was more excitement and coverage over Taylor Swift endorsing Kamala Harris compared to Barack Obama’s endorsement. I’ve counted at least thirty celebrities publicly endorsing either Harris or Trump at rallies, through social media and magazine interviews, attracting mass attention from large fanbases. However, is this a beneficial or detrimental change to modern-day politics?
Celebrities, though no doubt talented in their area of work, will have little experience of political service or the dark arts of politics and campaigning. However, there seems to be an expectation that we should hang on their every word because it seems to me that they believe they can change the world. Often, they phrase their statements in a way that makes fans feel guilty for not agreeing with them. For example, Jake Paul encouraged his viewers to “do [their] own research” but then pushed undecided voters to Trump, claiming they had to “Save America”. On the Democratic side, at the Houston rally, Beyoncé opined “I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician, I’m here as a mother.” Surely if she was truly there just “as a mother”, she wouldn't be on stage receiving applause. I’m sure the crowd’s reaction would have been very different if it was just an ordinary mother instead of a mega celebrity giving that speech. However, this is not the only point to be taken by her quote, as we can also see how manipulative her words are.
They are carefully crafted not only to influence wavering voters, but also to make it appear that she too, even with her million-dollar mansions and designer clothes, is down in the trenches defending the rights of women across the globe. She also stated that she is “a mother who cares deeply about the world for my children”. Mothers who are undecided might feel guilty listening to this, thinking that voting for Trump means they don't care about children. To me, Beyoncé’s words seem entitled and out of touch with reality, deliberately trying to shame mothers into voting for Harris.
To further illustrate the dangers of celebrity endorsements, the following is taken from a Sky News interview on November 4th during a Taylor Swift-themed brunch in Pennsylvania. When asked about voting, a fan joked: “Uneducated people like me will probably go and register to vote just based on what [Swift] says.” When asked if she trusts Swift more than politicians, she laughed: “Absolutely! If it’s up to Taylor, I may vote for Kamala.” While some argue that celebrities can engage young voters, these remarks highlight how fans may make significant decisions based solely on their idols’ views, not their own informed choices.
I believe that celebrity endorsement of candidates can be dangerous. While they may attract younger audiences, the negatives often outweigh the positives. Some A-list stars seem to care about their messages, but for most, to me it seems to be about gaining attention and swaying votes to fit their agenda. Some fans are so dedicated that they blindly follow their idols without doing their own research. Just because someone is famous doesn’t mean they are knowledgeable about politics. It’s essential to educate yourself, understand politics, and form your own beliefs instead of just following your idol.