celebs like Taylor Swift could influence 2024 election

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Policy

“We find that celebrities who use their platforms to encourage people to vote can not only increase participation but also strengthen their brands,” Harvard said.

FOXBOROUGH, MA – 2023-05-19 Taylor Swift performs at Gillette Stadium on Friday night. Erin Clark/Globe Staff

Celebrities can “significantly” influence election results and community involvement, something new Harvard study found.

The study examined the impact of public statements by celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Trevor Noah, Kerry Washington and Questlove on nationwide voter turnout.

The report, published by Harvard’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, found that when a celebrity promotes civic engagement, it both benefits the celebrity’s image and strengthens democracy by encouraging voter turnout.

“We find that celebrities who use their platforms to encourage people to vote can not only increase participation but also strengthen their brands,” the study said.

Take the example of Taylor Swift, a key figure in the report. In 2018, she shared an Instagram story post asking her fans to register on vote.org. The site reported 250,000 new voters in 72 hours.

Or look at the case of YouTuber David Dobrik, who promised a free Tesla to 5 lucky followers. The catch — they had to check their voter registration status. More than 125,000 people registered to vote as a result of the lottery.

“While some polls show that people claim to be unaffected by celebrity voices when it comes to politics, more rigorous evidence indicates that these voices are incredibly powerful,” the study said.

The study comes at a time when both leading presidential candidates have had celebrities in attendance at various rallies and fundraisers to drum up support.

Wrestler Hulk Hogan spoke at the Republican National Convention in July, where he tore off his shirt to reveal a “Trump Vance” sweatshirt just underneath it. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion and the band Bon Iver both performed at separate venues Kamala Harris the rally that attracted large crowds.