During election season, when every single vote is a true reflection of our values, interests and desires for the future, the influence of celebrities can truly be a double-edged sword.
Taylor Swift, an iconic celebrity figure with a massive following, recently thrust herself into the political arena. Her intentions may be well-meaning, but it's crucial for voters to take time to critically assess why her endorsement – and that of her famous cats – of any politician or celebrity should not steer our electoral choices.
Swift’s influence spans many generations as mothers and daughters alike find joy in following the Swiftie cult.
Yet Swift's celebrity status does not automatically make her judgment more valid or informed on complex political matters. Her opinions are often far from conservative. Thus, the core issue here is not her status or her popularity; instead, it is more about the alignment of her views with our individual values and the specific needs of our nation.
Swift's endorsements and political statements reflect her personal values, which are undoubtedly shaped more by her experiences and perspectives rather than a true analysis of policy implications. Yet the choices we make in the voting booth should only be driven by our own informed perspectives on policies or the candidates' qualifications, as well as their potential to address the issues that matter most to us. Our voting decisions must be grounded in an understanding of each candidate’s stance on economic policy, foreign relations and healthcare, rather than being shaped by the opinions of a celebrity, no matter how popular he or she may be.
The risk of allowing celebrities like Swift to shape our voting behavior extends beyond mere disagreement. It introduces a dangerous precedent where popularity and media presence overshadow substance and expertise. This doesn’t just apply to Swift; it applies to any celebrity endorsement on either side. If we let celebrities’ endorsements guide our votes, we are seriously risking undermining the processes of our constitutional republic by prioritizing entertainment value over informed decision making.
I was recently encouraged to hear Brilyn Hollyhand, one of the younger voices stepping up to vote this cycle, say, “My peers and I will not be voting for Kamala Harris because Taylor Swift and her cats told us to.” May we all exercise such critical thinking and independent judgment! Let’s not let celebrity endorsements, no matter how iconic, eclipse our responsibility to make informed, independent decisions in the voting booth.
I pray that if you are reading this, you take time and do your own research. I pray that we stop relying on the media, stop listening to the opinion of celebrities or any other group of individuals who prove to distract us, focusing on the facts instead. We may not agree on everything, but I pray that we all agree on one thing: we want the best for our kids and our grandchildren. If we don’t fight for them, who will?
These people get paid to entertain, not inform, and they should not, in any way, sway our personal decisions.
Ashley Carter is a wife, mother, and grandmother living in Elmore County, where she and her husband run Farm to Table Living and Carter Farms. Ashley serves as Controller and Executive Assistant at 1819 News. She is currently working on an inspirational book of short stories. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email ashley.carter@1819news.com.
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