This week, much attention has been paid to pop singer Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris, but she isn’t the first celebrity to shake up a presidential race with their support.
The legendary Las Vegas entertainer Frank Sinatra made headlines in the 20th century with multiple endorsements of Ronald Reagan. Sinatra’s first public show of support for Reagan came during the latter’s campaign for governor of California. Later, Sinatra continued his endorsement during Reagan’s bid for the U.S. presidency. Despite being well known for his fervent support of Democrat John Kennedy during the 1960s, Sinatra became co-chairman of the Californians for Reagan organization when the Republican candidate was running for governor in 1970.
A decade later, Sinatra, alongside fellow Las Vegas headliner Dean Martin, stood by Reagan as he announced his presidential run. However, the notion that another Las Vegas legend, Elvis Presley, similarly endorsed Richard Nixon is misleading. The myth arose from a photo op of Presley and Nixon at the White House in 1970, during which Elvis requested a federal agent badge after asking for a meeting with the president.
An undeniably impactful celebrity endorsement came long after, when Oprah Winfrey publicly backed Barack Obama in 2008, significantly boosting his presidential campaign.
This week, Swift’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris also garnered notable attention and could have substantial implications for the ongoing race. “Taylor Swift’s post-debate endorsement of Harris will certainly move the needle given her influence and fan base. I do not think it is an overstatement to say that Swift’s endorsement is the most consequential celebrity endorsement in political history,” stated Robert Jarvis, a professor at the Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center and gambling law expert.
Shortly following the Tuesday debate, Swift expressed her support in an online post: “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for Kamala Harris 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 much more in this country if led by calm rather than chaos. I was heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate Tim Walz.”
It was also revealed on Thursday that Americans won’t witness another debate between Trump and Harris, as Trump declined further debates despite Harris’s campaign request. Trump declared victory in this week’s debate, though many observers believed Harris emerged as the winner. Trump and his supporters also criticized the ABC news anchors who moderated the debate, accusing them of bias in favor of Harris.
