Kamala Harris’s failed presidential campaign marks not only the end of her candidacy but perhaps the end of the Hollywood celebrity endorsement’s political relevance. In an effort to capture hearts and minds, Harris leaned on Hollywood’s A-listers rather than on policies, resulting in a campaign that felt more like a series of concerts than a presidential bid.
Harris’s strategy called to mind Hillary Clinton’s 2016 “Fight Song” campaign, which leaned heavily on star power. But when voters face economic strain and say they’re concerned with the direction of the country, being serenaded by celebrities in multimillion-dollar mansions seemed to fall flat. On the eve of Election Day, Oprah introduced Harris at a Philadelphia rally with performances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, while other cities saw appearances by Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, and Bruce Springsteen. Stars like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez offered vocal support, while SNL’s Molly Shannon appeared in a campaign video — but Harris’s speeches were brief, leaving the heavy lifting to the A-listers.
Though star power once held sway, it appears voters have grown wary. Celebrities rallied for Harris, but the campaign felt like a throwback, recalling the days of Julia Roberts and George Clooney campaigning for Barack Obama. Today’s digital age, however, has democratized influence, shifting the power of endorsement to podcasts, live streams, and personalities who connect with everyday people in a more grounded way.
The cultural landscape has changed post-COVID. Figures like Joe Rogan, Theo Von, and UFC president Dana White, who spoke at Trump’s victory party, have become influential voices for many Americans. At Trump’s celebration, White credited streamers and podcasters for engaging voters directly. While Trump’s supporters, like Hulk Hogan or Lee Greenwood, may hail from different walks of life, they resonate more with the working-class crowd than Hollywood’s elites.
Meanwhile, Team Trump has adapted to this shift, cultivating a platform that’s both grounded in everyday American life and focused on tangible issues. In contrast, Harris’s celebrity-filled campaign appears to have been out of step with what voters actually wanted.
For Harris, fall 2024 will likely be remembered as a campaign filled with star-studded rallies but little real connection to the voters’ concerns. In the end, her star-powered strategy may go down as a case study in the limits of celebrity influence in today’s political landscape.
