Despite initial buzz from Democrats surrounding Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, a recent YouGov poll shows that Swift’s support may not carry as much weight as anticipated. Only 8% of voters said her endorsement made them more likely to back the Harris-Walz ticket, while 20% said it would make them less likely to vote for Harris. Most notably, 66% of respondents stated that Swift’s endorsement would not influence their decision at all.
Swift made her endorsement in an Instagram post, which wasn’t a complete surprise given her previous support for Democratic candidates, including the Biden-Harris ticket in 2020. Her message encouraged her 283 million followers to do their own research and make their own voting decisions, but it appears that her influence, at least in this election cycle, may be limited.
The poll also revealed mixed feelings about Swift’s political involvement. While 32% of respondents said her endorsement would positively affect Harris’ prospects, 41% expressed that Swift should refrain from commenting on politics. Only 38% of respondents thought her endorsements had a positive societal impact.
Interestingly, the poll showed that Swift’s overall popularity among voters isn’t as high as one might think, despite her massive following. While 28% of respondents identified as fans, with only 6% calling themselves “big fans,” a notable 66% said they weren’t fans of Swift at all. This lack of broad appeal could explain why her political endorsements might not carry significant sway with the general electorate.
Celebrity endorsements, particularly in the realm of politics, have always been a double-edged sword. While Swift’s backing may energize younger or more progressive voters, it seems to alienate others, particularly those who are less inclined to listen to political opinions from Hollywood or the entertainment industry. In fact, this poll suggests that Swift’s endorsement may actually hurt Harris more than help her, especially with Trump supporters or undecided voters who may see her involvement as overstepping.
As the 2024 election looms, it’s clear that while celebrities can drive attention to political campaigns, their endorsements do not always translate to voter conversions. For Harris, Swift’s support may be more symbolic than strategic in this highly polarized election cycle.
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