Democrats are hiring A-listers after a brutal election loss to Vice President Harris, which sparked existential questions within the party about whether it is disconnected from working-class voters. The steady reliance on celebrity endorsements is questionable.
Harris has a number of policies aimed at lifting up working-class Americans, from embracing the child tax credit to proposals to make housing more affordable and combat price gouging by corporations. Ta.
But her campaign also had flashy elements, from an endorsement of Taylor Swift to an appearance by Beyoncé on the final day of the campaign. Beyoncé's 2016 hit “Freedom” was used as the unofficial theme song throughout Harris' bid for the White House.
Other celebrities who have endorsed Harris include Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Lopez, George Clooney, Jon Bon Jovi and Cardi B.
In the end, none of it mattered. Harris lost all the battleground states, and former President Trump saw Democrats gain ground in blue states. Washington was the only state in the coalition that moved in favor of Harris compared to the 2020 presidential election. Trump appears to have scored his biggest victories in California, where votes are still being counted, and in Springsteen's home states of New York and New Jersey.
In the wake of the crushing defeat, many Democrats said the party needed to move away from its fascination with Hollywood and A-list celebrities, and also said they believed such support was helping the party.
“For some reason, we think that once Beyoncé gets on stage, all our problems will be solved,” said one Democratic strategist.
“What people don't realize is that it actually makes the situation worse. “We are reinforcing the perception that this is not the case,” the source said.
Jennifer Brubaker, associate professor of communications at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, said, “President Trump's stance against elites, and his supporters are not elitists and are not fighting elitists. “That message came out of his campaign.”
“And now Mr. Harris' campaign is tied to celebrities who are actually considered elitists. Really, it's just reinforced a lot of things. [Trump’s] That's the message,” said the author of “Celebrities and the American Political Process: Integrated Marketing Communications.''
Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) didn't accuse celebrity endorsements of hurting support for Democrats among working-class voters, but said the party has a critical problem. He said there is.
“It shouldn't be too surprising that the Democratic Party, which has abandoned working-class people, now realizes that the working class has abandoned them,” Sanders said in a statement about Tuesday's election results.
Ahead of Election Day, the Harris campaign was defending its reliance on Hollywood for a star-studded boost. The campaign said in a statement that celebrity representatives serve as “trusted voices for the millions of Americans who listen to their music, follow them on social media, or are inspired by them.” He said that he is fulfilling his role.
The Harris campaign's idea, the campaign announced at the time, was that celebrities would “use their voices to voice the stakes of this election, further encouraging and mobilizing people to vote.” It was something.
Stephen A. Smith said this week: podcast of the same name Voters say they often feel out of touch with Hollywood executives who speak out about politics.
“After all, celebrities who are worth hundreds of millions, if not billions, of whom most Americans feel incredibly disconnected from their own way of life and quality of life.” However, even though he commits the crime of doing something different from what he has done before, he gets away with it. “Their experience shows us that this is happening and what we should do about it,” said the legendary TV talk show host, speaking at Harris' rally. He spoke after watching the Oprah Winfrey video.
in Post on social platform X this week“Voters don't listen to Hollywood celebrities when it comes to voting,” said Mark Penn, an adviser to Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.
“Most voters think Hollywood is great for entertainment, but far from a concern when it comes to voting,” Penn said.
Some Democrats argued that the purpose of using celebrities was not to garner support. It's about attracting attention.
“Celebrity involvement is an advantage for Democrats, but those endorsements don't move votes. They just move eyeballs,” said Jamal Simmons, a Democratic strategist.
President-elect Trump has been a celebrity himself for the past 40 years or so, and knows the value of celebrity.
But the big names he relied on didn't represent the A-list. The celebrities he invited to the Republican National Convention and campaign stops, from Hulk Hogan to Kid Rock, also didn't seem to represent the elite.
Democrats have sometimes ridiculed these celebrity endorsements online, claiming that Trump's supporters are married or fringe celebrities. But it may have ultimately worked to Trump's advantage at the polls.
The last person to announce his endorsement on Monday night was podcaster Joe Rogan, whose predominantly male supporters are Trump's most targeted demographic.
“We mocked the other side and said, 'We've got Bruce and Jon Bon Jovi, and we've got Lady Gaga and Pink.' So who do we have? Hulk Hogan and Kid. Rock? And we think that's appealing to voters,” the Democratic strategist said.
“It's a joke,” the source added.
Star power can help attract attention and brighten fundraising numbers, but voters are more likely to rely on candidates to make campaign promises to ordinary Americans and to befriend and rely on red carpet regulars. If you feel that way, it can backfire.
The election results may cause Democrats to reconsider their plans for 2028.
That said, celebrity endorsements are unlikely to disappear.
First, it is unlikely that high-profile entertainers will remain silent during the campaign or even during President Trump's term.
For years, many performers have chosen not to take the opportunity to alienate their fan bases by speaking out about politics, but the rise of the Trump presidency in 2016 and much of Hollywood's opposition to Trump has led to a major shift in the entertainment industry. brought about change.
But while movie stars, singers and other big names are unlikely to stop getting political, experts say campaigns can best optimize support from “out-of-touch” wealthy and famous people. It is stated that there is a possibility of rewriting the scenario in this way. Going forward, candidates may use celebrities in more strategic ways, focusing on the issues that matter most to voters and encouraging them to vote, rather than risking the spotlight.
First Strategist echoed that sentiment, noting that President Barack Obama's 2008 pre-election rally drew thousands of supporters to see him, but he was not a big star.
“That should be the golden rule,” the strategist said. “Let's go back to the basics.”
