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Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
- Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is set to support Kamala Harris, as reported by The Washington Post.
- Experts suggest that celebrity endorsements typically have minimal influence.
- However, in closely contested elections, such endorsements might play a crucial role.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is stepping into the spotlight alongside Kamala Harris’s campaign.
After rumors of an appearance at a DNC event circulated online in August, Beyoncé will finally be joining Harris this Friday in Houston. She will be accompanied by her mother, Tina Knowles, and country music icon Willie Nelson, according to reports from The Washington Post.
Although her song “Freedom” has been featured prominently during Harris’s campaign events, Beyoncé has not yet made an official endorsement of the vice president.
A spokesperson for Beyoncé did not respond immediately to inquiries from Business Insider regarding this matter.
With both Taylor Swift and Beyoncé capturing public attention this election cycle, one must wonder: do celebrity endorsements truly hold weight? Mark Harvey, author of ”Celebrity Influence: Politics, Persuasion, and Issue-Based Advocacy,” states that while it’s uncertain how impactful they are—likely minimal—they can still create buzz around candidates.
The tradition of celebrity endorsements dates back to Al Jolson supporting Warren Harding during the 1920 election. However, Harvey notes that most voters base their decisions on party affiliation and key issues rather than celebrity influence alone.
Cayce Myers from Virginia Tech emphasizes that while these endorsements can generate excitement and visibility for candidates they won’t change opinions about those who are already disliked by voters. He points out that Democrats tend to attract more high-profile celebrities; however Trump’s 2016 victory illustrates how other factors can outweigh such influences.
Potential Impact of Celebrity Endorsements This Election Cycle
This year’s race could present unique scenarios where an endorsement may carry more significance due to historically narrow margins between candidates. If voter turnout hinges on just a few ballots cast or if fundraising efforts need bolstering last-minute celebrity backing could prove vital according to Myers’ analysis.
While comprehensive data remains scarce on this topic Harvey references studies indicating one notable instance where an endorsement had clear effects: Oprah Winfrey’s support for Barack Obama during the 2008 Democratic Primary was pivotal in swaying public opinion towards him at that time.
Loren Kajikawa from George Washington University highlights how music offers insights into political figures’ identities. He observes that although Harris does not overtly emphasize her identity within her campaign messaging aligning with someone like Beyoncé—a prominent black female figure—could enhance perceptions surrounding her historic candidacy unlike Swift’s endorsement which lacked similar resonance with voters’ sentiments toward identity politics.
The strategic approach taken by the Harris campaign includes organizing events featuring celebrities within their local communities; examples include Eminem appearing in Detroit or Julia Roberts participating in Georgia alongside Beyoncé’s involvement planned for Houston as well!
The upcoming rally remains tentative but seems poised for one of those signature surprise moments characteristic of Beyoncé—complete with nods towards collaborations like “Cowboy Carter” with fellow artists!
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