Key Points
- Swift endorsed Harris after the debate, saying more can be accomplished "if we are led by calm and not chaos".
- The singer said Harris fights for the rights and causes she believes "need a warrior to champion them".
- Trump, who previously shared AI images suggesting Swift supported him, reportedly said it was his "best debate ever."
Pop superstar Taylor Swift has weighed into US politics, posting an endorsement for vice-president and Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Posting to Instagram after the debate between , the singer, who said she watched the debate, urged Americans to research "the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most".
"As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country," she wrote.
AI images
Swift said learning of false AI-generated endorsements of Trump made in her likeness and posted to his social media platform, Truth Social, prompted her to want to "be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter".
"I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election," she said.
It has been reported that Trump shared images appearing to show Swift fans wearing shirts with the slogan "Swifties for Trump", as well as an 'Uncle Sam' style image featuring what looked like Swift with the words: "Taylor wants you to vote for Donald Trump."
Swift's backing
Swift said she believes more can be accomplished for the country "if we are led by calm and not chaos".
She said Harris "fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them", and: "I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate [Tim Walz], who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades."
She signed the post off with "Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady," in reference to comments about Harris made previously made by
The singer, who has smashed records with her latest world tour and been dubbed a "cultural phenomenon", has a huge fan base, so has the potential to have a significant amount of political sway.
Endorsements for Trump and Harris
Harris has been endorsed by and has also been publicly supported by celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Robert De Niro, George Clooney and Olivia Rodrigo.
Former US vice-president Dick Cheney is among a number of prominent Republicans who have said they will vote against Trump and cast their vote in favour of Harris.
Trump is understood to have the backing of the , as well as celebrities including Kidd Rock and Kanye West.
Nikki Haley, who was up against Trump in the 2024 presidential primaries for the Republican candidacy, has said she would be voting for Trump.
Trump came out of the debate against Harris saying it was his "best debate ever", despite him agreeing with supporters that moderation of the debate made it "three on one".
Harris' campaign has labelled Trump "totally incoherent" as well as "angry and rattled" and called for a second debate.
