The Biden campaign is reportedly interested in snagging one of the biggest celebrities on the planet at the moment as a surrogate for the president’s reelection: Taylor Swift.
Biden is grappling with historically low disapproval ratings and is actively exploring strategies to rejuvenate his campaign with fresh, youthful enthusiasm. Meanwhile, his probable opponent in the upcoming election, former President Donald Trump, continues to gather momentum in the Republican primaries.
In an effort to infuse his re-election campaign with a “fresh feel,” Biden’s team is considering the possibility of endorsements from high-profile figures, including celebrities. One noteworthy name under consideration is Swift, an iconic national figure who boasts the distinction of being the first artist to achieve a tour gross exceeding $1 billion, having sold 4.35 million tickets across 60 tour dates in 2023.
Biden and his team express significant apprehension about connecting with voter groups that have been shifting away from the president’s favor, particularly young, black, and Latino voters. In the 2020 election, Biden secured a 20-percentage-point lead among young voters. However, he currently finds himself in a neck-and-neck competition with Trump within this demographic. This shift can be attributed, at least in part, to concerns related to Biden’s age, his stance on Israel, and the state of the economy.
“To reach young voters, Biden’s campaign has focused heavily on social media, using videos from influencers and even those with a niche following to promote its message. The president recently visited the home of a man who had his federal loans canceled through Biden’s program, a focal point of Biden’s reelection campaign. The man’s son posted a video of Biden’s visit on TikTok, drawing millions of views,” the Washington Examiner reported.
“The campaign is discussing opportunities for celebrities to promote the president on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, according to the New York Times. There are plans to hold a fundraiser with two former Democratic presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, sources told NBC News. However, the end game is to receive an endorsement from Swift, who has become influential both on and off the stage on social media. Her recent appearances at NFL games have grown her fan base dramatically as well,” the outlet added.
NEW – Biden is hoping for an endorsement from Taylor Swift. That is his "anti-Trump" battle plan. pic.twitter.com/JabhVwLpNJ
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) January 29, 2024
Other Democratic figures have also recognized the potential benefits of having Swift rally behind the cause. Governor Gavin Newsom of California encouraged Swift to become more involved with Biden’s campaign following her get-out-the-vote post on Instagram.
“Taylor Swift stands tall and unique,” he said. “What she was able to accomplish just in getting young people activated to consider that they have a voice and that they should have a choice in the next election, I think, is profoundly powerful.”
