In a move that came as little surprise to her fans, pop star Taylor Swift has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election.
Swift, known for being outspoken on political matters, particularly in support of Democratic candidates, once again used her platform to back a prominent figure in the party.
However, despite her widespread fame and the loyalty of her fanbase, the endorsement seems to have had a muted effect on the broader electorate.
This is not Swift’s first time getting involved in politics. In the 2018 midterms, she endorsed Tennessee Democrats Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper, and in 2020, she threw her support behind the Biden-Harris ticket.
Swift has been vocal on progressive causes, such as LGBTQ+ rights and climate change, making her endorsement of Harris expected, given the alignment of their political values.
Still, Swift’s influence in music hasn’t translated strongly into politics. A recent YouGov poll found that only 8% of respondents were “somewhat” or “much more likely” to vote Democrat due to Swift’s endorsement, while 20% said they were “somewhat” or “much less likely” to support Harris following the singer’s announcement.
More telling, 66% of those surveyed said Swift’s endorsement had no impact on their voting decisions.
The poll indicates that while Swift’s fanbase is large, her political endorsements don’t seem to sway undecided voters.
Among those who identify as Swift fans, the majority—mainly female, registered Democrats—were already planning to vote for Harris, suggesting her endorsement simply reinforced their existing views rather than expanding Harris’s appeal.
On social media, reactions to the poll results were mixed, with some finding humor in the limited political impact of Swift’s endorsement despite her immense cultural influence.
Others speculated that Swift’s status as a wealthy celebrity might disconnect her from the lived experiences of millions of Americans, particularly those struggling with economic challenges.
While Swift has been vocal on issues like gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights, critics argue that her immense wealth and success may hinder her ability to resonate with working-class voters.
Ultimately, the results of the YouGov poll underscore the complex relationship between celebrity and politics. While some celebrities have successfully influenced public opinion and political outcomes, Swift’s endorsement appears to have made little difference in this election cycle.
For Harris, the endorsement may have even done more harm than good, given the 20% of voters who are now less inclined to support her because of Swift’s backing.
As the election draws nearer, it remains to be seen whether other celebrity endorsements will carry more weight, or if voters will continue to prioritize policy over personality when making their decisions.
For now, Taylor Swift’s star power seems to have little impact on the political stage.
