Celebrity endorsements in US elections have become a significant aspect of political campaigns, influencing public perception and voter engagement. These endorsements can amplify a candidate’s visibility, particularly among younger and more culturally engaged demographics, though their effectiveness in swaying voter decisions remains a topic of debate.
As the US elections approach, celebrity endorsements have become a hot topic of discussion.However, this phenomenon has been a part of election history for over a century.
Here are some of the celebrity endorsements in Us election history:
Celebrity moments at 2024 National Conventions
Recent Democratic and Republican national conventions saw significant moments driven by celebrities. Rapper Lil Jon supported Democrats with a Kamala Harris-themed performance, while Hulk Hogan supported Trump by tearing off his shirt to showcase a Trump-Vance T-shirt at the Republican convention.
Origins of celebrity endorsements: 1920
Celebrity presidential endorsements began in 1920 with silent film stars like Al Jolson and Mary Pickford endorsing Republican candidate Warren G. Harding. The concept was pioneered by Chicago ad agency Lord & Thomas, leading to a celebrity visit to Harding’s house in Ohio, where they performed a song in his honor.
Babe Ruth endorsement switch: Republicans to Democrats and back
Baseball legend Babe Ruth was offered $4,000 to endorse Harding in 1920 but backed off after the Black Sox scandal. Later, he endorsed Democrat Al Smith in 1928, but switched to supporting Republican Thomas Dewey in 1944, reflecting a shifting allegiance in his political endorsements.
Sinatra’s party switches: From Democrats to Republicans
Frank Sinatra endorsed Democratic candidates like Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy but switched to supporting Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. His switch was based on his perception of the need for change during Jimmy Carter’s presidency.
Jackie Robinson’s endorsement switch from Republican to Democrat
Jackie Robinson, initially a Republican supporter who endorsed Richard Nixon in 1960, switched to supporting Democrats by 1968 due to Nixon’s “Southern Strategy.” This shift mirrored the broader move of African Americans to the Democratic Party in the 1960s.
Muhammad Ali switch: Long term Democrat to endorsing Republican
Muhammad Ali, a longtime Democrat, surprised many by endorsing Ronald Reagan in 1984 after initially supporting Jesse Jackson’s Democratic bid. Ali’s endorsement of Reagan was based on Reagan’s stance on religious issues in schools.
Trump’s pre-presidential Democrat to Republican endorsements
Before his own presidential run, Donald Trump endorsed both Hillary Clinton and John McCain in the 2008 election. He initially supported Clinton’s Democratic nomination before flipping to endorse McCain in the general election.
Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement to Democrats through the years
Oprah Winfrey’s 2008 endorsement of Barack Obama, her first-ever political endorsement, had a significant impact, potentially adding 1 million votes to Obama’s Democratic primary count. Winfrey has continued to endorse Democratic candidates in subsequent elections. She endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and then for the current 2024 elections she has endorsed Harris. Winfrey was s speaker at the Democratic National Convention
Taylor Swift’s endorsements to Democrats
Taylor Swift, once politically silent, began endorsing Democratic candidates in 2018 and fully engaged in the 2020 presidential race by endorsing Joe Biden and criticizing Donald Trump.
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Publish date : 2024-09-01 19:51:00
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