Waiting in anticipation, voters all across the United States have been wondering who America’s biggest names are voting for, or if these celebrities would take a stance at all.
Some citizens have been asking why certain superstars seem incapable of speaking up regarding political issues, seeing as they could potentially have a lasting effect on the younger generations, enticing them to care more about the issues arising within their countries. Taylor Swift has seemingly received the most backlash thus far.
In 2020, Taylor Swift was especially outspoken when it came to politics, tactically using her Miss Americana documentary to express her newfound “need to be on the right side of history.”
Later that same year, Swift publicly endorsed Democratic candidate Joe Biden, emphasizing in her VMagazine interview that America would have the chance “to start the healing process it so desperately needs.” Swift has stayed silent in regard to politics since then.
However, as of recently, critics and even supporters were getting tired of Swift’s lack of accountability when it came to being one of the most well-known celebrities in America. Fans noted her “political silence” as a detrimental influence on young and upcoming voters.
Regardless of Swift’s political stance, audiences everywhere simply wanted someone of power to speak on the importance that voting has on American citizens and protecting democracy. Not long after the online discourse, Swift came out with her political endorsement for the 2024 United States election, stating that she would be casting her vote for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.
Swift emphasized that she is voting for Harris because “she is a steady-handed, gifted leader” who will lead with calmness and not calamity.” Swift also highlighted the importance of Walz being by Harris’s side, communicating that he “has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”
The day after Swift’s announcement of her political standpoint, 405,999 users visited the vote.org, which is a significant indication of her impact on voters of the Generation Z population. Vote.org allows citizens of the United States to register to vote, and the site has previously only received 30,000 clicks a day.
If Swift did not assist the democratic candidate in winning the overall election, it can be inferred that she helped American democracy, specifically with voter registration, simply by speaking up.
Though Taylor Swift’s public endorsement may help the democratic candidates at the margins, it cannot be confirmed if their lead in polls is all Swift’s doing. Voters’ attention to the details of potential policies and advocacies of both parties has always been the most important factor in officially deciding who to vote for. However, with both candidates having served in the White House administration, likeability at the margins may be all it takes to win the 2024 presidential election.
Alyssa Dolina is a sophomore English and Spanish & international business major. Alyssa can be reached at [email protected].
