As the 2024 presidential raceheated up, we saw the usual suspects: policy debates, campaign rallies and, of course, the parade of
celebrity endorsements. Every election cycle, Hollywood’s biggest names line up to throw their weight behind a candidate. But really, do these endorsements ever actually sway anyone’s vote?
In the grand scheme of things, it’s more like we’re witnessing a performance for social media than a meaningful contribution to democracy.
When Taylor Swift endorsed one candidate and Kid Rock backed another, were undecided voters suddenly struck with clarity?Doubtful. It’s less about the issues and more about celebrities flexing their political muscles. Sure, they get retweets and headlines, but I don’t see the needle moving in battleground states like Nevada or Michigan.
Still, the celebrity-industrial complex churns on, as if Billie Eilish giving a thumbs-up to Kamala Harris is the key to solving climate change. And let’s not forget the absurdity of celebrities playing pundits. When did we start looking to actors, musicians
and influencers for political wisdom? Do we really need to hear what some washed-up ex-wrestler thinks about Donald Trump’s personal qualities? Someone’s ability to memorize lines or release a hit single doesn’t exactly qualify them to weigh in on the intricacies of foreign policy. But hey, if it trends on Twitter, who’s complaining?
Then there’s the candidate’s reaction. You can practically see them smirking as they post a selfie with their newest A-lister, hoping the glow from that star power rubs off on their poll numbers. It’s a symbiotic relationship: Celebrities get to look like they care about the issues, and candidates get a shiny new endorsement to flaunt.
Unfortunately for them, voters see through the smoke and mirrors—especially when the candidate, mid-speech, can barely pronounce the celebrity’s name. The real profiteers of these endorsements are the candidates’ social media managers and internet lurkers, who capitalize on the buzz around celebrity endorsements. Within minutes, we get memes, debates in the comments and viral clips of billionaires like Elon Musk laughing about firing strike workers. It’s political theater at its best but not exactly campaign gold.
Of course, some people will swear up and down that celebrity endorsements do make a difference. They’ll tell you that stars have massive followings, and when they speak, their fans listen—especially young voters who apparently wouldn’t know what a ballot is unless Timothée Chalamet explained it to them. That’s about where it ends.
Sure, people might toss a like or two at a celebrity’s political hot take, but it doesn’t mean they’re actually going to drag themselves to the polls and pull the lever just because their favorite icon tweeted about the environment. A California State Polytechnic University study shows that voters, shocking as it may seem, tend to care more about things like policies, personal values and, you know, actual issues—not which Kardashian endorsed whom. The idea that some movie star’s approval can change
he course of democracy assumes voters are way more easily swayed than they are.
Celebrity endorsements are a spectacle, not a strategy. They might help sell concert tickets or push Netflix subscriptions, but winning the White House? That’s a much tougher gig. As the election rolls on, expect more endorsements, more cringe-worthy campaign videos and more hashtags. Just don’t expect them to change anyone’s mind.
From the November 2024 Issue of tjTODAY