Celebrity Presidential Endorsements Are Not Important | Opinion

One of the few bipartisan truths in American politics is the public's reaction to celebrity endorsements. For Republicans, such endorsements often reinforce their narrative of liberal elites being out of touch with everyday Americans. Democrats, on the other hand, embrace the star power, even if it rarely translates to meaningful electoral gains.

Consider Bruce Springsteen, who endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 alongside other affluent entertainers. This echoed his 2004 performance for John Kerry on the eve of Kerry's loss to George W. Bush. Despite the high-profile support, Kerry's campaign faltered. POLITICO also highlighted Springsteen's earlier clash with Ronald Reagan's 1984 re-election campaign, where "Born in the USA" became an unintended anthem during a 49-state landslide for Reagan.

Celebrity endorsements have long been polarizing. In 2018, Fox News host Laura Ingraham criticized LeBron James for voicing political opinions, sparking outrage from liberal media but resonating with many voters. While her "shut up and dribble" remark was harsh, the sentiment that celebrities lack the credibility to speak for average Americans rings true for many.

The disconnect is glaring. Multimillionaires like Springsteen ($750 million), LeBron James ($800 million), and Taylor Swift ($1.5 billion) have little in common with Americans grappling with skyrocketing costs under Biden and Harris. Oprah Winfrey, worth $4 billion, faced backlash when Harris' campaign reportedly paid $1 million to her company for an endorsement event. Although Oprah denied personally profiting, the optics only deepened perceptions of elitism.

I attended the 2004 Springsteen concert for Kerry, where the focus on celebrity endorsements seemed to backfire. A Democratic insider later admitted that this emphasis on star power alienated voters and contributed to Kerry’s loss, highlighting a recurring theme in Democratic campaigns.

Data from Vanity Fair and Celebrity Net Worth further underscores this disparity. The wealthiest endorsers in 2024—including actors, musicians, and athletes—all backed Harris. In contrast, Trump’s most prominent celebrity supporters, like Kid Rock and Hulk Hogan, were far less affluent but arguably more relatable.

Meanwhile, endorsements by polarizing figures like Kathy Griffin or Stephen King often distract from voter priorities. Griffin’s infamous photo with a decapitated Trump head and King’s relentless partisan rhetoric alienate more voters than they persuade.

Ultimately, celebrity endorsements fail because they lack relevance to everyday struggles. Unless stars like Oprah or Swift address tangible issues like inflation and rising costs, their opinions will remain irrelevant to most Americans. The $1 million Harris reportedly spent on Oprah's event during her $1.5 billion campaign only underscores this disconnect.

Harris’ failure to secure the popular vote in 2024, a first for a Democrat since John Kerry, is a stark reminder of the ineffectiveness of celebrity-backed campaigns. Voters continue to prioritize policy over spectacle, proving once again that celebrity endorsements are often the "kiss of death" in American politics.