Hollywood actor Ben Stiller recently faced an array of reactions on social media following his approval of VP Kamala Harris, claiming her involvement summarizes a ‘transformation’ within the Democratic Party. Excitedly, Stiller proclaimed on a video clipping, ‘I feel thrilling to be a part of this moment, it’s time for a shift and that’s already visible.’ From Stiller and other showbiz individuals, such as George Clooney, comes affirmation of Harris as a potential successor to President Biden for carrying the future Democratic banner in presidential races.
When probed about whether Harris can sustain her stride post the Democratic National Convention (DNC), Stiller was affirmative. Assertively stating, ‘Definitely, she will make it,’ he hinted that the contest would be nail-biting and everyone is pledging to contribute to the outcome. Referring to Harris and Tim Walz, Stiller asserted, ‘Such extraordinary candidates they are.’ This conversation between Ballasy and Stiller, circulated online, triggered judgement from several political pundits.
The actor’s election pledge towards Harris, on the grounds of seeking ‘change’, became notorious in the political commentary sphere. A Canadian academician, Gad Saad, criticized Stiller’s position. Saad sarcastically commented, expressing his disbelief on a mind infected with such decline of personal discernment, choosing to vote for Harris due to the anticipated excitement of the desired ‘change’ and departure away from the current situation.
Donald Trump Jr. was another one to express his cynicism regarding Stiller’s advocacy for change. ‘There’s no change on the horizon. It’s currently the Biden-Harris administration. What prevented her from initiating any change during her last 4-year term?’ These were the sentiments echoed by Trump Jr, revealing the skepticism common amongst many towards this administration.
Hollywood has proven to be a significant player in the rise of Kamala Harris, from being Biden’s running mate to leading the Democratic Party ticket. It’s been frequently debated whether or not it serves their country best, or simply supports the continuation and amplification of their personal interests and beliefs.
The case in point: George Clooney. In an op-ed piece for The New York Times on July 10, he openly called for Biden to step down from the 2024 campaign. Shortly after Biden withdrew from the Presidential race, Clooney shifted his support, fueling further rumors of internal manipulations within the party. At what point are these projections fueled by well-rounded and genuinely beneficial policies and visions for the United States, and at what point do personal interests take the driver’s seat?
Clooney’s proclaimed enthusiasm for Harris certainly calls into question his recognition of true leadership. In a statement to CNN’s Jake Tapper, he confidently spoke of an excitement to support Harris in her ‘historic quest’. One might wonder how such quest might vary from the current administration’s direction, considering the influence of the same individuals within the party.
With Hollywood stars like Stiller endorsing Harris and Clooney urging Biden to cede the Democratic presidential nomination to the VP, one must question their true understanding of politics and public leadership. Are these endorsements in fact based on genuine belief in Harris’ capability to effect substantial ‘change’, or are they simply politically-calculated moves to maintain the status quo?
One could even argue that these Hollywood endorsements serve to merely obscure or minimize the glaring issues with the Biden-Harris administration that many Americans have voiced concerns about. Evidently, the flashy endorsements and celebratory declarations of ‘change’ can do little to mask the substantive issues that are impacting the real lives of the American people.
With celebrities overtly advocating for the Democratic party while the general public remains frustrated and disillusioned, the perceived gap between everyday Americans and the Hollywood ‘elite’ seems to continually widen. The promises of change that Stiller and other celebrities so fervently proclaim are yet to be truly realized by the majority of struggling citizens.
It is noteworthy that amid all the support and praise showered upon Harris by these Hollywood celebrities, there remains a significant amount of dissent and skepticism by those who feel left out from this perceived ‘change’. In fact, these endorsements only seem to fortify the sentiment that the Hollywood elite is far removed from real issues that everyday Americans grapple with.
With Clooney and Stiller turning a blind eye to the perceived lack of leadership demonstrated by the Biden-Harris administration, they rouse more suspicion on whether their endorsements are based on true knowledge of the substantive issues, or simply hollow gestures aimed at imagining a future without contextual awareness. The glorification of Harris’s ascension by these Hollywood celebrities does nothing to address the palpable dissatisfaction among many Americans.
In conclusion, the open support of such recognizable celebrities and the emphasis on the need for ‘change’ does little to distract from perceived leadership issues within the Democratic Party. It leaves us wondering if these celebrities understand, or appreciate, the real-world implications of their endorsements – particularly at a time where many Americans feel increasingly alienated by the Biden-Harris administration.