Taylor Swift has made it official: she has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming 2024 election.
Following the recent presidential debate, the Grammy-winning artist took to Instagram to express her support for Harris, putting an end to months of speculation regarding her political stance.
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From Political Silence to Advocacy
Looking back, Swift once mentioned in a 2009 Rolling Stone interview how thrilled she felt about President Obama’s election. Fast forward to 2012, and she stated, “I don’t talk about politics because it might influence other people,” highlighting her earlier hesitation to dive into political discussions.
A Shift in 2018
The political climate shifted for Swift in 2018 when she publicly endorsed Democratic candidates Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper during the midterms in Tennessee. This marked a significant moment in her political journey.
Her 2019 album Lover featured politically themed tracks like “The Man” and “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince,” showcasing her evolving views.
Bold Moves in 2020
Swift’s documentary, Miss Americana, released in 2020, candidly shared her political perspectives. It was during this time that she endorsed Joe Biden and Harris, famously remarking on her desire to be “on the right side of history.”
Her criticisms of then-President Trump were also sharp, as she accused him of perpetuating racism and white supremacy.
Championing Women’s and LGBTQ+ Rights
In response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Swift shared her fears about the implications for women’s rights on X (formerly Twitter). She expressed her support for Kamala Harris, praising her for standing up for women’s autonomy and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
Swift’s LGBTQ+ activism has been evident in her music, particularly in the video for “You Need To Calm Down,” which featured various prominent LGBTQ+ personalities. Additionally, Swift has lobbied for the Equality Act and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
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2024: Combating Misinformation
Recently, Trump shared a doctored image of Swift endorsing him. In response to this, Swift highlighted the dangers of misinformation, asserting her need to clarify her actual voting intentions this election.
Despite facing backlash over her friendship with Brittany Mahomes, a Trump supporter, Swift’s endorsement has garnered significant traction, amassing nearly 8 million likes on Instagram as of now.
In her post, she closed with “With love and hope,” humorously referencing herself as a “Childless Cat Lady,” a nod to comments made by Trump’s running mate, JD Vance.