Taylor Swift gave an endorsement to Kamala Harris only minutes after the presidential debate, marking a pivotal moment in the race.
The pop icon made the announcement on Instagram following the ABC debate where Trump made controversial statements about migrants and accused Democrats of wanting to “execute babies” in the ninth month of pregnancy.
Fans and political observers had been waiting for Swift’s input on the election, as she had supported Joe Biden in 2020.
She took the opportunity during the first Trump-Harris debate to voice her support for Harris and criticized Trump for “falsely” using AI-generated images to claim her backing.
With less than eight weeks until election day, Swift’s endorsement may have significant effects on the race – with a following of 283 million on Instagram.
The night was seen as a win for Harris, with many declaring her the victor after the heated debate.
The Trump campaign dismissed Swift’s endorsement, claiming it was further evidence that she’s part of the “Democratic elite.”
In her post, Swift poked fun at Republicans, sharing a picture of her cat—a playful jab at Republican VP nominee J.D. Vance, who once mocked “childless cat ladies.” This led to groups of “cat ladies for Harris” emerging among her supporters.
In her post, Swift expressed concern over false AI reports claiming she endorsed Trump. She stated, “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” signing off as “childless cat lady.”
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Trump’s team responded with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt sharing that while Swift might make “great music,” she doesn’t understand the struggles of “everyday, hardworking families,” claiming that Trump represents those families.
Swift’s political endorsements are not new—she supported Joe Biden in 2020 and expressed support for Hillary Clinton over Trump in 2016, accusing him of treating the presidency like ‘an autocracy’.
Her endorsement post was thorough, urging fans to research the candidates and debunking misinformation about her supporting Trump. Swift explained, “The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth,” and outlined her reasons for backing Harris, including her leadership and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights.
Swift reminded her followers to register and vote early, and ended her post with a heartfelt message: “With love and hope, Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.” She also shared a photo of her calico cat, Benjamin Button.
Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, reacted to Swift’s endorsement during a live MSNBC interview, expressing gratitude and even relating as a fellow cat owner. He encouraged Swift’s fans to get involved with Harris’ campaign.
After the debate, Harris stopped by a watch party, and her exit song was Swift’s hit “The Man.” Swift’s post garnered over 2.8 million likes in under an hour, and with her huge following, her influence on young voters could be considerable.
Swift, who is dating NFL star Travis Kelce, has recently been in the spotlight due to her friendship with Brittany Mahomes, wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Although Brittany has liked some pro-Trump posts, the two women appeared at the U.S. Open together, putting political differences aside.
Trump acknowledged Brittany Mahomes’ support on his Truth Social platform, and despite Swift facing some backlash for her close friendship with Mahomes, her endorsement of Harris remains a defining moment in the race.
