Taylor Swift’s Political Influence: How Her Endorsement Might Shape the Future of the US Presidential Race

Taylor Swift's endorsement "could play a pivotal role" in influencing the outcome of the US election, according to political analysts.

The presidential campaigns of candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are entering a tense period ahead of the November election. According to the Hollywood Reporter , both are currently supported by many artists with different levels of fame, but they still hope to have Taylor Swift's credibility.

Recently, former President Donald Trump attracted attention when he shared a photo of an AI Taylor Swift fan and a singer who supported him. Young Americans laughed at Trump's actions, saying that his current campaign could not defeat Ms. Harris so he used this method, according to USA Today .

Donald Trump posted a fake photo of Taylor Swift's fan community on his personal platform on August 19. Photo: Truth Social/ @realDonaldTrump

So far, Taylor Swift has not expressed her stance, but with her status as an international superstar, Hollywood Reporter believes many people will listen to her point of view.

According to Mark Wheeler, professor of political communication at London Metropolitan University, women's votes matter, so Taylor Swift's choice will further influence the decisions of young female voters.

Although the singer has yet to speak out, fans have formed an organization called Swifties for Kamala to support the campaign, exchanging friendship bracelets in support of Ms. Harris. The project’s Instagram currently has more than 45,000 followers. On August 27, the organizers launched an election call with the participation of singer Carole King and Senator Elizabeth Warren, raising more than $100,000.

Kelly Jacobs, 65, a community activist, wears a Kamala Harris-themed outfit and a friendship bracelet at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19. Photo: USA Today

Experts say celebrity endorsements can have a tangible impact on voter choice, but it’s hard to quantify exactly how much influence there is because of the many variables involved. But in a tight election, celebrity endorsements could be game-changing in some key states, especially for those who haven’t yet chosen a side.

"Taylor Swift has the potential to influence the middle class — the undecided," said Mark Harvey, associate professor at St. Mary's University and author of Celebrity Influence . "I think the impact will be limited, but it could be pivotal in very close states."

David J. Jackson, a political science professor at Bowling Green State University, explains that her voice is credible because of her status and the love of her fan community. He also believes that artists who are selective in publicly supporting their parties "have more weight" than those who speak out frequently.

“For celebrities who have a voice in politics, their influence may diminish after each public endorsement of politicians because many people think: ‘They are just celebrities trying to persuade their fans to vote for their preferred MP.’ As public figures, the importance of making selective, strategic and careful political statements may increase,” the professor argues.

Taylor Swift at "The Eras Tour" concert in London in August. Photo: TAS Rights Management

Taylor Swift is usually cautious about political issues, limiting her personal views. With a large fan base, her stance attracts a lot of attention. She first campaigned for two Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee's 2018 election on Instagram , increasing the number of voters. In September 2023, she called for people to register to vote on her Instagram story , which Vote.org recorded a 22.5% increase in participation compared to the previous year, with a 1,226% increase in registration within an hour of posting.

Taylor Swift , 35, is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame with her country music in 2006. After 10 albums, Swift has received 14 Grammy Awards and 29 Billboard Awards. In December 2023, Guinness recognized The Eras Tour as the highest-grossing tour of all time, reaching over $1 billion. The singer's net worth is approximately $1.1 billion.