A media steamroller is sweeping over the American presidential campaign. Since July 21 and the abandonment of Joe Biden in favor of his running mate Kamala Harris, the rallies of stars have multiplied for the benefit of the latter. During the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, actress Kerry Washington and former “first lady” Michelle Obama proclaimed their allegiance to the newcomer. Host Oprah Winfrey will follow, as well as actress Eva Longoria, basketball coach Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs), players Stephen Curry and Magic Johnson.
The contacts previously established with Hollywood are running at full speed: George Clooney will remain the one through whom the fall of Joe Biden was precipitated, on the occasion of a column in the “New York Times” calling on the president to withdraw his candidacy. In his wake, singer Beyoncé throws all her weight behind, contributing millions of dollars to the Harris campaign and authorizing the vice-president to broadcast her hit “Freedom”.
The “Boss” in support of Kamala Harris
The improvised group “Whites Dudes for Harris” mobilizes actors Mark Hamill, Sean Astin, Mark Ruffalo, Jeff Bridges. At the same time, Leonardo DiCaprio, Anne Hathaway, Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lawrence, Stevie Wonder, Billie Eilish, Neil Young, Eminem, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin announce their joining. Bruce Springsteen, who had not supported anyone since 2012, joined the ranks and jumped on stage in Atlanta on October 25… in the company of Barack Obama.
Less support for Trump
On Trump’s side, the celebrities jostle a little less at the gate, but they exist: the actors Dennis Quaid, Jon Voight, James Woods, Russell Brand, Mel Gibson, John Schneider from the television series “Sheriff scare me”, American footballer Brett Favre, basketball player Dennis Rodman, golfer Tiger Woods, rocker Kid Rock, rappers Kanye West, Lil Pump, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, wrestling star Hulk Hogan and Tesla founder Elon Musk.
Essential to victory? In 2008, Oprah Winfrey brought a million female votes to Obama. But the situation has changed: in a 2020 Morning Consult survey, 90% of those questioned believed that no star would influence their choice.
Taylor Swift prescriptrice ?
However, one celebrity could shake up certainties: Taylor Swift. When the 34-year-old star announced her support for Kamala Harris on September 10, the effect was immediate: in 24 hours, 337,000 young Americans rushed to the federal site www.vote.gov to register on the electoral lists.
In April, the Beacon Center institute conducted an opinion survey in Tennessee: 37% of those questioned called themselves “Swifties” and, among them, 12% assured that they would vote for the candidate supported by their idol. Applied to a swing state such as Swift’s native Pennsylvania, this estimate could give Harris a few thousand additional votes and swing the vote in her favor.
