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The 2024 campaign for the US presidential election lacked a standout narrative and saw a general lack of excitement for a potential rematch between candidates in their 80s and 90s. However, last week it became fixated on Taylor Swift and whether or not she will endorse a candidate.
One group believed that the 34-year-old celebrity would use her influence to sway thousands of her fans towards Biden’s re-election campaign. On the other hand, angry Republicans initially tried to discredit and accuse her of being involved in conspiracy theories, but eventually changed their approach.
The magazine Rolling Stone stated that supporters of Donald Trump were promising a “holy war” against Taylor Swift if she supports the Democratic party in the upcoming November election. There are also speculations that the National Football League is manipulating games in favor of Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, in order to improve the chances of receiving an endorsement from the Democrats.
Jesse Watters, a host on Fox News, alleged that the singer of Shake It Off became a psychological operations asset four years ago. The Pentagon responded by stating, “We will not entertain this conspiracy theory and will instead brush it off.”
Despite the criticism towards Swift, not all members of the Republican party agree with the attacks. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley expressed her confusion on the matter in an interview with CNN. She stated that Swift is entitled to have a boyfriend and is a talented artist. Haley even shared that she has attended Taylor Swift concerts with her daughter. She finds it strange that there are conspiracy theories surrounding Swift’s potential political endorsements and believes it is unfortunate that this has become a prominent topic in national politics.
As Swift’s fans wonder if she can travel across nine time zones to attend her boyfriend’s performance at the Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl in Las Vegas after her Eras Tour concert in Tokyo (she can), the level of political discourse surrounding Swift reflects the volatile atmosphere leading up to the upcoming election in 10 months.
Without a doubt, Swift could teach politicians about communicating messages based on values, understanding their audience, and creating authentic connections with supporters or voters. Last week, Trump claimed that he has more popularity than her, despite the fact that the messages he presents based on values often center around portraying himself as a victim rather than promoting self-empowerment.
Last year, a Morning Consult survey revealed that 53% of adults in the United States identify as fans of Swift. The demographic is evenly split between men and women, as well as between Republicans and Democrats. This includes individuals from various generations such as baby boomers, millennials, Gen Xers, and Gen Z young adults. Essentially, this group holds significant influence in determining the success of a national political campaign.
The most recent Republican primary in New Hampshire revealed Trump’s vulnerabilities with female voters, who make up a significant portion of Swift’s fan base. However, recent polling has also indicated that Biden’s approval and backing among young voters has decreased and he is now neck and neck with Trump in the 18-34 age group.
According to Hank Sheinkopf, a consultant for the Democratic party, the younger generation is not enthusiastic about Biden. If they do vote, it may be more to oppose Trump rather than to support Biden. However, if the goal is to appeal to younger voters and address any issues, bringing out Taylor Swift could be a strategic move to show sensitivity towards their interests.
Professor David Allan, who teaches a course on Swift at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, states that the Republican party will have to handle the singer strategically.
“Republicans must handle Taylor cautiously as she has a strong following among women of all demographics and some men. It’s important not to come across as being unkind, as this could potentially rally her supporters,” he explains. On the other hand, criticizing Swift could result in unexpected rewards in terms of cultural and class-based conflicts.
According to Allan, if Fox News is criticizing her, it means that she is making an impact. Taylor Swift’s opposition to Trump gives him something to discuss. The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, serve as a notable example of this, as their career was ruined after lead singer Natalie Maines expressed her shame towards President George Bush at a concert in London before the Iraq war.
In her documentary Miss Americana, Swift’s father expressed concern that openly taking a political stance could lead to the same backlash faced by the Chicks. However, it is now believed that Swift’s success has made her less susceptible to commercial risks.
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According to the music industry newsletter Hits Daily Double, Taylor Swift’s success in various areas is unparalleled. She continues to grow and dominate in everything she does, from rerecording her albums to embarking on a massive tour to releasing a blockbuster movie based on her tour. Even her presence at NFL games has a significant impact.
Whether or not Swift goes two-feet in with Biden, Allan adds: “It’s getting to that point in the 60s that if Bob Dylan or Joni Mitchell didn’t speak out about the Vietnam war it would hurt them with their fans. If she doesn’t do something, even if just to help to get out the vote, it will hurt her authenticity.” In September, Vote.org reported more than 35,000 new political registrations, a 23% jump over last year, after Swift urged her 280 million Instagram followers to sign up.
Swift, who was politically cautious until she endorsed Tennessee Democratic senate candidate Phil Bredesen in 2018 (he lost) and then Biden in 2020, has not shown any interest in being adopted by political factions. A 5,000-word New York Times essay that claimed her as more than just queer-friendly was criticised for making overreaching assumptions.
However, American candidates frequently pursue endorsements from the entertainment industry. According to Sheinkopf, this practice has been around for at least 60 years, with Kennedy enlisting the support of celebrities such as Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Judy Garland, and others. Country music stars have also been known to endorse Republican candidates.
Jimmy Carter has received support from the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd in the form of musical endorsements. In the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton was endorsed by well-known musicians such as Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and Lady Gaga, but this did not result in her victory. Despite this, President Trump has had success using the Village People’s popular song “YMCA” as his walk-off song, much to the delight of his supporters.
According to Sheinkopf, Swift may not have to officially support Biden. Simply spreading the idea could give the impression that Biden is not just an 81-year-old, but someone who is open to the perspectives and preferences of younger individuals and their subculture.
According to Swift, she will have the opportunity to make decisions and become a prominent figure in both American and international spheres. Her public image will hold as much significance as her music, resulting in a significant increase in her financial gains.
Source: theguardian.com
