Swift Makes Big Announcement Before VMA’s

Was it all just a coincidence? Taylor Swift’s sudden endorsement of Kamala Harris came a mere two days after Variety took the pop superstar to task for her conspicuous silence on the 2024 election.

In a sharply worded column, Variety labeled her silence as “regrettable,” calling attention to her previous vocal support for Democratic leaders, particularly Joe Biden in 2020, and her alignment with progressive causes.

This shift in Swift’s political visibility had many wondering whether the timing of her endorsement was a direct response to the growing scrutiny.

Swift posted her endorsement on Instagram late Tuesday, strategically timed just after the presidential debate, drawing instant attention from her millions of followers. She made it clear that she would be casting her vote for Kamala Harris, but interestingly, her tone was more measured than in past endorsements.

Swift encouraged her fans to research the candidates themselves and vote according to their own beliefs, suggesting a tempered enthusiasm compared to her past, more fervent political posts. This calculated endorsement comes at a time when Kamala Harris faces a significant uphill battle with younger progressive voters, many of whom are critical of the administration’s stance on the war in Gaza.

Variety's Monday column did not pull any punches. Daniel D’Addario wrote that Swift’s continued silence would have looked hypocritical given how much influence she has wielded in past elections, especially when speaking out on politics was convenient for her brand.

“It’d be regrettable if her engagement with the world of politics were just another of her eras,” D’Addario wrote, implying that Swift could be turning her political advocacy into a fleeting phase, much like the thematic shifts in her music.

This public pressure on Swift coincided with a critical juncture in the race. Two recent polls indicated a surge for former President Donald Trump, showing him with a slim lead over Harris. Both the New York Times/Siena poll and the Harvard-Harris poll gave Trump a slight edge, suggesting that despite the extensive media support Harris has enjoyed, voters remain unconvinced.

In a race as tight as this one, where public figures like Swift can potentially sway millions of voters, her endorsement of Harris—however reserved—will likely ripple through the final stretch of the campaign.