Taylor Swift Backs Kamala Harris for President, Criticizes Misinformation Spread by AI

On Tuesday, Taylor Swift publicly announced her support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. This ends weeks of speculation about whether the globally renowned singer would share her political views ahead of the upcoming election. Swift, who has largely stayed quiet on political matters until recent years, used her Instagram platform to share her perspective following the debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump on ABC News.

“Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight,” Swift wrote. “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.” Her post came shortly after the conclusion of the debate, where Harris faced off against Trump, her main Republican rival.

Swift took the opportunity not only to declare her support for Harris but also to address concerns about misinformation, particularly regarding the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). “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,” she wrote. “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.”

Harris became the Democratic Party’s nominee earlier in August after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race. Shortly after, she named Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Swift acknowledged this in her endorsement, highlighting the qualities that attracted her to Harris and Walz.

“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,” Swift stated in her post. She went on to praise Harris’ choice of Walz as a running mate, pointing out his long-standing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, and in vitro fertilization (IVF). “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.”

As a frequent advocate for her fanbase to engage in civic responsibility, Swift urged her followers to do their own research before making any decisions about voting. She also emphasized the importance of registering to vote. “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,” she wrote, specifically addressing 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.”

In a playful yet pointed conclusion to her post, Swift referred to herself as a “childless cat lady,” humorously alluding to a derogatory comment previously made by JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, who had used the phrase to criticize Democrats.

Swift’s endorsement quickly garnered attention from both political sides. The next morning on Fox News, Trump was asked about Swift’s support for Harris. He responded by labeling the pop star as “a very liberal person,” and predicted that her political stance might affect her popularity. “She will probably pay a price for it in the marketplace,” Trump added.

The Trump campaign also responded with a statement through spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. “More evidence that the Democrat party has become the party of the wealthy elite. President Trump will fight for the American worker, the struggling family who can’t afford groceries and gas, and the angel families who have lost loved ones due to Kamala’s open border policy,” Leavitt remarked. “Taylor Swift may not understand those problems but President Trump does.”

This is not the first time Swift has expressed her political opinions. In the 2020 presidential election, she voiced her support for Biden and Harris, an announcement that marked a shift in her previously apolitical public image. For much of her nearly 20-year career, Swift steered clear of political discussions. That changed during the 2018 midterms when she publicly backed two Democratic candidates from her home state of Tennessee. Since then, Swift has been a vocal supporter of Democratic policies, often encouraging her fans to vote while advocating for causes such as women’s rights, reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ issues.

Swift’s 2020 documentary, “Miss Americana,” shed light on her evolving political stance. In one scene, Swift spoke candidly to her father, Scott Swift, expressing regret for not having been more outspoken on political matters earlier in her career. She stressed the importance of being on “the right side of history,” indicating her growing awareness of the influence she wields as a public figure. The film also showed her criticizing Trump, further signaling her shift toward more active political engagement.

The singer’s influence has extended beyond her personal endorsements. A group of Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, have mobilized around the 2024 election, forming an online community called “Swifties for Kamala” shortly after Biden’s exit from the race. While Swift herself is not directly affiliated with the group, they have garnered thousands of followers on social media platform X and raised over $122,000 during a two-hour kickoff event in August. The virtual event featured prominent speakers such as Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and singer-songwriter Carole King.

“We believe Harris-Walz will fight for our rights and the rights of our loved ones, and help make this country safer for everyone,” said Irene Kim, the communications director of Swifties for Kamala, in a statement to CNN.

Swift’s recent political engagement and endorsement of Kamala Harris for the presidency solidify her position as an influential voice in the political sphere, despite criticisms from some conservatives. As the 2024 election draws nearer, Swift’s role in encouraging voter participation—particularly among her younger fanbase—may have significant implications for the outcome.