Taylor Swift, a self-proclaimed 'childless cat lady' and one of the world's most popular and influential stars, has publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president of the United States. Swift broke her silence on Tuesday, expressing her support for Harris over Donald Trump and describing the Democratic candidate as a 'steady-handed, gifted leader.' 'I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,' she wrote on Instagram. The post was made shortly after the televised presidential debate, which Swift said she watched.
'I'm voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them,' Swift stated. 'I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.' She signed off her Instagram post by referring to herself as a 'childless cat lady,' a reference to a sentiment mocked by Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, which he had used to insult Democratic women. On Wednesday, Trump criticized Swift's endorsement during an appearance on Fox News, stating, 'I was not a Taylor Swift fan... she's a very liberal person. She seems to always endorse a Democrat, and she'll probably pay a price for it in the marketplace.'
Until Tuesday, Swift had been notably quiet about the 2024 race, despite her fans organizing under the banner 'Swifties for Kamala.' However, the 34-year-old singer said that discovering AI-generated images of her falsely endorsing Trump—which 'conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation,' she said—inspired her to speak out. 'It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,' she explained. 'The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.' Swift encouraged her fans to 'do your research.'
Swift, who recently concluded the European leg of her 'Eras' tour, avoided explicitly telling her supporters to vote for Harris, instead stating, 'I've done my research, and I've made my choice.' 'Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make.' She also shared the post to her Instagram 'stories' with a voter registration link. The artist expressed special support for Harris's running mate Walz, praising the Minnesota governor for 'standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman's right to her own body for decades.'
Team Harris has eagerly embraced any support from the pop world, which generally leans left, and several stars have publicly backed her. Beyonce has not explicitly endorsed the Democrat but allowed the Harris camp to use her song 'Freedom' in advertisements and on the campaign trail. British artist Charli XCX saw her album 'brat' become integral to the early Harris campaign as the Democrats strive to stay relevant on social media. As a global celebrity with hundreds of millions of loyal fans, Swift's influence is immense, and her approval is highly sought after. For years, the 'Blank Space' singer remained neutral in politics, including during Trump's 2016 victory. Speculation suggested she was a closet Republican until 2018, when she endorsed the Democratic opponent of far-right politician Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee. Although Blackburn won, it marked a new chapter for Swift.
She later revealed that handlers had advised her against voicing political opinions, warning that it could harm her career—especially in the country music industry, which often aligns with conservatism. Since then, Swift has endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and has promoted pro-LGBTQ messages through her songs and music videos. She also condemned the Supreme Court's reversal of the federal right to abortion and encouraged her fans to register to vote. Her decision to speak out on her own terms quickly dominated the news cycle on Tuesday night, and her post garnered over two million 'likes' within 30 minutes. 'With love and hope, Taylor Swift,' she concluded her message.
