Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris drives 400,000+ to vote.gov: Can celebrity influence swing US election?

Global pop star Taylor Swift‘s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris has stirred significant buzz and could influence the upcoming election. With the US presidential race heating up, both Harris and former President Donald Trump are intensifying efforts to win over voters before Election Day on November 5, and in early voting which starts next week.
Swift’s endorsement on Instagram Tuesday night drew a massive response, garnering 10.4 million likes and driving nearly 406,000 people to Vote.gov within 24 hours, according to a US government spokesperson.Swift’s appeal among young voters, notably her fans, could be a crucial factor, especially as voter registrations among those aged 18-29 have declined in recent months.
Despite Trump’s dismissive comment that he is “not a Taylor fan,” Harris’s team views the endorsement positively. The campaign, which was unaware of Swift’s decision until her post, is keen on leveraging this momentum. Harris’s aides are reportedly hopeful for further involvement from Swift, possibly in the form of a rally appearance in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state.
Celebrity influence on elections: A double-edged sword
Celebrity endorsements have historically had mixed results. A 2008 study highlighted Oprah Winfrey’s impact on Barack Obama’s vote count, while other endorsements, like those from George Clooney and Angelina Jolie, showed minimal effect. Margaretha Bentley from Arizona State University points out that while some students might be influenced by celebrities, others view their endorsements as unrelated to politics.
Swift’s endorsement has already shown tangible results. The site Vote.gov experienced a 585% spike in traffic during a critical time window after Swift’s post. Her promotion of voter registration and early voting is seen as a potent example of how influential figures can mobilize the public.
Swift’s endorsement: Beyond the numbers
Swift’s support extends to more than just social media. Progressive groups are capitalizing on her popularity, selling Swift-themed campaign merchandise and organizing phone banks targeting young voters in key states like Georgia and Wisconsin. Voters of Tomorrow is collaborating with “Swifties for Harris” to amplify these efforts.
Vote.org CEO Andrea Hailey commended Swift’s impact, noting that her actions underscore the potential of influential individuals to drive civic engagement. Swift’s endorsement has also led to further political endorsements from other celebrities and an increase in media coverage, including billboards by the Democratic National Committee.