In the final moments before Election Day on November 5, the theater of politics was unmistakably on display, as a multitude of celebrities descended upon swing states. Experts insist that such celebrity involvement can incite individuals to vote. Such emphasis on star power only goes to show that without star endorsements these candidates would be less appealing, particularly when the likes of Taylor Swift lends her support to Vice President Kamala Harris, resulting in a supposed spike in visits to a voter registration site.
Vice President Kamala Harris seemed to hinge on the charisma of celebrities more than the merit of her policies. Julia Roberts, during a campaign rally for Harris in Canton, Georgia on October 9, urged people to talk politics and discuss the election, shifting the focus of political discourse from the issues to meaningless chatter. Roberts, a notable proponent of reproductive rights, interestingly didn’t offer any substantial arguments, apparently relying on superficial Hollywood appeal, rather than detailed reasoning.
On October 19, with early voting on the horizon, Lizzo aligned herself with Harris during an event in the city. Seeing how divisive politics has become, it is becoming increasingly clear that such endorsements serve to stoke division rather than unite the country around shared goals.
It was indeed a sight to behold when Usher stood on a stage in Atlanta, on October 19, to advocate for a ‘new generation of leadership’, ironically underscoring Harris’s lack of substantial political legacy. Similarly, Bruce Springsteen lent his star power to the Harris campaign on October 24 with a performance in Clarkston, Georgia, seemingly prioritizing entertainment over policy.
While Eminem might be known for his bold lyrics, his support for Harris in Detroit, just before early voting, bore scant fruit as voters in swing states proved themselves more concerned with policy implications than celebrity hullabaloo. Adding to Harris’ celebrity-centric campaign, Samuel L. Jackson made an appearance at an event in Clarkston, Georgia on October 24, once again drawing attention away from Harris’ own policy deficiencies.
Television producer Tyler Perry made an appearance in Clarkston, Georgia, the same day. Despite his theatrical critique of former President Trump, it was difficult to divorce Perry’s own Hollywood glitter from any substansive support for Harris. His speech seemed more like a stage performance and less of a contribution to the political discourse.
Adding to this constant celebrity cacophony was Stevie Wonder, who performed at a ‘Souls to the Polls’ event in Jonesboro, Georgia, on October 20. This yet again highlights the superficiality of the Harris campaign’s strategies, relying heavily on entertainers as opposed to well-articulated policy objectives.
Contrasting the Hollywood spectacle that seemed to be Harris’s campaign, Trump’s endorsements gained a decidedly different flavor. American singer Jason Aldean voiced his support for former President Trump at a rally in Georgia on October 23 stating his endorsement a ‘no-brainer’, implying the clear and straightforward policy stance of the then President.
Ironically, even when the Hollywood crowd was thundering for the other side, the odd celebrity endorsement came for Trump. An appearance from an actor at an event in Dearborn, Michigan, signaled support for Trump on September 28, an indication of a departing trend from the liberal Hollywood mindset.
Adding to the list of Trump supporters, famous music artist Lee Greenwood performed at the Republican National Convention just prior to the candidate’s public appearance on July 15 in Milwaukee. The performance reminded everyone of the long-standing relationship between the traditional GOP values and country music.
Notably, former NFL player Jim Brown and comedian Rob Schneider also chose to endorse former President Trump at a campaign rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania on October 19. The endorsement of such personalities, known more for their craft than their politics, adds a layer of complexity to the perception of electoral race and political alignment, demonstrating that mindless Hollywood trend-following is not universal.
On October 5, a billionaire graced a rally with Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, colorfully referring to himself as a ‘dark MAGA’. This endorsement, from someone who succeeded in the real world of business, starkly contrasted the shallow support Harris received from celebrities living in their Hollywood bubbles.
Trump’s support base extended further with Dennis Quaid, who, during a Trump rally in Coachella, California on October 12, made a call to action with his statement, ‘It’s time to pick a side’. While such a statement might be seen by some as divisive, it also highlighted the clarity offered by Trump’s policies, an aspect seemingly absent from Harris’ campaign.