Pop icon Taylor Swift publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for U.S. President following the conclusion of Harris' debate against her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump. Swift’s endorsement comes at a pivotal moment in the 2024 election, where polls show a tight race between the two candidates.
The singer, who has long been vocal about political and social issues, used her massive platform to advocate for the Democratic nominee, calling Harris a “steady-handed, gifted leader” capable of steering the country with calm instead of chaos.
In an Instagram post shared with her 280 million followers, Swift expressed her intent to vote for Harris in the upcoming November 5th election. The post represents one of the most significant celebrity endorsements in the election so far. Swift wrote:
“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.”
This statement has reverberated through both the political and entertainment spheres, reflecting Swift’s ongoing commitment to progressive causes.
Swift, pictured with her cat in the Instagram post, playfully referred to herself as a "childless cat lady"—a humorous jab at Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, who in 2021 controversially described certain Democrats as “a bunch of childless cat ladies.” Vance has since claimed the comment was sarcastic.
Swift praised Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, for his dedication to key issues. She described him as a leader “who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.” These topics, particularly reproductive rights, have become a focal point for many voters ahead of the 2024 election.
Upon hearing about Swift’s endorsement while on MSNBC, Walz responded, saying he was “incredibly grateful” and encouraged Swift's large fanbase of “Swifties” to get involved and “Get things going.”
The debate over reproductive rights has gained renewed importance since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. Swift’s endorsement comes as Harris continues to position herself as a defender of women’s rights, including abortion and fertility treatments such as IVF, which have been scrutinized following a controversial ruling in Alabama. An Alabama court recently declared that frozen embryos are to be considered people, escalating concerns among reproductive rights advocates.
Harris has repeatedly criticized Trump for his role in appointing Supreme Court justices who played a pivotal role in overturning Roe v. Wade. Trump, while supporting the Court’s decision, has suggested that abortion rights should be determined at the state level rather than through a federal ban.
Swift also referenced a fake social media post shared by Trump in August, in which her image was manipulated to suggest she supported him in the election.
In her Instagram post, Swift addressed this directly, saying, “Trump’s move really conjured up my fears around AI and the dangers of spreading misinformation.” She emphasized the importance of transparency in her political stance, concluding: “It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter.”
This isn’t Swift’s first foray into politics. She supported President Joe Biden in the 2020 election and has consistently used her platform to advocate for various causes, including LGBTQ+ rights, environmental issues, and women’s rights. Her support for Harris further highlights the connection between political activism and the entertainment industry.
Harris has garnered significant support from the entertainment industry, with many Hollywood actors, producers, and filmmakers endorsing her candidacy. As a native Californian, Harris is viewed by many in the industry as a "hometown candidate." She and her husband, Doug Emhoff, a former entertainment lawyer, reside in Brentwood, an affluent Los Angeles neighborhood known for its celebrity residents.