In a significant political maneuver, Vice President Kamala Harris has launched a new advertising campaign ahead of the upcoming elections, bolstered by the endorsement of pop superstar Taylor Swift. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced these initiatives on September 13, targeting high-visibility locations in major cities, including New York City and Las Vegas.
The campaign features slogans designed to resonate with Swift's extensive audience, such as "We're in our Kamala era!" and "A New Way Forward Ready For It?" A striking component is a massive billboard in Times Square, towering 22 stories high, which cleverly nods to Swift's hit song "22" and her celebrated album "Red." In addition, a provocative billboard in Las Vegas directly challenges former President Donald Trump with the message, "Exhausted with this guy?"
Swift's advocacy appears to have made a notable impact on voter engagement. Following her endorsement, approximately half a million visitors accessed Vote.gov within 24 hours—a dramatic increase from the usual daily figure of about 30,000. Data from TargetSmart indicates that voter registrations surged by 400 to 500 percent, equating to 9,000 to 10,000 new registrations each hour.
Rosemary Boeglin, the communications director for the DNC, emphasized the diverging political strategies of Harris and Trump, highlighting Harris’s commitment to invigorating voter participation as Election Day approaches. This is not Swift's first foray into political endorsements; her previous support for Joe Biden during the 2020 election further demonstrates her active involvement in political advocacy.
In response to Swift's endorsement, Trump has suggested that she may encounter backlash for her political views and has expressed a dismissive attitude towards her artistic contributions. Swift's activism aligns her with a number of artists who share similar political ideologies, thereby strengthening the Harris campaign as the election nears. Moreover, Swift's recent accolades at the 2024 MTV VMAs, where she secured multiple awards, reinforce her significance within contemporary political conversations.