The 2024 American presidential election is in full swing, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump as the top contenders. For many, especially Muslim American voters disheartened by U.S. foreign policies, the choice may feel discouraging. Yet this election highlights a pressing issue: the future of American democracy. Despite this, low voter turnout remains a challenge.
Why Americans Are Not Voting Enough
1. No Automatic Registration
In contrast to other countries, the U.S. doesn’t automatically register its citizens to vote upon turning 18.
2. Complicated Voting Rules
Varying state laws for voter ID, absentee ballots, and early voting can confuse people, making the process challenging.
3. Low Trust in Government
Many Americans care deeply about issues like immigration, climate change, and gun violence. However, only a small percentage trust the government to address these effectively, with only about 2% believing the government does what’s right “almost always.”
These barriers, combined with voter apathy among younger citizens, mean only about two-thirds of Americans show up for presidential elections. But in recent years, celebrities have stepped in, using their influence to encourage voter participation.
The Role of Celebrities in Influencing Voters
American culture celebrates celebrities, often making them figures people look up to and trust. They build connections with fans through social media, turning their support for political causes into powerful motivators. For example:
- Kylie Jenner: Her Instagram post encouraging voter registration in 2020 led to an 80% spike in registrations.
- Ariana Grande: Set up voter registration booths at her concerts.
- David Dobrik: Boosted youth voter registration by giving away Teslas.
- Billie Eilish and Mariah Carey: Their posts about the need for poll workers in 2022 brought in around 60,000 new volunteers.
A 2024 Harvard study on celebrity engagement noted that seeing a favourite celebrity actively voting or promoting civic involvement can inspire fans to do the same.
Also Read: Allan’s prediction; Trump or Biden for 2024
Celebrity Support in 2024: Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump
In 2024, several high-profile celebrities have aligned themselves with Kamala Harris, while Trump’s camp also has supporters. Here’s a look at the celebrities backing each candidate:
Celebrities Supporting Kamala Harris
- Beyoncé: Recently appeared with Harris at a Houston rally, drawing significant media attention.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: A former Republican governor, now supporting Harris for the 2024 election.
- Jennifer Lopez: Vocal about her support for Harris on social media.
- Taylor Swift: Her endorsement for Harris in 2024 led to 500,000 new voter registrations within a single day.
- Mark Cuban: The billionaire entrepreneur backs Harris.
- Billie Eilish: Promoted Harris on social media alongside her brother.
- Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Hathaway, Bad Bunny, and Charli XCX: Showed support for Harris through social media and at events.
- Avengers Assemble: The whole cast of Avengers, including Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Scarlet Johansson, and Chris Evans, showed their support for Kamala.
Also Read: Simpson’s May Have Predicted Kamala Harris’s Presidency
Looking at Kamala Harris’s position in the US Presidential election, her fan following is huge compared to former US President Donald Trump. Fun fact: A few months ago, it was highlighted that the famous Future Predictor cartoon show Simpson had already predicted the next president of the United States.
Celebrities Supporting Donald Trump
- Kid Rock: A long-time supporter, he’s been vocal about his loyalty to Trump’s campaign.
- Dr. Phil: Publicly aligned with Trump for the 2024 election.
- Paula Deen: The celebrity chef has expressed her endorsement of Trump.
- Kanye West: Despite controversies, he has continued to back Trump.
- Elon Musk and Mel Gibson: Both have shown their support for Trump despite the public’s polarized opinions.
While Harris’s supporters span pop culture icons, Trump’s lineup is more conservative, with familiar but older names and a few controversial figures.
Also Read: Trump’s Pennsylvania Shooting: Rally Goer Killed While Protecting His Family
Celebrities as a Tool in Political Campaigns
Even with criticism, celebrities have proven to be valuable, unpaid assets for political campaigns. For example, in 2018, a single post by Taylor Swift led to 65,000 voter registrations within 24 hours. Similarly, her recent support for Harris sparked a surge in new voter registrations, showing her influence goes beyond music. In contrast, Trump, a former reality TV star, represents a different kind of celebrity culture, appealing to a more niche audience.
Both campaigns recognize that high-profile celebrity endorsements not only attract attention but can also sway younger voters.
Brands and Media Join the 2024 Election Conversation
The 2024 election has seen brands and media groups taking sides as well. Harris’s campaign, for example, has launched a clothing line, “Designers for Democracy,” with pieces from major designers like Vera Wang and Prabal Gurung. Makeup brand Glossier partnered with civic groups to boost voter registration at stores nationwide. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times took a surprising stance by not endorsing a candidate, reflecting growing divisions over U.S. foreign policy.
Do Celebrity Endorsements Sway Elections?
Some experts argue that celebrity endorsements serve the celebrity more than the candidate. According to NYU professor Laurence Maslon, endorsements often elevate the celebrity’s public image rather than significantly boosting the candidate’s success. However, the Harvard Study 2024 argues that celebrities can impact civic engagement and change public perceptions of voting.
While the U.S. still trails behind other nations in voter turnout, with millions disengaged from the democratic process, celebrity influence offers a new way to inspire people to vote. Whether or not it directly changes election outcomes, celebrity involvement may be what helps many Americans find a renewed sense of purpose in participating in democracy.
