You may have noticed that the 2024 US presidential campaigns have embraced various modern trends to connect to young voters. From playful TikTok edits to sharp Twitter roasts, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have leveraged distinct strategies to align with pop culture. Yet, one classic strategy that both parties continue to rely on is endorsements and collaborations with public figures.

Celebrity endorsements in American politics go back to 1920 when singer Al Jolson expressed support for Republican candidate Warren Harding. Since then, stars including Frank Sinatra and Oprah Winfrey have used their platforms to share political opinions and encourage people to vote. Although the impact of these types of endorsements might seem minimal in numbers, and often benefit celebrities more than the candidates, they have become a staple of presidential elections.

With this year’s race being highly competitive, both Harris and Trump have drawn the backing of numerous public figures. Let’s look at some of the most notable endorsements.

If gaining the support of The Billboard Hot 100 was a contest, Kamala Harris would win by a landslide. She consistently has had high-profile musicians rallying with her, energizing crowds with tracks like Beyoncé’s ‘Freedom.’ Icons such as Usher, Eminem, and Billie Eilish have spoken in her favor, while others, such as Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo, have performed at her events.

In contrast, Donald Trump has faced more challenges attracting support from the music industry. While he successfully had Kid Rock open the 2024 Republican National Convention, many artists, including Celine Dion, ABBA, Foo Fighters, and Adele, have publicly requested that he stop using their music.

Beyond policy disagreements, Trump struggles to maintain connections with musicians, despite his previous Hollywood ties. He has even alienated some stars who support him. For example, at a recent Las Vegas rally, Trump misgendered reggaeton star Nicky Jam, introducing him as “she” while welcoming him on stage, saying, “Latin music superstar Nicky Jam. Do you know Nicky? She’s hot.”

However, the endorsement with perhaps the most impact has been from Taylor Swift. Following the first Harris–Trump debate in September, Swift announced on Instagram, “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election.” The picture of Swift with her cat cleverly fired back at Republican criticisms of Democrats as “childless cat ladies.”

Her post drove more than 400,000 people to visit Vote.org for voter registration.

While celebrity endorsements may not always shift votes directly, they play a key role in energizing first-time voters. Even Trump seems to understand the impact that famous people like Swift have on young people. After Swift first voiced her opposition to the Republican Party in 2018, Trump responded by saying he liked her “25% less,” a statement that reveals his reluctance to fully oppose the star—or maybe, he’s just a Swiftie like the rest of us…

Endorsements from seasoned political figures have also had quite an impact. For instance, former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have been traveling with Harris on the campaign trail. One of the campaign’s major slogans, “Do something,” was quoted from Michelle’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in August.

The Obamas have even interacted with other famous names to stir enthusiasm. At the campaign’s recent rally in Detroit, to the delight of the crowd, the former president rapped from Eminem’s hit ‘Lose Yourself’ after the artist introduced him on stage.

Some politicians have gone so far as to step over party lines. Noteworthy examples include Republican Dick Cheney, vice president under George W. Bush, and his daughter Liz Cheney endorsing Harris, and former third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. backing Trump.

The 2024 election has generated an unprecedented level of celebrity endorsements; so much so that fans have started to expect their favorite stars to speak out politically. But not everyone is keen to do so.

Rising pop star Chappell Roan recently faced a backlash after refusing to endorse a candidate.

In an interview with The Guardian, she expressed frustration with both parties, saying, “I don’t feel pressured to endorse someone. There are problems on both sides.” Although she clarified in a TikTok video that she wouldn’t be voting for Trump, she faced continued criticism from fans concerned about LGBTQ+ rights.

While celebrity endorsements might not decisively determine election outcomes, they capture cultural tensions and reflect the anxieties that many Americans share about the country’s future. As Election Day approaches, celebrities and voters alike are voicing their hopes and uncertainties, searching for ways to make an impact.