This endorsement came shortly after the first debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. In her statement, Swift praised Harris for her leadership and policies, expressing admiration for her ability to champion causes she believes in.
“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” Swift announced. “I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior…
“I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”
She also highlighted Tim Walz‘s long-standing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and women’s reproductive freedom.
While Swift’s support for Harris and Walz wasn’t entirely unexpected given her previous political statements, it has generated significant attention with the election looming. This isn’t Swift’s first foray into politics.
In 2018, she endorsed Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee, a move that concerned her parents, especially her father, Scott Swift.
“I’ve read the entire [statement] and … right now, I’m terrified. I’m the guy that went out and bought armored cars,” Scott reportedly told his daughter at the time, referencing the threats they had received from stalkers.
Despite her parents’ concerns, Swift felt compelled to follow her conscience. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she explained that her decision was driven by her sense of right and wrong.
“This was a situation where, from a humanity perspective, and from what my moral compass was telling me, I knew it was right, and I really didn’t care about repercussions.” However, she understood her father’s fears, stating, “My dad is terrified of threats against my safety… It’s where he comes from.”
Ultimately, Swift‘s parents, like many, are focused on their daughter’s safety, which explains their unease with her public political involvement.