top of page
Writer's pictureShe's SINGLE Magazine
2 days ago4 min read

Did Kamala Harris's 'Celebrity Campaign' Impact Her Election Bid?

by Riley Cook

 

In what some believe to be a shocking turn of events, Donald J. Trump secured his win as the 47th president of the United States last night, on November 5, 2024. Users across social media appear to be outraged; however, it’s evident that many are either remaining quiet or joining the public outcry in an effort to blend in and confuse those around them.

Kamala Harris Presidential elect 2025

Image Credit: Ethan Miller | Getty Images



A few days ago, we shared a video via our YouTube channel of a man attending both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump rallies, documenting his experience at each. To his surprise, and that of his followers, the Trump rally attendees were welcoming, lighthearted, and kind towards him—even while he wore opposing rally merch. This meant that at the Trump rally, he wore Kamala merch, and at the Harris rally, he wore Trump merch.

Upon arriving at the Harris campaign rally, he was immediately met with disdain: people stared at him, called him names, and refused to interact with him. This highlighted that, despite hopes for a peaceful election, openly voicing one’s preference could lead to unwanted backlash, aggression, and compromised safety for Trump supporters.


While many people are shocked by the results, it is evident that, if they could safely voice their preference aloud, they likely would have. Many users are now realizing that they were misled by friends and family about which political party they were voting for. For example, one user stated, “My brother lied—he said he was voting for Kamala but actually voted for Trump.” With the poll numbers in, this may have been the case in many households and friend groups.


48 LAWS OF POWER – LAW NO. 38, THINK AS YOU LIKE BUT BEHAVE LIKE OTHERS: 

This suggests that while originality in thought can lead to innovation and insight, aligning outward actions with social norms or expectations allows individuals to avoid unnecessary conflict and scrutiny. In The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, many of the laws focus on understanding the environment and aligning one’s external behaviors with it.


By “thinking differently,” an individual can generate new ideas and stay ahead, but “acting the same” allows them to blend in, build alliances, and minimize resistance from those who might feel threatened by unconventional behavior and thinking. This principle of power was evident in last night’s election; even with celebrities endorsing Kamala Harris—many of whom hold significant influence in the African American community—the public was not swayed to vote blue.

Beyoncé looks on during a campaign rally with Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris

Image Credit: Justin Sullivan | Getty Images



Endorsements from Beyoncé, Cardi B, Kelly Rowland, Sexyy Red, GloRilla, Taylor Swift, Megan Thee Stallion, and others did not secure this win for Harris. But the question arises: why were so many celebrities asked to perform and attend the DNC rallies on behalf of Harris? Are we to believe that these celebrities simply decided to support her out of the goodness of their hearts? Cardi B, for instance, had made it clear earlier this year that she would not choose a presidential candidate, only to later attend a rally and stumble over her speech. Were they paid?


Celebrities who appear at presidential rallies are typically not paid directly by campaigns for their appearances. Instead, they usually volunteer to support the candidate or cause, using their public platform to influence voters. However, their expenses, such as travel, lodging, and security, may be covered to make their participation feasible. For instance, a celebrity like Beyoncé might request coverage for travel, lodging, and security, asking for an amount that could indirectly compensate her.


For example, a $50,000 request for security detail might cost her only $20,000, potentially allowing her to pocket around $30,000. The same logic could apply to lodging expenses. Celebrities are strategic, and someone like Beyoncé could have simply sent in a video of her speaking against a black backdrop with the same impact. So, were celebrities directly paid to endorse Kamala? No, but other legal arrangements were likely made.


Despite this, many supporters believe the celebrity endorsements may have hurt Harris’s campaign more than they helped, especially since many of these celebrities have ties to Sean “Diddy” Combs—though there is no concrete evidence linking them to any illegal activities associated with him. Public sentiment seems to be shifting away from celebrities due to the wealth gap, with many stating, “Celebrities are not relatable to us average people. They don’t have to worry about inflation or rising food prices—we do.”

the snows of khione ballet fiona gold books

Harris received a substantial amount of campaign funds in a short span of four months, prompting her to invest the funds legally into her campaign, potentially by finding loopholes to indirectly compensate celebrities for their endorsements. However, this may have ultimately harmed her campaign.

bottom of page