The US presidential election is one of the most contentious and polarized in history.
The election also saw the unprecedented role and influence of social media influencers, who used their platforms and followers to endorse, campaign, and mobilize for their preferred candidates. The question arises: do influencers have more sway than celebrities for the US elections?
Advantages and disadvantages of influencers and celebrities for the US elections
Influencers and celebrities have different advantages and disadvantages for the US elections, depending on their reach, credibility, and relevance, such as:
- Advantages of influencers: Influencers have a large and loyal following, who trust and relate to their opinions and recommendations. Influencers also have a direct and interactive communication with their followers, who can engage and respond to their messages and calls to action. Influencers also have a niche and specific audience, who share their interests and values, and who can be targeted and mobilized more effectively.
- Disadvantages of influencers: Influencers have a limited and homogeneous audience, who may not represent the diversity and complexity of the electorate. Influencers also have a variable and questionable credibility, as they may lack the expertise and authority on political and social issues, and as they may face conflicts of interest or ethical dilemmas. Influencers also have a volatile and unpredictable influence, as they may lose or gain followers, or change or retract their endorsements, depending on the trends and sentiments of the social media landscape.
- Advantages of celebrities: Celebrities have a massive and diverse audience, who recognize and admire their fame and status. Celebrities also have a high and established credibility, as they have the experience and reputation on political and social issues, and as they have the resources and connections to support their causes and candidates. Celebrities also have a lasting and consistent influence, as they have a long-term and stable relationship with their fans, and as they have a clear and coherent political stance and identity.
- Disadvantages of celebrities: Celebrities have a distant and detached communication with their fans, who may not feel a personal and emotional connection with their messages and appeals. Celebrities also have a low and declining relevance, as they may not reflect the current and emerging needs and preferences of the electorate, and as they may face competition and criticism from other celebrities or influencers. Celebrities also have a counterproductive and backlash effect, as they may alienate or antagonize potential voters, who may resent or reject their influence or interference in the political process.
Examples and evidence of the impact of influencers
The impact of influencers and celebrities for the US elections can be seen and measured by various examples and evidences, such as:
Some of the most influential and active influencers for the US elections were:
- Charli D’Amelio, the most followed person on TikTok, who endorsed and campaigned for Kamala Harris, and who encouraged her 120 million followers to register and vote.
- David Dobrik, the popular YouTube star, who gave away five Tesla cars to randomly selected voters who used his voter registration app, and who generated more than 100,000 new voter registrations.
- Joe Rogan, the host of the widely listened podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, who endorsed and interviewed Donald Trump, and who reached more than 200 million listeners per month.
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Some of the most influential and active celebrities for the US elections were:
- Taylor Swift, the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, who endorsed and campaigned for Kamala Harris, and who used her social media platforms and music videos to promote and support various political and social causes, such as LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and climate change.
- LeBron James, the NBA superstar and activist, who founded and led the More Than a Vote initiative, which aimed to combat voter suppression and increase voter turnout among Black Americans, and which recruited more than 50,000 poll workers and registered more than 300,000 voters.
- Clint Eastwood, the legendary actor and director, who endorsed and donated to Donald Trump, and who used his films and speeches to express and advocate his conservative and libertarian views.
The impact of influencers and celebrities for the US elections can be assessed and quantified by various indicators and metrics, such as:
- Voter registration and turnout: According to the US Election Project, the 2024 US presidential election had the highest voter registration and turnout rates in history, with more than 160 million Americans, or 67% of the eligible voters, casting their ballots. The increase in voter registration and turnout was attributed to the efforts and campaigns of influencers and celebrities, who used their platforms and followers to motivate and mobilize the voters, especially the young and minority voters, who traditionally have low participation rates.
- Public opinion and perception: According to the Pew Research Center, the 2024 US presidential election had the highest public interest and attention in history, with more than 80% of Americans, or 260 million people, saying they followed the news and developments of the election very or fairly closely. The increase in public interest and attention was influenced by the opinions and endorsements of influencers and celebrities, who used their authority and credibility to shape and sway the public opinion and perception of the candidates and the issues.
- Election outcome and result: According to the official results, the 2024 US presidential election had the closest and most contested outcome and result in history, with Kamala Harris winning the popular vote by more than 7 million votes, or 51.5% of the total votes, and Donald Trump winning the electoral college by 270 to 268 votes, or 50.1% of the total votes. The outcome and result of the election were affected by the impact and influence of influencers and celebrities, who used their reach and relevance to attract and persuade the voters, especially the independent and undecided voters, who made the difference in the key battleground states.
The 2024 US presidential election was a historic and unprecedented event that highlighted the role and influence of social media influencers, who used their platforms and followers to endorse, campaign, and mobilize for their preferred candidates. The question arises: do influencers have more sway than celebrities for the US elections?
The answer is not clear-cut, as influencers and celebrities have different advantages and disadvantages, depending on their reach, credibility, and relevance, and as their impact and influence can vary and fluctuate, depending on the context and circumstances. However, what is clear is that influencers and celebrities have become an integral and influential part of the US political landscape, and that their power and potential cannot be ignored or underestimated.
