Kamala Harris rallied significant support from celebrities like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Anne Hathaway during her campaign. However, her close association with Hollywood elites led to criticism that she was unapproachable and disconnected from everyday voters. Experts have debated the effectiveness of such celebrity endorsements in political campaigns. Rosalind Dixon, a law and democracy professor at UNSW, suggested that while celebrity support might energise the younger demographic, it could alienate middle-aged voters struggling with economic challenges in key battleground states.
In contrast, Donald Trump garnered support from high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Joe Rogan, which some argue bolstered his credibility among voters seeking economic change. Dixon remarked that celebrity endorsements might reinforce the perception of the Democrats as out of touch, rather than the party of the working class. Jared Mondschein from the United States Studies Centre highlighted that celebrity backing typically doesn’t significantly sway election outcomes, emphasising that fundamental issues are often more decisive. Looking ahead, the use of celebrity figures in political campaigning is likely to persist as candidates seek creative means to capture voter attention.