Pop icon Taylor Swift made headlines on the evening of September 10, 2024, by publicly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president, following a high-stakes debate with former President Donald Trump. The endorsement, however, seems to have cost Swift some of her popularity among Republicans, as recent polling reveals a significant dip in her favorability within the party.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Swift expressed her strong support for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” Swift wrote. “I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader, and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”
Swift also praised Governor Walz for his advocacy on key issues, including LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom. “I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades,” she added.
Encouraging her fans to do their own research and exercise their right to vote, Swift also took the opportunity to remind first-time voters about the importance of registering early and shared a link to voter registration resources. “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make,” Swift concluded.
However, the political endorsement hasn’t gone unnoticed by Swift’s Republican fan base. A new poll conducted by J.L. Partners for DailyMail shows that 57 percent of Republican respondents now view the 34-year-old superstar unfavorably, a marked decrease from earlier opinion surveys. On the other hand, 71 percent of Democrats maintain a positive opinion of her.
Among Independent voters, 50 percent view Swift favorably or somewhat favorably, while 27 percent have a negative opinion of her. Despite this division, the poll revealed that young voters, particularly those aged 18 to 29, responded positively to Swift’s endorsement. Around 52 percent of that demographic said they were more likely to vote for the Democratic nominee after Swift’s public declaration of support.
The poll, conducted between September 13 and 15 with 1,054 likely voters, also highlighted the broader challenges facing Vice President Harris. Many respondents attributed key issues such as inflation, the border crisis, and the mishandling of the Afghanistan withdrawal to her leadership. Despite this, Swift’s endorsement could boost Harris’s campaign among younger voters, who have shown some of the lowest enthusiasm for voting in the upcoming election.
James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners, noted the growing polarization surrounding Swift’s political involvement. “It’s finally happened: Taylor Swift has turned from Miss Americana to The Archer in the political crossfire,” he remarked. “She is now viewed like many other things in American discourse, from the economy to news networks: through a partisan lens.”
Johnson added that while Swift’s endorsement may not have an immediate impact, her influence could play a pivotal role in swing states as the election nears. “If Swift is active in October in encouraging young people to vote, it could make a difference in swing states with tight margins,” he said. “Harris certainly needs her help: our polling shows that 18-29-year-olds heavily support Harris but are also some of the least enthusiastic about their vote in November. If that changes, Donald Trump is not Out of the Woods just yet.”
As the 2024 presidential election unfolds, Swift’s endorsement is yet another reminder of how celebrity voices can shape political discourse and influence voter turnout, particularly among younger generations. Whether her support will help sway the race remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Swift’s political stance is now firmly in the spotlight.