Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, has officially launched a series of advertisements inspired by Taylor Swift following the singer's endorsement of her campaign earlier this week. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced these initiatives on September 13, focusing on high-visibility locations such as New York City and Las Vegas.
The billboards feature catchy slogans including "We're in our Kamala era!" and "A New Way Forward Ready For It?" to resonate with Swift's significant fanbase and capitalizing on her cultural influence. Notably, one of the advertisements stands prominently in Times Square, a towering 22 stories high, referencing Swift’s popular song "22" and her acclaimed album "Red." Another advertisement stationed in Las Vegas includes a pointed question directed at former President Donald Trump, asking, "Exhausted with this guy?"
Reports indicate that Swift's endorsement has notably boosted voter registration. Within 24 hours of her announcement, nearly half a million people visited Vote.gov, a stark rise from the typical average of 30,000 daily visitors. Data firm TargetSmart reported an estimated 400 to 500 percent surge in registrations, reaching between 9,000 to 10,000 new registrations per hour.
Rosemary Boeglin, DNC's communications director, highlighted the differing political strategies of Harris compared to Trump, stressing the need for enhanced voter engagement ahead of the upcoming election. Swift, known for her endorsement of Joe Biden during the 2020 election, framed her support for Harris as a call for steady leadership amid current political turmoil.
Trump reacted to Swift’s endorsement, suggesting she may face backlash for her views while maintaining a dismissive attitude towards her artistry. Swift's political activism aligns her with other artists sharing similar ideals, thereby strengthening Harris’s campaign as Election Day approaches. At the recent 2024 MTV VMAs, Swift affirmed her cultural icon status by winning multiple awards, further solidifying her role as a significant influencer.