TLDR:
Harris bets on Hollywood endorsements
Criticism over celebrity influence intensifies
Stein gains ground amid disillusionment
LOS ANGELES (The Thursday Times) — With Election Day just around the corner, Kamala Harris has doubled down on her reliance on Hollywood elites to buoy her campaign, enlisting a veritable who’s who of the entertainment world in a bid to sway voters. Her strategy, which includes high-profile appearances and endorsements from megastars like Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Bruce Springsteen, is designed to galvanise younger and more progressive voters. Yet, as the vice president’s campaign courts glitz and glamour, a critical question looms: will this reliance on celebrity power be enough to counter growing discontent, or will it backfire among an electorate grappling with inflation, economic hardship, and a sense of political disconnect?
In a striking show of star-studded support, Harris has spent the final weeks of her campaign surrounded by figures whose wealth and influence tower over those of ordinary Americans. The line-up of celebrity endorsers reads like a red carpet roll call: Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jennifer Lopez, to name just a few. Their presence is part of a calculated effort to energise Democratic strongholds in swing states and draw attention to Harris’s promises of economic and social reform. However, this spectacle has also reignited criticism that Harris, like Hillary Clinton before her, is too closely aligned with Hollywood’s elite, a dynamic that could alienate working-class voters.
A calculated gamble with star power
The strategic use of celebrity endorsements in U.S. politics is not new. From Ronald Reagan’s embrace of Frank Sinatra to Barack Obama’s highly visible connections with Oprah Winfrey and Jay-Z, politicians have long turned to entertainment figures to boost their appeal. For Harris, the stakes are particularly high. With Donald Trump gaining ground in key battleground states, the vice president’s team has leaned into the celebrity factor as a way to counter Trump’s populist messaging and drive turnout among younger and more diverse demographics. The campaign has pulled out all the stops, featuring Beyonce in Houston, where the singer delivered a brief but impactful speech, and Lizzo in Detroit, who used her platform to highlight issues of racial and economic justice.
Yet, the optics of this approach are complicated. Critics argue that the presence of billionaires like Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Springsteen, whose combined net worth runs into the billions, underscores a disconnect between Harris and the average American. With inflation hitting households hard and economic anxiety rampant, some voters see the Hollywood blitz as tone-deaf. Political analyst David Axelrod has noted that the strategy “risks reinforcing a sense of elitism,” a charge that has dogged Democratic campaigns in the past. The association with Hollywood has also revived memories of Clinton’s ill-fated 2016 run, where the former secretary of state was criticised for surrounding herself with out-of-touch celebrities while failing to connect with working-class voters in the Rust Belt.
The economic backdrop and voter concerns
This election cycle has been defined by economic distress. Rising costs for groceries, fuel, and housing have put immense pressure on American families, with many voters citing the economy as their top concern. Against this backdrop, the Harris campaign’s celebrity-laden events have provided a striking contrast. While stars like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez have drawn massive crowds, the substance of Harris’s economic platform has struggled to break through. Critics argue that the focus on star power has overshadowed key policy discussions, such as plans to address wage stagnation, healthcare reform, and job creation.
At the same time, Jill Stein’s Green Party candidacy has gained unexpected traction, particularly among young and progressive voters who feel disillusioned with both major parties. Stein’s campaign, which has centred on a strong anti-war message and environmental advocacy, has resonated with voters frustrated by the Biden administration’s handling of foreign conflicts, especially the ongoing violence in Gaza. In Michigan, where Harris is fighting to retain support from Arab and Muslim American communities, Stein has made significant inroads. Her willingness to confront both Democrats and Republicans on foreign policy and climate change has won her admiration, even among voters who recognise that the Green Party has little chance of winning the presidency.
The cultural and political divide
The Harris campaign’s reliance on celebrity endorsements has also highlighted a cultural divide in American politics. Supporters argue that celebrities help to reach voters who might otherwise disengage from the political process, bringing issues like climate change, reproductive rights, and racial justice into the spotlight. Events featuring John Legend, Samuel L. Jackson, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus have sought to inspire and energise younger voters, using entertainment as a vehicle for political engagement. The campaign has also benefited from stars who are active on social media, where they amplify Harris’s message to millions of followers.
However, detractors say this approach ignores the very real frustrations of an electorate that feels abandoned by political elites. The populist rhetoric employed by Trump, which paints Democrats as out-of-touch globalists more concerned with celebrity culture than with the working class, has found fertile ground among economically distressed voters. Even some Democrats have expressed concern that Harris’s embrace of Hollywood could play into Trump’s narrative. Political scientist Larry Sabato warns that “while celebrity endorsements can energise the base, they can also alienate voters who are struggling economically and feel that their voices are not being heard.”
Trump’s populist counter-narrative
Donald Trump has wasted no time capitalising on this perception. His rallies, which have focused on themes of economic grievance and border security, offer a stark contrast to Harris’s celebrity-fuelled campaign events. Trump’s messaging has painted the election as a battle between “the people” and the “Hollywood elite,” a narrative that resonates with his base and could sway undecided voters. While Harris emphasises unity and progress, Trump has doubled down on his promises to restore economic stability and bring jobs back to American soil. His campaign has also launched targeted ads in Rust Belt states, criticising Harris for prioritising celebrity endorsements over substantive policy solutions.
The question of whether Harris’s strategy will succeed remains an open one. Polls show a tight race, with Stein’s rise adding a layer of unpredictability. The Democratic National Committee has ramped up efforts to dissuade voters from supporting third-party candidates, warning that a vote for Stein could hand the election to Trump. Yet, for many disillusioned voters, Stein represents a rare voice of authenticity in a political landscape dominated by spectacle and partisanship. The Green Party candidate’s anti-establishment appeal, coupled with her focus on grassroots organising, has made her a formidable force in states where Democrats can ill afford to lose support.
The stakes in swing states
Nowhere is the impact of these dynamics felt more acutely than in swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In these battlegrounds, voter turnout and enthusiasm will be crucial. The Harris campaign has poured resources into get-out-the-vote efforts, deploying celebrities to campaign alongside community organisers in key districts. Yet, as Election Day approaches, the effectiveness of this strategy remains in question. For voters grappling with economic and social uncertainty, the allure of celebrity endorsements may not be enough to sway their decision. The stakes are enormous, with the outcome of the election poised to shape the future of American politics for years to come.