Taylor Swift Has a Close Relationship with the Democratic Party- Here’s Why It Might Not End Well

Disclaimer: This is an old article first written in February of this year. It is being uploaded as an example of work I have undertaken throughout the year.

While the news that Joe Biden is seeking an endorsement from the 34-year-old global superstar might come as a surprise to some, it has not been surprising for those of us who have been closely analysing the singer’s newfound power in pop culture, as well as how she currently intersects with politics. Although Swift has sought to appear, if not apolitical, then certainly politically inoffensive in recent years, her status as a billionaire and as a brand means that she will always be political unto herself, whether her and her legions of fans are willing to admit so or not. The very act of hoarding more wealth than can ever feasibly be spent is a political stance on its own. With her immense wealth and popularity in mind then, it is no wonder that the President himself is seeking her endorsement for reelection.

It is no secret that Biden’s presidency is in trouble. Despite his promises to bring change to a deeply divided America, it has not escaped the public’s notice that many of these promises simply haven’t been fulfilled, nor has he been able to turn the tide of Republican-led attacks on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Worse, he has refused to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, despite the fact that 61% of potential voters, including a 76% majority of Democrats, are in favour of one. This decision in particular is likely to cost him the youth vote, with many online vowing to either vote third party or abstain from voting on a national level at all, instead calling for grassroots activism on the local level to increment change. With the threat of a non-existent youth vote withstanding, Biden’s apparent ploy to bring Taylor Swift on board his campaign makes sense as a strategy to bring young voters onboard. But what can this strategy do for Taylor Swift?

It wouldn’t be the first time that Swift has pledged her allegiance to the Democratic Party. She first announced she was voting for the party in a 2018 Instagram post after years of not speaking on politics for fear of being blacklisted like the Dixie Chicks. She’s also been an outspoken advocate against Donald Trump in particular, which might make the concept of endorsing his direct rival appealing. However, the shift in attitudes towards the Democrats by young voters leaves one wondering if Swift could be more helpful to Biden’s campaign than Biden’s campaign could be helpful to her. If Swift takes on the task of endorsing Biden in the midst of the current climate, not only would she be publicly siding with a man who has been heckled with the name ‘Genocide Joe’ amidst criticism of her own silence towards Palestine, she would also be taking on an undesirable place in the public sphere as a typical billionaire.

A large part of Swift’s charm among her fanbase hinges on her relatability, on her ability to build a parasocial relationship with her fans and craft lyrics that can apply to heartbreak universally. By endorsing Biden’s campaign not only in name but perhaps monetarily as well, she runs the risk of being seen as just another billionaire lobbying for their preferred candidate, which would put a dent in her relatable image among her younger fanbase. It could also place her in the uncomfortable realm of Bezos, Musk and Zuckerberg among public perception, a perception that she has been trying to avoid since reaching billionaire status by citing her ability to make ‘feminine ideas (become) lucrative’ as a net positive for the world. Even if Biden’s bid for reelection is successful, would standing with him have a positive impact on Taylor Swift’s legacy? In the long run, with the Democrat’s seeming inability to tackle important issues coupled with the unceasing demands for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, stepping into the endorsement race might come off as detached from the zeitgeist: something she cannot afford to do if she wants to sell us an image of relatability.