President Joe Biden is currently experiencing historically low disapproval ratings and is actively searching for ways to revitalize his campaign by attracting new, youthful energy. Meanwhile, his probable opponent in the upcoming election, former President Donald Trump, continues to gain momentum in the Republican primaries.
In order to infuse his re-election bid with a “fresh vibe,” Biden’s team is exploring potential endorsements from influential figures, including celebrities. One notable name that has emerged is Taylor Swift, a renowned star who holds the distinction of being the first artist to achieve a tour gross exceeding $1 billion, with an impressive 4.35 million tickets sold across 60 tour dates in 2023.
Biden and his team are particularly concerned about connecting with voting blocs that are currently shifting away from the president, such as young, black, and Latino voters. While Biden secured the support of young voters by a margin of 20 percentage points in 2020, he now finds himself in a tie with Trump among this demographic. This can be attributed, in part, to concerns regarding Biden’s age, his stance on Israel, and the state of the economy. Democratic allies and lawmakers are apprehensive about Biden’s ability to win over these voters and secure a second term.
“To reach young voters, Biden’s campaign has focused heavily on social media, using videos from influencers and even those with a niche following to promote its message. The president recently visited the home of a man who had his federal loans canceled through Biden’s program, a focal point of Biden’s reelection campaign. The man’s son posted a video of Biden’s visit on TikTok, drawing millions of views,” the Washington Examiner reported.
“The campaign is discussing opportunities for celebrities to promote the president on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, according to the New York Times. There are plans to hold a fundraiser with two former Democratic presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, sources told NBC News. However, the end game is to receive an endorsement from Swift, who has become influential both on and off the stage on social media. Her recent appearances at NFL games have grown her fan base dramatically as well,” the outlet added.
NEW – Biden is hoping for an endorsement from Taylor Swift. That is his "anti-Trump" battle plan. pic.twitter.com/JabhVwLpNJ
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) January 29, 2024
In 2020, Taylor Swift expressed her endorsement for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, demonstrating her support. As a result of her single post on Instagram, a remarkable 35,000 new voter registrations were recorded.
Swift’s dedicated efforts to raise funds for Biden’s campaign hold the potential to channel millions of dollars into the cause. Furthermore, there have been discussions regarding the possibility of inviting Biden to one of Swift’s Eras Tour shows, which is scheduled to continue its second leg on February 7th in Tokyo, Japan.
Recognizing the advantages of having Swift rally behind the Democratic cause, other prominent figures such as Governor Gavin Newsom of California have encouraged her to further engage with Biden’s campaign following her influential get-out-the-vote post on Instagram.
“Taylor Swift stands tall and unique,” the California governor said. “What she was able to accomplish just in getting young people activated to consider that they have a voice and that they should have a choice in the next election, I think, is profoundly powerful.”
Vice President Kamala Harris is currently embarking on a nationwide tour to actively involve young voters, rather than depending solely on celebrity endorsements. During a recent interview, she expressed her admiration for Generation Z, referring to them as an exceptional generation.
“It’s a lived experience for them,” Harris said. “They’ve only known the climate crisis. Most of them have endured active shooter drills between kindergarten and 12th grade. During the height of their reproductive years, they saw the court take away an essential right for them. And so traveling the country makes a difference to one, listen, but to remind people that they are being seen and that what they do matters, including that they vote.”