In a significant political move, Vice President Kamala Harris has joined forces with pop icon Taylor Swift to unveil a new advertising campaign aimed at boosting voter engagement in major urban centers. Announced on September 13 by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the campaign focuses on vital cities like New York City and Las Vegas, which are key areas for mobilizing voters ahead of the upcoming elections.
The initiative features catchy slogans inspired by Swift's renowned phrases, including, "We're in our Kamala era!" and "A New Way Forward Ready For It?" A standout element is a towering billboard in Times Square, measuring 22 stories tall, cleverly referencing Swift's hit song "22" along with her successful album "Red." Additionally, another striking billboard in Las Vegas boldly directly addresses former President Donald Trump with the provocative message, "Exhausted with this guy?"
Swift’s influence on the campaign is already making waves; within the first 24 hours of her endorsement, nearly half a million visitors were reported on Vote.gov, marking a substantial increase from the usual daily traffic of around 30,000. Data provided by TargetSmart reveals an estimated 400 to 500 percent rise in voter registrations, which translates to approximately 9,000 to 10,000 new registrations every hour.
Rosemary Boeglin, the DNC’s communications director, highlighted the contrasting approaches of Harris and Trump, asserting that Harris is focused on galvanizing voter turnout as Election Day approaches. This marks another political engagement for Swift, who previously backed Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election.
In reaction to the campaign, Trump indicated that Swift may face backlash for her political involvement, potentially attempting to undermine her artistic contributions. Swift's advocacy, which earned her multiple accolades at the 2024 MTV VMAs, underscores her formidable presence within contemporary political discourse, effectively strengthening the Harris campaign as the election nears.