# How much of an impact could Taylor Swift have on the 2024 election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 18, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758 "2023-08-18T14:49:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/41 "2023-08-20T06:51:08Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > She claims Taylor is quite vocal on policy and candidates. Cite, with footnotes. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/42 "2023-08-20T07:08:36Z")
Yeah, sure. I’ll be sure and ask the Lil’wrekker what Instagram posts she recommends. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/43 "2023-08-20T10:34:04Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Hope somebody proves us both wrong some day. Well, one day all the young progressive people who don’t vote will turn into old people who vote for a fascist. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/44 "2023-09-20T01:59:54Z")
> [@Win\_Place\_Show](#): > > Even if it’s a “I don’t care who you vote for {wink, wink} but just PLEASE register as soon as you turn 18, and get out and vote you guys” Like this? > **[Taylor Swift Reminds Swifties to Register to Vote: ‘I’ve Heard You Raise Your...](https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-national-voter-registration-day-powerful-voices-1235727711/amp/)** > > Taylor Swift shared a message to her fans on National Voter Registration Day urging them to utilize their 'powerful' voices to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/45 "2023-09-20T02:05:46Z")
Good for her. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/46 "2023-09-20T14:47:09Z")
Oh, that is beautiful. Thanks for sharing! ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/47 "2023-09-20T15:36:26Z")
No doubt she got the idea from lurking here … 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/48 "2023-09-20T15:38:27Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > 2024 she is scheduled for 82 Concerts. With most of them outside of the US. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/49 "2023-09-22T15:05:18Z")
It looks like she can have some impact. > **[More than 35,000 people register to vote after Taylor Swift post](https://www.yahoo.com/news/more-35-000-people-register-225013225.html)** > > A Taylor Swift Instagram post drove thousands of young people to register to vote this week. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/50 "2023-09-22T20:09:39Z")
> [@Keith1](#): > > In that case vote for whoever will put more money into education. It’s clearly what’s needed 😉 One party hates education. Easy choice. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/51 "2024-01-31T03:23:32Z")
Awesome. Maybe there’s some merit to this after all. If nothing else, it sounds like at least Fox News is starting to freak the fk out. > **[Fox News Is Scared as Hell of Taylor Swift Endorsing Joe Biden](https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-is-scared-as-hell-of-taylor-swift-endorsing-joe-biden)** > > After it was reported that Biden was actively seeking Swift’s endorsement, Fox News stars have been pleading with the megastar to “stay out of politics” and “stick to singing.” ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/52 "2024-01-31T16:57:50Z")
I honestly wouldn’t have guessed Taylor Swift would be an election issue. Truly I’m living in interesting times. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/53 "2024-01-31T17:38:57Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I honestly wouldn’t have guessed Taylor Swift would be an election issue. I don’t think there are any genuine election issues anymore. Just brief soundbites and dumb shit. There will be no discussion of actual policies, or how to run the country, or what is a better direction for the economy. Elections have turned into reality TV. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/54 "2024-01-31T17:51:44Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I don’t think there are any genuine election issues anymore. It seems to me that the exact opposite is true. The election issues we are facing are vastly _more_ important than the relatively minor differences in economic or social or foreign policy that have been at stake in the past. The “election issue” is existential. One side is working to end democracy and turn us into a fascist theocracy, reversing most of the progress in civil rights and human decency of the past 100 years. The reason that the likes of Taylor Swift can and should influence the outcome is not because we now believe that no expertise is required to run the country and that celebrities should be determining the outcome of elections, it’s because the issues we face are so fundamental and urgent and obvious that you don’t _need_ any political expertise to see what’s at stake. Anyone who is not brainswashed by MAGA propaganda can see what is right, and anyone with any influence should act. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/55 "2024-01-31T19:26:47Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The reason that the likes of Taylor Swift can and should influence the outcome is not because we now believe that no expertise is required to run the country and that celebrities should be determining the outcome of elections, it’s because the issues we face are so fundamental and urgent and obvious that you don’t _need_ any political expertise to see what’s at stake. Anyone who is not brainswashed by MAGA propaganda can see what is right, and anyone with any influence should act. Highlighted for truth. Unfortunately, people like Swift have to face the reality that speaking out strongly against Trump and MAGA would in all likelihood lead to attempts on her life. Hell, she’s probably got a target on her already based on nothing more than idiotic conspiracy rumors. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/56 "2024-01-31T19:42:06Z")
She’s been dealing with creeps and stalkers for years. She’s probably as well protected as the President. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/57 "2024-01-31T19:42:27Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Unfortunately, people like Swift have to face the reality that speaking out strongly against Trump and MAGA would in all likelihood lead to attempts on her life. Hell, she’s probably got a target on her already based on nothing more than idiotic conspiracy rumors. Yes, and I should not have written in a way that implies any ethical burden on her. She is not, in fact, a superhero and she should not _have_ to put herself in the crosshairs of these nutjobs. But I’m confident that she will decide to get a lot more fierce on women’s rights over this year. Her artistic gift is in expressing and abstracting her personal experience, and whatever other privilege she may have had in her life the treatment of women is something that she knows first hand. She’s certainly a BLM ally and an LGBT ally, but I think the thing that can really swing this election is a lot of new women voters turning out and even moderate Republican women turning on the Republican Party. That’s where she can be hugely influential. > [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > She’s been dealing with creeps and stalkers for years. She’s probably as well protected as the President. True enough, but I think MAGA nutjobs is a different kettle of fish to parasocial stalkers, and she’s exposed at concerts. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/58 "2024-01-31T19:47:09Z")
Going back to the original question, my answer is: probably negligible. Nothing new about somebody gathering “youth support”; if it was based on that, John Anderson would have been elected President in 1980 (in most cases, pretty much every high school and college student I knew at the time saw three possibilities - Anderson, more 10% inflation (Carter), or restarting the draft (Reagan, and never mind that it’s Congress that starts the draft and not an Executive Order)). In the end, he didn’t even finish second in any state. Also nothing new about overestimating someone’s effect on people. Oprah Winfrey once said that she would never eat another hamburger (which probably didn’t go over too well with one of her sponsors, Omaha Steaks, which also sells hamburger meat), but I didn’t notice, say, Fatburgers or Five Guys or Whataburgers closing left and right as a result. If Swift really wanted to get her fans to vote for Biden, she could have limited her tour to “blue states” at first, and send the not-particularly-too-hidden message that any remaining state that wants her to show up had better not only vote for Biden in 2024, but if there’s a Senate race there as well, make sure the Democrat wins. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/59 "2024-01-31T19:50:29Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > > [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > > > She’s been dealing with creeps and stalkers for years. She’s probably as well protected as the President. > > True enough, but I think MAGA nutjobs is a different kettle of fish to parasocial stalkers, and she’s exposed at concerts. Not to mention, increased threats mean increased danger to her security teams. Unfortunately, she has to consider their lives as well. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758/60 "2024-01-31T19:56:38Z")
I’ll tell you what, though, if anyone goes after her at a concert, they aren’t getting out alive. That’s the ultimate parasocial fantasy, to be the girl who saved Taylor’s life. After the scrum was pulled apart, they’d find the guy with a glitter heart drawn around his gouged-out eyes and suffocated with 100 friendship bracelets stuffed in his mouth. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-an-impact-could-taylor-swift-have-on-the-2024-election/988758.md?page=4)