Taylor Swift has made her endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, sharing the news on social media Tuesday night after the debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Following the debate, Swift posted on Instagram alongside a photo of her and her cat, declaring, “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”

She continued, “@kamalaharris is my choice because she advocates for the rights and issues I believe in. I see her as a calm and capable leader, and I am confident that under her guidance, we can achieve so much for our nation, prioritizing calm over chaos. I was particularly encouraged by her choice of @timwalz as running mate, who has a long-standing history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and women’s autonomy over their own bodies,” she stated.

Swift’s endorsement came just moments after the debate concluded, and she encouraged her followers to register to vote.

Throughout her nearly two-decade career, Swift has publicly endorsed only three candidates, with President Biden being one of her choices in the 2020 election.

Fans were anticipating Swift’s endorsement for the 2024 election, knowing her influence could energize her followers, and many speculated she would support Harris. With over 283 million Instagram followers, Swift has been instrumental in encouraging her audience to register and vote. Back in fall 2023, she helped register more than 30,000 voters in a single day, which was crucial in tight races during the 2020 elections.

“We are excited about Taylor Swift endorsing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz – we’ve always believed that she would make her endorsement at the right moment, and we look forward to the energy she’ll bring to this campaign,” stated Irene Kim, co-founder and executive director of Swifties For Kamala, shortly after Swift’s announcement.

The superstar’s fame continues to rise. She is nearing the end of her extensive Eras Tour, which is the highest-grossing tour in history, added two new Grammys to her impressive total of 14, was named Time magazine’s 2023 person of the year, and her recent album “The Tortured Poets Department” has topped the charts. Furthermore, her Eras Tour concert film holds the title of the highest-grossing concert film ever.

There was speculation that Swift would show up at the Democratic National Convention, where various celebrities including Oprah, The Chicks, Pink, Mindy Kaling, and John Legend expressed their support for Harris.

Her endorsement addressed significant issues, including IVF and LGBTQ+ rights. Within just an hour of her posting, more than 3 million liked it, including celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Selena Gomez, as well as sports figures like Caitlin Clark and Rose Lavelle.

“After watching the debate tonight, if you haven’t yet, now is a good opportunity to delve into the candidates’ positions on the issues that resonate with you. As a responsible voter, I ensure I educate myself on their proposed policies and plans for our country,” Swift advised.

“I’ve recently been made aware of AI-generated content portraying me as endorsing Donald Trump’s campaign, which was shared on his platform,” Swift commented, in reference to images created by AI that suggested her endorsement, despite her previous criticisms of the Republican nominee.

“This raised my concerns about AI and the threats posed by misinformation. It has led me to the realization that clarity about my electoral plans is essential. The most effective way to counter misinformation is by being honest,” she emphasized.

After the debate, Trump appeared in the spin room and responded to a question about Swift’s endorsement stating, “I have no idea.”

Swift, who has been an advocate for voter registration in previous elections, seems poised to continue this effort.

“I’ve conducted my own research and made my decision. It’s up to you to do yours and make your own choice. I particularly encourage first-time voters to remember: you must register to vote! I also find that voting early is more convenient. I’ll share links for registration and early voting information in my story,” she noted. Her Instagram story included a link to vote.gov, where people can register or update their voting details.

She concluded her message with “With love and hope, Taylor Swift,” humorously signing off as “Childless Cat Lady” in response to remarks made by Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, who faced backlash over his comments.

In July, his comments about “childless cat ladies” re-emerged amidst discussions about a 2021 interview where he referred to women without children, including Harris, as “childless cat ladies” lacking a “direct stake” in America.

The Growth of Taylor Swift’s Political Voice

Back in 2012, during an interview with Norwegian journalist Fredrik Skavlan, the singer shared her hesitance to express political views. She stated, “I just figure I’m a 22-year-old singer and I don’t know if people really want to hear my political views. They likely want my songs about breakups and emotions.” The audience chuckled and the conversation moved on.

During the 2016 election between Trump and Hillary Clinton, she remained silent. However, in 2018, she broke her silence by endorsing U.S. Senate candidate Phil Bredesen and Rep. Jim Cooper for his re-election campaign in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. She also supported Biden in the 2020 presidential race.

In her 2020 documentary “Miss Americana”, Swift explained her newfound willingness to share her thoughts. When her publicist warned her about potential backlash from Trump, she responded, “I don’t care. If I receive negative press for saying, ‘Don’t put a homophobic racist in office,’ so be it.”

That year, she was quite active on what was then known as Twitter, sharing multiple political messages, anti-Trump posts, and retweeting Harris.

She even made cookies adorned with “Biden 2020” icing and expressed her intentions to speak out in an interview with V Magazine, saying, “The change we need most is to elect a president who understands that people of color deserve safety and representation, that women should decide what happens to their bodies, and that the LGBTQIA+ community must be acknowledged and included.” She declared, “I will proudly vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in this year’s presidential election. Under their leadership, I believe America can begin the vital healing it needs.”

The Impact of Taylor Swift’s Endorsement

Swift holds significant influence over her wide-ranging fanbase, encouraging them to register and participate in elections. In the fall of 2023, she remarkably helped register over 30,000 voters within a single day—some swing states in 2020 were decided by smaller margins.

“She has tremendous potential to communicate messages, including endorsements, that could resonate strongly with voters that both parties seek to engage,” remarks Nancy Gibbs, Professor at Harvard University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Press, Politics, and Public Policy. “Influence isn’t the same as power; it relies more on trust than authority, more on skill than tools. She has demonstrated her capability to leverage it with exceptional effectiveness.”

Swift’s tour includes nine remaining performances in the U.S., specifically three in Miami, three in New Orleans, and three in Indianapolis. Her final performance in Indianapolis will take place on November 3, just two days before the election.

Read Taylor Swift’s Complete Endorsement for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz

“Like many of you, I tuned into the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now would be a perfect time to research the issues and understand the candidates’ positions on matters that are significant to you. As a voter, I make it a point to watch and review everything I can regarding their policies and plans for our nation.

Recently, I learned that AI-generated content falsely showing me endorsing Donald Trump for president had been shared on his site. This alarming experience heightened my concerns about misinformation related to AI. It emphasized the need for me to clearly outline my actual voting intentions. The most straightforward way to counter misinformation is to speak the truth.

I will be voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m supporting @kamalaharris because she advocates for the rights and issues I am passionate about. I believe she leads with a calm demeanor and wisdom, and together, we can achieve much more in our country under steady leadership instead of chaos. I was very encouraged and impressed by her choice of running mate, @timwalz, who has championed LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s autonomy for decades.

I have conducted my research, and I’ve made my decision. I encourage you to do your research and make your own choice. Particularly for first-time voters: Remember that to vote, you must be registered! Also, I find that early voting is often much easier. I’ll share links to register and find early voting details in my story.

With love and hope,

Taylor Swift – Childless Cat Lady

Contributors: Taijuan Moorman, Rachel Barber, Maya Homan