Spanish.- Social media has evolved into a political battleground, where governments and political parties recognize the importance of digital conversations. Whether during elections or not, these platforms receive millions of dollars to position messages.
As the United States approaches the presidential elections to choose the next occupant of the White House, Democrats are seeking the endorsement of Taylor Swift to boost Joe Biden’s campaign. Given the need to accumulate votes, especially in light of the advanced age of the current president and reelection candidate, whose disapproval stands at 53%, according to Ipsos, Swift emerges as a key influencer.
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The renowned singer has 279 million followers worldwide on Instagram alone, an impressive number for a campaign in which, according to Real Clear Politics, Joe Biden would trail his main rival by four points if the elections were held today (43.3% for Biden vs. 47.1% for Donald Trump). Additionally, Swift is an idol for a significant portion of the young American electorate, further highlighting her potential influence in the elections. However, her support for the Democratic Party also reflects the urgency of that party to secure the votes of the younger generations.
The influence of Taylor Swift
To better understand the context of Taylor Swift, it is essential to highlight the significant economic impact of her “The Eras Tour,” which became the first tour to surpass one billion dollars, even acknowledged by the Federal Reserve (FED). Furthermore, Swift endorsed Biden in the 2020 campaign and, during the midterm elections, encouraged voting, resulting in the registration of over 30,000 people through Vote.org.
These events have led the Democratic Party to consider Swift as an invaluable asset against Donald Trump’s candidacy. Despite ongoing legal challenges, Trump’s popularity does not wane and has gained ground in the first two internal elections of the Republican Party. These findings align with a Newsweek survey in which approximately 3 out of every 10 Americans under 35 expressed that they would be more likely to vote for a candidate endorsed by Swift.
Angry ‘swifties’
A crucial data point from this survey is that, in the 2024 elections, there will be eight million new potential voters, according to the Center for Information and Research on Learning and Civic Engagement. This means that 41 million members of Generation Z will be eligible to vote in November.
The Democratic campaign is considering the possibility of taking Biden to one of the “The Eras Tour” concerts, although the singer will not return until October, leaving little time before the November elections. In the midst of the intense battle of the U.S. presidential campaign, Democrats aim to leverage social media and celebrity influence to bolster Biden’s image. However, they face challenges as Biden has sparked discontent among progressive youth for his role in the Israel-Hamas conflict, and black voters are increasingly upset about what they perceive as exploitation of their situation. Additionally, the Democratic Party has utilized financial resources, such as funds from progressive billionaire George Soros, to support TikTokers in favor of Biden.