Can a celebrity endorsement sway your vote? In the 2024 Presidential Election, many key influencers attempted to rally their fans behind their candidate of choice. With the rise of modern-day social media, political campaigns have shifted, turning pop culture icons into powerful influences on the campaign trail. In the 2024 election cycle, celebrities and public figures like Elon Musk, Taylor Swift, Joe Rogan, and Beyoncé took center stage, urging their followers straight to the polls.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk made headlines by backing the Republican Nominee Donald Trump, using his platform X (formerly Twitter) to amplify Trump’s message to undecided voters. In the weeks leading up to the election, Musk made several appearances on the campaign trail, with the most notable being at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 6. In addition, Musk donated over $75 million to the organization America PAC, a political action committee he created in support of the former president.
“Musk’s endorsement felt like a stamp of approval from the tech world. It got everyone talking about how business leaders and entrepreneurs may shape future elections,” said Aaron Williams ‘26.
On the Democratic side, pop star Taylor Swift sparked significant discussion on her Instagram with a post expressing her support for Democratic Nominee Kamala Harris following the second presidential debate on Sep. 10. Swift’s post appeared on 283 million feeds and garnered an incredible 11 million likes. Swift encouraged her fans to go to the polls and vote, highlighting the importance of candidates focused on unity and positive change. Her endorsement energized young voters along with many of her fans and became a major headline across all mainstream media outlets.
While recalling Taylor Swift’s endorsement, Owen Camacho ‘26 stated, “It was surprising to see someone like Taylor Swift get involved so directly. Her endorsement made politics feel more relevant and personal for a lot of younger voters, especially her fans.”
Joe Rogan, UFC commentator and host of the Joe Rogan Experience, the country’s number-one podcast, boosted Trump’s visibility by inviting him on the show. The episode has accumulated nearly 50 million views on YouTube and provided an informal platform for Trump to connect with Rogan’s audience and share his policy through the podcast. Rogan later expressed his support for Donald Trump on the eve of the Presidential Election, sparking widespread discussion about the former president at a pivotal time.
On the other hand, Beyoncé publicly endorsed Kamala Harris at her Houston Rally, sharing her support for Harris and her running mate Tim Walz. Beyoncé shared some words at the rally, advocating for voter participation and encouraging people to get out and vote. Beyoncé’s involvement created a viral moment, magnifying Harris’s campaign message and generating buzz across social media platforms.
Public figures didn’t just support candidates in the 2024 Presidential Election—they became driving forces behind their campaigns. With massive followings and heavy influence, entertainers and celebrities transformed the political landscape, sending millions to the polls. Ultimately, this year’s election displayed the major impact that celebrities will continue to play in shaping our country’s future.
