As the 2024 election approaches, Democrats are relying on celebrity endorsements to energize voters and encourage turnout. They believe that celebrities can attract attention and bring excitement to their campaign events.
Historically, Democrats have had an advantage with celebrity support, especially during critical election periods. This trend intensified during Donald Trump’s presidency, as many celebrities began speaking out against him. While these events can create a lot of enthusiasm, past experiences- like Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign- show that they might not always lead to success.
Recently, Kamala Harris received support from music legend Stevie Wonder at a rally in Georgia, where he performed a Bob Marley song. Other notable events included appearances by former President Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen, and even Beyoncé at rallies in Atlanta and Texas. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also joined Harris at events featuring singer-songwriter James Taylor and Maggie Rogers.
Attendees expressed their enthusiasm for both the candidates and the performances. Ashley Oberheide, who attended a rally in Ann Arbor, noted that while she supports Harris, having musical acts was a bonus. Another attendee, nursing student Audrey Hudson, saw attending the rally as a chance to support the candidates and enjoy a favorite artist’s performance.
The campaign is also gaining traction with celebrities outside of performance events. After a comedian at a Trump rally made derogatory comments about Puerto Rico, stars like Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin publicly supported the Democrats, leveraging their massive social media followings.
The Democrats’ focus on celebrity-driven events creates a lively atmosphere, which can mask potential campaign issues. The excitement generated by these events might make it easier to overlook challenges, similar to what happened in Clinton’s 2016 campaign when she lost despite star-studded final rallies.
Overall, the final week of the campaign is a crucial time for both parties, with Democrats hoping that celebrity endorsements will help them secure a victory at the polls.
LH/SR