As the final sprint in the race for the White House begins, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are still battling it out in the polls.
In this battle, both candidates are rallying famous supporters, opinion leaders, in the hope of tilting the vote in their favor.
Whether active or retired, American athletes are rallying behind their champion.
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US presidential election
They are neck and neck in the polls. Across the Atlantic, it is even said to be at the point where a single vote can change the result of the entire election. Even more so if this voice, listened to by thousands, even millions of others, is able to influence another vote. In this frantic race for the White House between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the two adversaries are scrambling to obtain the support of celebrities. Stars, particularly from the world of sport, including fan base might want to follow their voting instructions.
If this support does not ensure a conversion rate at the polls, both for the Democratic candidate and for her Republican rival, it is still better to have them with you than against you. If only to confirm a vote, if not to direct it. In this quest for reinforcements, Kamala Harris leaves with a head start over Donald Trump. Beyond Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and, of course, Taylor Swift, who did not hesitate to get involved publicly, the one who is running for the Oval Office has garnered the support of a very large number of opinion leaders. Particularly within the all-powerful NBA, where champions plead its cause.
The choice is clear to me
LeBron James, NBA star Basketball player
Starting with LeBron James, the superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers, who has already endorsed in the past Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020 in their duel against the Republican billionaire. “When I think about my children and my family, about their future, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS!!!”wrote the “King”, on October 31, on his social networks. A voting instruction accompanied by a video montage denouncing the racist nature of Trump's controversial meeting (new window) at Madison Square Garden in New York, where ex-wrestler Hulk Hogan played room attendant (new window).
With a few exceptions, Dennis Rodman (new window) in the lead, the North American Basketball League unsurprisingly supports Kamala Harris. “I believe that Kamala, as President, could bring back unity and continue to move our country forward”said Steph Curry, leader of the Golden State Warriors and Olympic champion in Paris, at the end of August, in a video broadcast during the Democratic Convention (new window) in Chicago. An event during which his coach Steve Kerr spoke to him, wishing “Good night” at the Trump camp imitating the “Night Night” celebration (new window). Along the same lines, legends Magic Johnson, who helped launch the “Athletes for Harris” campaign (new window)and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also supported the current vice-president of the United States.
The NBA is going all out for Harris
During the campaign, current and former NBA players and coaches spoke out in support of Harris. Gregg Popovich, Victor Wembanyama's coach in San Antonio, said out loud the bad things he thought of Donald Trump. “He's sick. He's pathetic, he's a little man, he's a crybaby and we all know it”scolded the legendary Spurs coach since 1996. “You wouldn't hire him to babysit your kids. You wouldn't hire him if you had a business. (…) But you're going to vote for him as President? Kamala Harris kicked his ass during of the debate, and since then he has done everything to avoid it.”
While women's rights are at the center of electoral debates, Kamala Harris has also received the support of the vast majority of female athletes. Including WNBA stars, A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Caitlin Clark, tennis legend Billie Jean King, the most followed rugby player in the world, Ilona Maher and even newly retired footballer Megan Rapinoe.
“We can't let 'you know who' win”thus launched the 2019 Ballon d'Or, Olympic champion and double world champion with “Team USA”, in reference to a return of Trump to the White House. “We have an opportunity to be part of something absolutely incredible and unprecedented – putting not just a woman, but a black woman, in charge of the country. If you're not excited about that, I don't know what which makes you happy.”
Trump is also a hit
Elsewhere, in major leagues like the NFL (American football), the NHL (ice hockey) or the MLB (baseball), Donald Trump nevertheless has strong supporters. If fifteen of its “Hall of Famers” ride for Kamala Harris, the all-powerful NFL (new window)known as conservative, also comes out in favor of the former tenant of the Oval Office. Legends like Brett Favre and Lawrence Taylor looked at his meetings when, as recently as October 27, San Francisco 49ers player Nick Bosa showed up during a post-game interview (new window) with a “Make America Great Again” cap, the Trumpist slogan.
One franchise alone symbolizes this political divide: the Kansas City Chiefs (new window)two-time reigning winner of the Super Bowl, where Travis Kelce, the boyfriend of a certain… Taylor Swift, affirmed democrat, plays. Harrison Butker, one of Kelce's teammates, known for his pro-Trump positions, mixing homophobia and misogyny, gave his public support to the Republican candidate. “I support the president who will be the most pro-life, and I think Donald Trump is the most pro-life president. This is the most crucial issue for me”announced to Fox News (new window) the kicker declared pro-life.
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A commitment that Tom Brady, the legendary, is careful not to have quarterback to seven Super Bowl rings, more than any other player. Just like his designated successor Patrick Mahomes, despite Trump's provocations boasting that his wife Brittany Mahomes, who “liked” some of his social posts, is “a big MAGA supporter”. “I don’t want my influence to be used to support any candidate or do anything”explained in mid-September the golden boy of the chief.
Donald Trump is the best choice for our country
Dana White, boss of the UFC, the largest MMA organization
If he has support in the NFL, Donald Trump can boast of having loyal supporters in other parts of American sport. Among them: baseballer Roger “Rocket” Clemens, one of the best pitchers in history; boxer Mike Tyson and promoter Don King; racing driver Danica Patrick; golfers Tiger Woods and John Daly; or Caitlyn Jenner, who won Olympic gold in 1976 in Montreal before her gender transition. A long-time Republican activist, the latter also posted her advance vote (new window) on the social network
But where Trump can boast of having the most supporters is in the UFC, the most powerful MMA organization in the world. His boss Dana White campaigned openly (new window) to get him re-elected to the White House. “I'm in the tough guy business, and this man is the toughest of them all. (…) America needs a strong leader, and the world needs a strong America. I know that Donald Trump is the best choice for our country”he said in July, at the close of the Republican Convention.
Loyal spectator of the UFC, Donald Trump saw Dana White's machine transformed into a propaganda instrument at his service. To the point of having the right to one's own entry, an honor and ritual reserved for fighters.
The latter have also regularly expressed their sympathy for him, like Colby Covington, always wearing his “MAGA” cap. “Long live Trump. Trump 2024!”Evan Elder even shouted just after one of his fights (new window)on July 14, after being made aware of the assassination attempt (new window) targeting the former president of the United States.
A closeness with the UFC taken to the extreme. At the end of October, three of the best fighters Justin Gaethje, Henry Cejudo and Beneil Dariush became part of Donald Trump's campaign by attending a town hall meeting in Michigan, one of swing statesto convince the Arab-American electorate. No one knows if this will have an impact on the vote in this final sprint. But, in this election which promises to be extremely close, any support is good if it allows us to grab the votes which will perhaps make the difference.
