President Joe Biden is reportedly hoping to secure the backing of pop superstar Taylor Swift for his re-election bid in 2024, as he faces a potential rematch with former President Donald Trump.
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According to The New York Times, Biden's campaign is aware of Swift's massive influence and popularity, especially among younger voters, and is exploring ways to leverage her support. Swift, who has 280 million Instagram followers, endorsed Biden in 2020 and encouraged her fans to vote.
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A poll by Redfield & Winton Strategies for Newsweek found that 18% of voters said that Swift's endorsement would make them more likely to vote for a candidate, while 17% said it would make them less likely, and 55% said it would have no impact. The poll also suggested that Swift's endorsement would be particularly motivating for younger voters, a key demographic for Biden's campaign.
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One idea that has been floated within the campaign, reportedly in jest, is to send Biden himself to a stop on Swift's Eras Tour, which is slated to return to the US in October, shortly before the election. The tour features Swift performing songs from her re-recorded albums, which have been praised by critics and fans alike.
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The pop star had been famously apolitical until 2018, when she endorsed former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen over Republican Marsha Blackburn, who was ultimately elected to the Senate. Since then, Swift has become more vocal about her political views, speaking out against Trump and his supporters, and advocating for LGBTQ rights, women's rights, and racial justice.
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It is unclear whether Swift would be willing to endorse Biden again, or to what extent she would be involved in his campaign. Swift has not publicly commented on the matter, and her representatives did not respond to requests for comment. However, some of her fans have expressed their support for the idea on social media, using hashtags such as #TaylorSwiftForBiden and #BidenSwift2024.