Julia Roberts speaks virtually during a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., September 19, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo 

Hollywood Celebrities Campaign for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

Jennifer Garner’s Rally in Arizona

Actress Jennifer Garner issued a lighthearted warning to a group of “Moms for Harris” gathered in a tearoom in Tucson, Arizona, urging them to expect more visits from Hollywood stars before the upcoming election. Garner mentioned that fellow actors Jessica Alba and Kerry Washington would soon be joining the campaign efforts in the battleground state, acknowledging the relentless political messaging present during the election season. Despite the barrage of ads and canvassing, Garner emphasized the importance of voter mobilization, saying, “It really is that important.”

Garner’s visit is part of a broader effort to rally voters in Arizona, one of seven key battleground states that could determine whether Democratic candidate Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump wins the presidency in the November 5 election.

Celebrity Influence in the Final Campaign Push

High-profile celebrity endorsers like Garner are playing a crucial role in the final days leading up to Election Day. Garner, for instance, campaigned not only in Arizona but also in Pennsylvania and Nevada, urging voters to support Harris. Celebrities, when participating in political campaigns, are often encouraged by strategists to visit states where they have personal ties or to speak on issues they are passionate about. In Garner’s case, she connected her personal story to Arizona and highlighted her advocacy work for Save the Children, emphasizing Harris’ support for child tax credits and increased pay for child-care workers.

Other Hollywood stars, such as Julia Roberts and Jane Fonda, have also joined the campaign for Harris, with Roberts visiting her home state of Georgia alongside former state Representative Stacey Abrams. Fonda, a well-known climate activist, took a more hands-on approach by knocking on doors in Michigan to advocate for Harris and other candidates championing climate action.

Celebrities Supporting Donald Trump

Although Hollywood is typically perceived as leaning liberal, some celebrities have come forward in support of Donald Trump. Actor Dennis Quaid, who recently portrayed Ronald Reagan in a film, spoke at a Trump rally in California, urging voters to “pick a side.” Musicians Ted Nugent, Kid Rock, and former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan are also among the entertainment figures who have voiced their support for Trump, with Hogan speaking at this summer’s Republican National Convention.

Do Celebrity Endorsements Influence Voters?

The effectiveness of celebrity endorsements in political campaigns remains a subject of debate. Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California, explains that celebrity appearances can help amplify campaign messages by generating media coverage and social media posts. While a non-celebrity’s efforts may only impact individual voters, a celebrity’s involvement can extend that influence to a much broader audience. However, whether this visibility translates into increased voter turnout depends on the celebrity and the context.

Certain high-profile celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, have made a measurable impact. Winfrey’s 2007 endorsement of Barack Obama was credited with driving 1 million votes during the Democratic primary. Similarly, in 2023, pop superstar Taylor Swift spurred thousands of new voter registrations with a nonpartisan call to register to vote. In September 2024, Swift took a more direct stance by endorsing Kamala Harris via Instagram, garnering over 11 million likes.

The Potential Downside of Celebrity Endorsements

While celebrity endorsements can generate enthusiasm, they do not always have the desired effect. Mark Harvey, author of Celebrity Influence: Politics, Persuasion, and Issue-Based Advocacy, noted that Swift’s endorsement of Harris may not have the intended positive impact. A study conducted in August showed that Swift’s general voting message was effective in motivating undecided voters who were fans of the singer. However, when those same fans were shown a message directly supporting Democrats, their intent to vote actually declined.

Harvey suggested that some people prefer to keep their entertainment separate from their politics, and this may limit the effectiveness of endorsements by celebrities like Swift. Outside the sphere of megastars like Swift and Winfrey, research indicates that celebrity endorsements generally have little to no effect on voter turnout.

The Role of Celebrities in Close Elections

Despite these limitations, celebrity involvement in political campaigns can still be valuable in tight races. Some elections, including the presidential race and key congressional races, could be decided by small margins—sometimes just a few hundred or thousand votes. Grose acknowledged that while celebrity endorsements are not the most critical factor in a campaign, they can help generate enthusiasm and mobilize voters in unexpected ways, particularly in competitive battleground states.

In this highly charged election cycle, with both sides relying on public figures to rally their supporters, the role of Hollywood in politics remains an intriguing dynamic. Whether they are stumping for Harris or Trump, celebrities are helping to shape the narrative and energize voters ahead of the November 5 election.