May 9, 2024
By Jude McElroy
Editor
According to a 2023 study published by the Pew Research Center, nearly 80% of Americans describe national politics in a negative way. However, it is still a topic that prompts discussion among the public and celebrities. Some say celebrities should not share their political opinions, but I believe they should if they want to.
It’s easy to forget that celebrities are actual people with lives and political beliefs, and it is human nature to hold opinions. It is completely understandable not to want to talk about politics all the time, and it is also reasonable to have positive, mixed or negative feelings about a celebrity’s political statement.
Celebrities’ comments on politics have had some drastic effects, too. For example, the opinions of the country band ‘The Chicks’ about then-president George Bush greatly hurt their reputation in 2003. Similarly, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s support of Democratic nominees in 2018 caused a massive spike in voter registration after then-Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee insinuated in a tweet that Swift’s audience consisted only of teenage girls. To prove otherwise, even more fans registered to vote.
More recently, Swift posted on Instagram about registering to vote in the 2024 election. According to the New York Times, Swift promoted the non-profit Vote.org, which then reported about 35,000 new voter registrations.
It’s easy to forget that celebrities are actual people with lives and political beliefs, and it is human nature to hold opinions.
On the other hand, an article from the business magazine Forbes references multiple studies suggesting that celebrities have little ability to change the public’s mind on political topics. The magazine referenced a study done by the market research company YouGov showing that only 5% of British respondents would actually change their opinion to match that of a celebrity. While this data was collected in another country, it still shows that people are unwilling to morph their views simply to align with a celebrity’s.
An article published in the magazine The Hollywood Reporter points to more nuance when it comes to celebrities’ political opinions. According to the Hollywood Reporter, most people find it appropriate for celebrities to weigh in on climate change, diversity in the media and equal pay,
Within reason, celebrities should feel free to share their political opinions without fear of losing fans, being doxed or tanking their career. As long as they are not spreading blatant misinformation or hate, celebrities should be able to speak their mind just like any other person.
