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Real damage was inflicted on Donald Trump on Wednesday evening, as the words of one of America’s most influential and popular female figures filtered across the screens of millions of young voters. Yes, Kamala Harris had a good debate, but it’s what happened a mere minutes after the mics went silent that may have a more lasting impression. That’s when Taylor Swift stepped – and spoke – up.
In a 306-word message to supporters on her Instagram account, the songstress announced that she would be voting for Harris come the November election. “ I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them,” Taylor wrote.
How big a deal is that endorsement? Well, it certainly can’t hurt Harris. As Richard T. Longoria notes: “Celebrities can easily get media attention, act as campaign surrogates, expand the voter base and make campaign contributions. All these things can help a candidate win.”
Meanwhile, Mark Clague notes that popular music has long played a role in U.S. politics – and that’s a good thing. “If music gets more Americans to the polls, regardless of whom they vote for, Americans are more likely to have a result that they can trust.”
A statement from an American musician makes its way into another of the pieces we highlight today. A couple of weeks ago, the U.S. rapper Macklemore announced he was canceling an upcoming gig in Dubai over the United Arab Emirates’ role in “the ongoing genocide” in Sudan. May Darwich explains why the Gulf State and others are taking an interest in – and possibly arming – the conflict.
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