Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for US president

Taylor Swift, self-proclaimed “childless cat lady,” has publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president of the United States.

On Tuesday, the global pop star broke her silence on U.S. politics, voicing her support for Harris over Donald Trump in the 2024 election, calling the Democratic candidate a "steady-handed, gifted leader."

“I will be voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” Swift posted on Instagram following a televised presidential debate, which she said she had watched.

“I’m supporting @kamalaharris because she champions the rights and causes I believe need a strong advocate,” Swift wrote. “I think she is a calm and capable leader, and I believe our country can achieve much more if led by stability rather than chaos.”

Swift playfully ended her post by referring to herself as a “childless cat lady,” a jab at a widely criticized comment made by Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, which was aimed at mocking Democratic women.

Until now, Swift had remained silent on the topic, even as her fans rallied under the “Swifties for Kamala” banner, raising substantial funds for Harris's campaign.

However, the 34-year-old singer revealed that AI-generated images falsely showing her endorsing Trump, which stoked her concerns about the dangers of misinformation, spurred her to speak out.

“It made me realize I need to be transparent about my actual voting plans,” Swift said. “The best way to fight misinformation is with the truth.”

She encouraged her fans to “do your research,” while stating she had done hers and made her choice. “The choice is yours to make,” she added.

Swift expressed special admiration for Harris's running mate, Tim Walz, praising the Minnesota governor for his long-standing support of LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and reproductive rights.

A massive global celebrity with a fiercely loyal following, Swift’s influence is powerful. Though she stayed out of politics during Trump’s 2016 victory, she made headlines in 2018 when she endorsed the Democratic candidate opposing far-right Tennessee politician Marsha Blackburn. While Blackburn still won, it marked a turning point for Swift's political involvement.

Since then, Swift has supported Joe Biden, advocated for LGBTQ+ rights through her music, and denounced the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Swift's endorsement of Harris quickly went viral, with her post gaining over two million likes within 30 minutes.

“With love and hope, Taylor Swift,” she concluded.