As the 2024 campaign enters its final week, Kamala Harris is leveraging a significant advantage in celebrity endorsements, with icons like Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé rallying behind her. In contrast, Donald Trump turns to a different roster of supporters, including Kid Rock, Waka Flocka Flame, and Hulk Hogan.
Democrats have a long history of utilizing star power to energize their campaigns, particularly as they approach critical moments when voter engagement is key. This strategy has been boosted by the increasing vocal opposition from celebrities against Trump, a trend that has continued to gain momentum over the years. However, past experiences, such as with Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, show that the enthusiastic atmosphere at these events might sometimes overshadow underlying issues with candidates.
Harris’s campaign has already featured high-profile performances leading up to the election on October 20. Recently, music legend Stevie Wonder energized churchgoers in Jonesboro, Georgia, with a powerful rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.” Shortly after, Harris joined former President Barack Obama for a rally in Atlanta that showcased Springsteen’s talents alongside speeches by noted figures like filmmaker Spike Lee and actor Samuel L. Jackson. This was quickly followed by another event in Texas featuring performances from Willie Nelson and Beyoncé.
The push for celebrity endorsements doesn’t stop with Harris. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, also benefited from star power during his recent campaign events in North Carolina, where singer-songwriter James Taylor performed. Both Harris and Walz participated in a gathering in Michigan that included a special five-song set by singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers.
Public enthusiasm for Harris is evident among attendees like Ashley Oberheide, who expressed her excitement for the musical performances but emphasized her support for Harris herself. Similarly, University of Michigan nursing student Audrey Hudson reflected on the dual motivation of fulfilling her civic duty while enjoying an artist she deeply admires. “Maggie Rogers has had a huge impact on me since middle school,” Hudson remarked, asserting that such musicians resonate with young voters and can influence turnout.
Rachel Lieberman, a local resident, noted that the rally was her third event supporting Harris and she felt that performances like Rogers’ could help mobilize younger voters. “It’s crucial to engage the younger generations in the voting process,” Lieberman stated.
Beyond the rallies, the Democratic campaign is strategically countering negative comments made by individuals like Tony Hinchcliffe, a comedian who recently spoke at a Trump event. Following his controversial remarks about Puerto Rico, prominent Puerto Rican celebrities such as Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin offered their support to Harris, collectively reaching over 300 million followers on social media.
Harris’s “When We Vote We Win” concert series aims to motivate supporters to vote early, with more celebrity endorsements anticipated in the final stretch of the campaign. Upcoming events include a rally in Madison, Wisconsin, featuring performances from Gracie Abrams, Mumford & Sons, Remi Wolf, and members of The National. Later, her rally in Arizona will highlight Los Tigres del Norte, a famous norteño band, followed by a grand finale in Las Vegas, featuring Maná and a speech from Lopez.
The uniqueness of the 2020 campaign, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in fewer large gatherings, particularly for Democrats. Celebrities participated in social media campaigns to support then-candidate Joe Biden, who ultimately won against Trump.
While Trump has garnered support from celebrities like Lee Greenwood and Dr. Phil, his approach contrasts sharply with Harris’s bustling celebrity-infused events. Trump’s celebrity status often attracts attention to his events, but negative comments during these occasions can complicate his image.
Although these lively celebrity events leave Democrats feeling optimistic, they can also mask deeper issues within the campaign. In the closing days of Clinton’s campaign in 2016, she enjoyed significant celebrity support, including performances from Jon Bon Jovi and Lady Gaga, but ultimately lost crucial battleground states to Trump, who became president.
“Let’s Get Loud,” exclaimed Clinton during one of her final performances. In her mind, the enthusiasm at these events would translate to victory—a belief that ultimately proved misguided as significant states slipped away from her grasp.
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Contributions to this report were made by Associated Press writers Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
