Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, bolstered by vast celebrity endorsements and hefty spending, failed to secure victory in the 2024 election.
According to the Daily Caller, The story sheds light on the declining influence and public approval of celebrities engaging in political dialogue, evidenced by recent polling figures and the outcome of the 2024 presidential race.
Despite endorsements from famous figures like Beyoncé, LeBron James, and Taylor Swift, Vice President Kamala Harris found little success in the polls. The involvement of celebrities in her campaign, which included performances and public endorsements, ultimately did not translate into the necessary voter support.
An AP/NORC poll involving 1,251 adults across the United States illuminated the general sentiment towards celebrities and athletes discussing politics. Only about a quarter of those surveyed showed approval for this trend.
Particularly strong opposition was noted among Republicans, with only 11% supporting such celebrity involvement and over half, 61%, expressing disapproval. Democrats were slightly more accepting, with 31% showing favor towards celebrities speaking on political issues, but skepticism remained prevalent.
The poll also indicated that Americans are somewhat more receptive to political discussions by small businesses, with 43% approval. In contrast, large companies received only 19% approval from Republicans and 31% approval from Democrats for their political expressions.
Vice President Harris's campaign sparing no expense on celebrity engagement. It reportedly paid a staggering $1 million to Oprah Winfrey's production company for her participation in a campaign town hall. Moreover, up to $20 million was expended on live performances by stars such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry in key swing states. These efforts, however, didn't yield the expected political dividends as the campaign struggled to sway the electorate.
Even with a powerful lineup of additional backing from stars like Demi Lovato and Cardi B, Harris's campaign incurred a massive $1 billion overall budget, plunging into a $20 million debt by its conclusion. This extensive financial commitment underscores the high stakes and costly gambits political campaigns often employ to woo voters.
The abundance of political content has seemingly led to widespread news fatigue among the electorate. According to the same AP/NORC poll, a significant majority of U.S. adults, 65%, are trying to limit their intake of political news.
This sentiment is even more pronounced among Democrats, where 72% express a desire to scale back on political information, compared to 59% of Republicans. This overexposure to political narratives, especially during election cycles, might be contributing to the growing disapproval of celebrity endorsements in politics.
The defeat in November suggests a need to reconsider the role of celebrity endorsements in political campaigns. Americans' growing weariness of political news and skepticism towards the influence of celebrities and big business in politics are pivotal factors that campaigns might need to address in future electoral strategies.
The 2024 presidential election has sparked a broader discussion about the efficacy and appropriateness of celebrity endorsements in political arenas. As public opinion shifts towards a more restrained approach to celebrity political advocacy, future campaigns might lean less on star power and more on direct voter engagement. Candidate strategies may evolve as they balance public scrutiny and the increasing desire among voters for political discussions that are more relatable and grounded in everyday concerns rather than celebrity glamour.
The complex interplay between celebrity endorsements, campaign financing, and voter attitudes reveals a changing landscape in American politics, where the effectiveness of traditional campaign tactics, like celebrity endorsements, are being reconsidered in light of shifting public sentiments.
