extreme left new york times He admits that celebrity endorsements, at best, could not have “changed course” for Kamala Harris and may even have “backfired” on her.
“Classic celebrities couldn't move the needle.” read This heading is followed by the following subheadings: “Hollywood support, once an integral part of election strategy, may have backfired in this election.”
Yes, it's a real mystery why people aren't interested in what Beyoncé, Oprah, and Harrison Ford have to say when eggs cost $4 a dozen.
of times Donald Trump acknowledged that he had the support of Kanye West, Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Kid Rock, but added that “but by and large, the biggest names in entertainment” supported Kamala Harris. , “It didn't seem to matter much.”
It wasn't always that way. In the past, influential figures like Oprah Winfrey helped elevate lesser-known candidates (such as Barack Obama in 2008), and celebrity endorsements carried considerable weight. It looked like he had it. But influencers, former “micro” celebrities, and podcasters like Joe Rogan (a former comedian with amorphous and largely liberal political views) are reaching larger audiences. Its influence seems to weaken as it acquires more.
“The real game changer will be influencers who are more digitally native and able to leverage their position, their content, their distribution channels,” said Chris Lehane, a former Democratic operative. times.
Republican strategist said. times Celebrity endorsements tell voters, “You're a liberal, elitist, cultural progressive,'' they argue, and “an Oprah or Clooney endorsement is now the kiss of death for large swathes of this country.''
“She didn't get the support of the Teamsters, but she got the support of Hollywood,” said one entertainment media executive. times.
Celebrity endorsements date back more than 100 years, when the biggest star of the era, Al Jolson, campaigned with Warren G. Harding. In 1944, two of America's biggest singers and movie stars campaigned on opposite sides of the fence. Frank Sinatra supported incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Bing Crosby supported his Republican opponent, Thomas Dewey.
Celebrity endorsements reached their peak in 1960, when Sinatra collaborated with the famous Rat Pack (Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford) to promote John F. Kennedy (Lawford's brother-in-law). I did my best for the cause.
So what has changed? Why do we wear such far-left clothing? new york times Respected celebrities such as George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, and Jennifer Lopez, the avengers, and west wingcould it do more harm than good?
Music artist Beyoncé (R) and Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris (L) embrace on stage during a campaign rally in Houston on Friday, October 25, 2024. (Annie Mulligan/Associated Press)
First, this is true, and this is largely due to Hollywood's celebrity/star culture.
A perfect example is Oprah Winfrey. In 2008, Oprah Winfrey was still oprah winfrey. Everyone still saw her as a TV buddy. There was still goodwill among the people, so when she said this man, Barack Obama, was special, people listened. Those days are over. Today, Oprah is seen as just another celebrity, a billionaire, a divisive elitist, out of touch with the ordinary women who made her rich and famous.
And that's the point – good intentions.
Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck were both outspoken, staunch Republicans. Both Humphrey Bogart and Better Davis were outspoken, staunch Democrats. But things were different then. Class mattered. Box office revenue was important. Our customers come first. So while Cooper, Stanwyck, Bogie and Davis vocally supported causes and candidates, they did so politely so as not to alienate their customers.
What I mean is this…they are advocated. that's it. Vote for Roosevelt! Vote for Coolidge! What they never did was attack those who opposed them. Hardcore Democrats like Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney, and John Garfield never called Republicans Nazis, fascists, racists, rebellious, idiots, or evil. In other words, they never lost the favor of half the country. Goodwill can move voters. People you like have influence over you. People who call you a Nazi are not.
And while the stars of the past were elite in their time, they never behaved well. In private, they were probably as selfish and self-centered as today's celebrity class. But their public image was quite different from the smug, entitled, superior attitude of George Clooney, Jane Fonda, Julia-Louis-Dreyfus, and Whoopi Goldberg. .
Throughout most of celebrity history, Americans liked stars who, while it may have been all acting, were humble and grateful in public and never took themselves or their fame too seriously. Because I didn't think about it.
Denzel Washington managed to support Barack Obama without alienating his audience. why? Because he didn't call us Nazis. Denzel has class. The same cannot be said for most of the rest. they hate us They reveal it every time they open their fat mouths. All we are guilty of is hating them back.
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