Following the Presidential Debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Taylor Swift has announced her endorsement for President of the United States. Calling herself a “childless cat lady” in a dig at Trump’s Vice Presidential Pick, J.D. Vance, Swift posted a lengthy message on her Instagram in support of Kamala Harris. You can read it below:
“Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.
“Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.
“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.
“I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it’s much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.
“With love and hope,
Taylor Swift
Childless Cat Lady”
Presidential Endorsements and the 2024 Debate
Swift’s endorsement isn’t exactly surprising; she endorsed Biden in 2020, and has been outspoken about a woman’s right to choose and other liberal issues. Plus, when an AI message of Swift promoting Trump was circulated, she was quick to denounce it. Like her Biden endorsement, this new message from Swift comes late in the campaign, with less than two months to go until Election Day. Her message was posted just minutes after the debate concluded, and was likely carefully written beforehand and placed in the chamber, ready to fire.
The Sep. 10 debate was purportedly the first time that Harris and Trump had met, and began with Harris crossing the stage to shake Trump’s hand when it was clear he was resistant to the idea. It began with a fairly balanced back-and-forth between the candidates, each spending two minutes on their point (or lack thereof). Over time, however, it devolved into The Trump Show, with the former President dominating the speaking time; Trump spoke 11 more times than Harris before the first ad break, and five more instances than her after the second ad break. This may not have been a good strategy, as he tended to ramble incoherently and shoot himself in the foot (or ear, as it were).
The overwhelming public and pundit reaction to this debate was that Trump lost it, the way Biden lost his last debate. Harris didn’t particularly impress but was coherent and specific on several points, and kept things less personal and negative. Very little policy from both, though. Then again, it’s television, politics in two-minute soundbites, so anyone expecting detailed policy hasn’t paid attention to how television has changed politics in the past 50 years. Whatever happens, expect the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer.