Taylor Swift has officially endorsed Kamala Harris for president, but it’s not just her vote that Harris is after—it’s the millions of passionate Swifties who follow Taylor.
In the weeks leading up to Swift’s public endorsement on Instagram, dedicated fans were already mobilizing in favor of Harris. One such fan is Irene Kim, 29, a devoted “Swiftie” who spends up to 14 hours a day interacting with fellow fans online. After attending more than five of Taylor’s Eras Tour concerts, Kim, along with other Swifties, sprang into action after Harris announced her candidacy. They started creating social media campaigns, memes, and newsletters, all with the goal of helping their favorite candidate win the White House.
Ms. Kim is now the executive director of the “Swifties for Kamala” campaign, a grassroots movement powered by over 3,500 volunteers. Since launching, they have raised more than $165,000 to support Harris’s campaign, applying the same strategies they’ve used to navigate Swift’s sold-out concerts and auctions for signed merchandise.
Although the group operates independently of Harris’s official campaign, they’ve been in touch with the team to coordinate activities like volunteer training for canvassing, phone banking, and other efforts. The Swifties’ commitment to Harris was bolstered by Swift’s Instagram post, where she debunked misinformation about her political stance and voiced support for Harris. That post, liked by over 10.7 million users, gave a significant boost to the group’s momentum, driving voter registrations and social media engagement.
Swifties are known for their fierce loyalty, and Ms. Kim believes they could be a key factor in energizing younger voters, a demographic with historically low voter turnout. As election day approaches, the “Swifties for Kamala” movement continues to grow, harnessing the power of social media and fan dedication to make a political impact.
