On the night before Election Day, campaign events across the country saw a star-studded lineup turn out in support of Kamala Harris’ presidential bid. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and Jon Bon Jovi rallied for Harris in key battleground states, adding a touch of glitz and glamour to the political proceedings.
Pennsylvania emerged as a focal point for Harris’ campaign. In Pittsburgh, Vice President Harris’ rally featured performances and appearances from Cedric the Entertainer, Katy Perry, and Andra Day. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the culmination of Harris’ relentless campaign dash through the state, showcased DJ Cassidy, Fat Joe, Ricky Martin, and a soulful rendition of “God Bless America” by Lady Gaga. Oprah Winfrey added to the event’s emotional weight, bringing first-time voters on stage to share their experiences.
However, Republican Donald Trump was far from impressed with Harris’ lineup of celebrity endorsements. At his own concurrent rally in Pittsburgh, the former president took a moment to focus on one celebrity in particular: Beyoncé. Trump criticized Beyoncé’s recent appearance at a Harris rally in Houston, expressing disappointment that the pop icon did not perform at the event.
“Beyoncé would come in. Everyone’s expecting a couple of songs. There were no songs. There was no happiness,” Trump remarked, eliciting boos from his supporters. Contrary to Trump’s statements, Beyoncé’s presence on stage, alongside her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, was marked by an enthusiastic and impassioned speech that received a warm reception from Harris’ supporters.
In a nod to her political support, Beyoncé had previously allowed the Harris campaign to use her 2016 track “Freedom” from the acclaimed album “Lemonade” as its anthem. Trump nevertheless suggested that Harris could have learned from the 2016 campaign of Hillary Clinton, who had Beyoncé perform at a rally in Cleveland, indicating that having her speak might keep the crowd engaged longer.
Trump emphasized that his campaign did not require celebrity endorsements to draw crowds, stating, “We don’t need a star because we have policy. We have great policy.” Despite this, Trump highlighted the presence of notable figures at his rally, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, media personality Megyn Kelly, and Roberto Clemente’s son.
Harris’ final pre-election push featured a coordinated effort across the battleground states, with performances integrated into a live Democratic get-out-the-vote stream. In Las Vegas, Christina Aguilera and electro-dance duo Sofi Tukker took to the stage. Raleigh, North Carolina, saw an appearance by Sugarland, the country music duo comprising Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. In Detroit, Jon Bon Jovi provided a poignant acoustic rendition of his band’s hit “Livin’ on a Prayer,” resonating with the working-class audience.
As the hours dwindled before Election Day, both campaigns showcased contrasting strategies: Harris leveraging star power to motivate voters, while Trump underscored his policy-focused approach amidst a few notable endorsements. Each rally reflected distinctive campaign philosophies as the nation braced for the electoral outcome.
