In the nail-biting final days of the 2024 presidential race, both candidates are calling in the heavy hitters – from the worlds of music, movies, and sports. With polls showing a dead heat between incumbent Kamala Harris and challenger Donald Trump, an all-star cast of celebrity surrogates is hitting the campaign trail, aiming to sway undecided voters and energize turnout.
Celebrity Endorsement Showdown
Harris has long held an advantage in star power, and her roster in the home stretch is a who’s who of pop royalty. Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Latin music icon Bad Bunny have all shared the stage with the president in recent weeks. The endorsements have generated buzz, but also accusations of elitism from the Trump camp.
The Democrats are the party of the coastal elites and out-of-touch celebrities.
– A Trump campaign spokesperson told reporters
Trump’s own surrogate operation, while lower wattage, aims for a specific audience. Country singer Jason Aldean, former NFL star Brett Favre, and wrestler-turned-actor John Cena have stumped for the GOP nominee, as have Guardians of the Galaxy actor Zachary Levi and Dr. Phil McGraw.
Do Celebrity Endorsements Matter?
For all the media attention they generate, there is little evidence that A-list endorsers actually change minds. According to one recent survey:
- Only 11% of voters say a celebrity has caused them to reconsider a political stance
- Just 7% report voting for a candidate based on a star’s endorsement
Instead, insiders say the real value of celebrity surrogates is mobilization, not persuasion. When stars like Swift or Beyoncé speak out, it drives voter registration and awareness, especially among younger fans. An Instagram post by Kylie Jenner in 2020 linking to Vote.org generated a 1500% traffic surge.
The Oprah Effect
The elusive endorsement that candidates crave is that of Oprah Winfrey. The media mogul’s backing of Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary was a watershed, said to have delivered over 1 million votes. Winfrey has been active again this cycle, appearing with Harris and raising millions. But even for Oprah, swaying opinions in a general election is a taller order than a primary.
Chasing the Gen Z Vote
One key target for Harris’ celebrity push is Generation Z. The under-25 cohort is predicted to make up nearly 15% of the electorate in 2024, a segment that leans Democratic but has been skeptical of establishment figures. Stars like Beyoncé and Bad Bunny give the 61-year-old Harris a cultural cool factor with young voters looking for relatable messengers.
Gen Z isn’t susceptible to traditional advertising. You need an authentic voice to reach them where they are – on social media and streaming platforms.
– A Democratic strategist involved with youth outreach told reporters
The Vibe Factor
Ultimately, the impact of 2024’s celeb-studded campaign may come down to creating a winning “vibe” – that undefinable sense of energy and enthusiasm around a candidate. For Democrats, ceding the culture to Trump in 2016 was a searing experience. Even if Lady Gaga and LeBron can’t flip votes, the campaign hopes, they will at least seize the zeitgeist. In a race this close, even a marginal boost in turnout or excitement could prove decisive.
