The Clarion - Celebrities & Politics: The Power of Influence in a New Era

Taylor Swift and Kamala Harris Deadline

Celebrities & Politics: The Power of Politics in the New Era

OCTOBER 15, 2024, 10:06 P.M.

In today’s world, celebrities hold unprecedented power beyond the entertainment industry. In a September Instagram post, Taylor Swift—one of the world’s most influential pop stars—endorsed Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for the 2024 presidential election. Shortly after, voter registration soared, with hundreds of thousands of visits to vote.gov. Swift’s influence reignited a crucial debate: Should celebrities be obligated to speak out about politics?

For Swift, influence in the political arena is not new. She supported Democratic candidates in the 2018 midterm elections and again in 2020 to endorse Joe Biden. Other celebrities have also leveraged their influence to endorse presidential candidates. Bryce Hall, a prominent social media influencer, supported and joined Republican candidate and former president, Donald Trump, at a Las Vegas rally. Beyoncé allowed Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris to use her song “Freedom” in campaign videos. But the question remains: should celebrities, with their influence, engage in politics?

To some, like EBHS sophomore Abigail Effendi, celebrities hold too much sway over their fanbases. “Celebrities shouldn’t use their mass fanbase to get them to vote on a certain candidate. Their fans should vote for who they believe is the better candidate,” Effendi said. This perspective highlights concerns over the potential for celebrity endorsements to create undue influence on voters who might follow their favorite stars without fully understanding the issues at hand.

Chappell Roan, an emerging pop star known for her advocacy of LGBTQ+ rights, found herself at the center of controversy after refusing to endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 election. Roan initially avoided endorsing a presidential candidate due to her dissatisfaction with both presidential candidates and some of their policies. This neutral stance led some fans to mistakenly believe she might support Trump, resulting in significant backlash. Pressured by this misinterpretation, Roan was harassed online and ultimately felt compelled to clarify that she was voting for Kamala Harris this year.

Zachary Levi, star of DC’s “Shazam!” endorsed Donald Trump at a political event in Michigan. Levi recognized that he was one of few celebrities choosing to support President Trump. Yet, he decided to become public with his beliefs, despite his belief in being part of a Hollywood minority.

“I think celebrity influence is highly appreciated and encouraged, however, every single person is entitled to their right to remain silent about any given topic,” said Rowan Meer, a sophomore at EBHS.

Celebrities have the right to express their political views, but they are not obligated to do so, and the decision to stay neutral is equally valid. They have the capability to use their platforms to spread information about topics that are important to them—just like any other individual. However, with that right comes great responsibility, as many larger celebrities have fan bases that may be swayed to follow a celebrity’s political beliefs without fully understanding or supporting the issues themselves. This can flip America’s democratic voting process on its head, transforming it into a wider-scale popularity contest.

The role of celebrities in political issues raises questions about influence and responsibility. As some choose to express their views publicly, the impact of their endorsements can vary among audiences. From EBHS students to voters, active citizens may find it beneficial to consider multiple sources of information and viewpoints when evaluating candidates. A balanced understanding of different opinions can contribute to informed decision-making, ensuring that values guide the electoral process rather than solely relying on celebrity endorsements.