Taylor Swift endorses Harris

Taylor Swift is endorsing Kamala Harris’s presidential run, saying she’s backing the vice chairman as a result of “she fights for the rights and causes I consider want a warrior to champion them.”

The singing celebrity — who referred to as herself a “childless cat woman” in a reference to previous remarks from GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) — issued a surprise endorsement of Harris instantly following the primary presidential debate between the vice chairman and former President Trump.

“I believe she is a steady-handed, gifted chief and I consider we are able to accomplish a lot extra on this nation if we’re led by calm and never chaos,” Swift wrote to her greater than 280 million Instagram followers. 

The “Shake it Off” singer stated she watched the controversy between the 2 White Home hopefuls, and inspired her followers to do “analysis on the problems at hand and the stances these candidates tackle the matters that matter to you probably the most.”

Swift, 34, stated she was propelled to make her presidential decide identified after Trump shared a number of faux, synthetic intelligence (AI)-generated photographs displaying her assist for his marketing campaign final month on his Reality Social platform. 

The posts, Swift stated, “actually conjured up my fears round AI, and the hazards of spreading misinformation. It introduced me to the conclusion that I must be very clear about my precise plans for this election as a voter.”

“The best technique to fight misinformation is with the reality,” Swift stated. 

“I can be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz within the 2024 Presidential Election,” she instructed her followers in her social media message. 

“I’ve accomplished my analysis, and I’ve made my selection,” Swift wrote. “Your analysis is all yours to do, and the selection is yours to make. I additionally need to say, particularly to first time voters: Do not forget that with a view to vote, it’s a must to be registered!”

Assist from Swift — who boasts a fully huge following, significantly amongst younger followers and potential voters — is taken into account a coveted political endorsement. Earlier than exiting the White Home race in July, President Biden’s marketing campaign was actively looking for Swift’s endorsement. 

In 2020, Swift backed Biden simply weeks forward of Election Day, saying she would “proudly vote” for the previous vice chairman and then-Sen. Harris.

The entertainer broke a careerlong near-virtual silence about politics in 2018 to voice her assist for 2 Democrats competing in a Tennessee Home and Senate race. She’s been crucial of Trump up to now, accusing him in 2019 of “gaslighting the American public.” 

Earlier this 12 months, Trump called Swift “very stunning,” and questioned whether or not she was “legitimately liberal” or if it was “simply an act.” Trump additionally mentioned the “Delicate” songstress throughout a closed door assembly with Home Republicans in June, saying he was “shocked” she didn’t endorse him.  

Swift has championed voter registration efforts over time. In 2023, greater than 35,000 individuals reportedly registered to vote on Vote.org after the Grammy Award winner posted a message encouraging her followers to take part in Nationwide Voter Registration Day.

—Up to date at 11:38 p.m.