“Not for this election, that’s clear!” notes Laurence Maslon, professor of art at New York University. “People probably realize that Beyoncé and George Clooney don’t have to worry about gas prices or eggs.”he emphasizes.
In the United States, more than in most other countries, the mix between stars and political figures has been well established since the days of Frank Sinatra bringing together his Rat Pack group to support John F. Kennedy in 1960.
This year, Hollywood fundraisers raised tens of millions of dollars to finance Kamala Harris’ record-breaking campaign.
But this strategy “will never be the sesame that everyone expects”, points out Margaretha Bentley, professor at Arizona State University, who notably teaches a public affairs course devoted to Taylor Swift.
For the researcher, the failure of the Democrats should lead them to “a deep self-analysis” to question “what could have been more successful”including when it comes to celebrity endorsements.
Trump prefers athletes
Author of a book on the political commitment of stars, Mark Harvey also believes that no one “shouldn’t be hugely surprised.”
“The idea that celebrities can influence people to vote for candidates is not really supported by scientific data”he recalls.
According to him, their impact is limited to areas in which these stars have real experience or expertise.
What if politics was more of a ring than a concert stage?
As a champion, Donald Trump surrounds himself with big names from the world of sport, like the night of his victory, with UFC boss Dana White, a “tough” man and a “hell number” according to him.
As for golfer Bryson DeChambeau, he describes him as “fantastic” and even as hitting the ball “slightly further” than him, Donald Trump being a fan of this sport with his own club in Florida.
And to the applause of the public, much praise was devoted to its richest supporter, the billionaire Elon Musk.
Donald Trump also received the support of Joe Rogan, influential host of one of the most popular podcasts in the world, particularly among young men.
Hollywood’s Bitter Defeat
In an election “largely dominated by cultural issues, one of the most powerful was that of masculinity”pointe Mark Harvey.
“This idea of being a ‘real guy’, the ‘macho’ Trump, that’s the kind of thing Joe Rogan plays with all the time”he adds.
More “the value and impact of celebrity endorsements for candidates” is indeed the subject of “debate”, says Ashley Spillane, head of a consulting firm specializing in particular on the influence of stars on society.
According to her, there are “strong evidence that celebrities have a real impact on promoting nonpartisan civic engagement more generally,” like Taylor Swift’s call to vote which led 400,000 people to go to a voter registration site.
Despite the defeat of Kamala Harris, Hollywood has not remained silent, like Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis or actor John Cusack who is already denouncing Donald Trump as a “fascist in absolute power”.
Rapper Cardi B even shared a bitter story on Instagram: “I hate you all so much.”
