Miss Americana: How Taylor Swift could save Joe Biden

Taylor Swift epitomizes contemporary superstardom, with unparalleled popularity and an immense following. As 2024 approaches, the singer could play a pivotal role for democracy by securing the reelection of President Biden and ending the political career of former President Donald Trump.

Fueled by her extensive collection of infectious songs and a dedicated fanbase, her Eras Tour, recent album releases and blossoming romance with NFL Superstar Travis Kelce, Swift will be a leading figure in popular culture throughout 2024. Beyond her economic impact on the U.S. through her tour, Swift’s untapped political influence should not be underestimated.

Swift has demonstrated her ability to mobilize her overwhelmingly young (Millennial and Gen-Z) fanbase, encouraging them to invest in merchandise, concert tickets and albums. In 2024, she may leverage this influence to guide them to the polls, building on her previous (and sometimes tepid) forays into politics.

On Nov. 7, Swift urged her 272 million followers to register to vote, resulting in more than 35,000 registrations after she shared a link to the non-partisan vote.org. The organization reported a 1,226 percent increase in participation on its website following Swift’s post.

This was not the first time Swift entered the political arena. In the 2018 midterm elections, she openly endorsed Tennessee Democrats, highlighting her concerns about Republican Marsha Blackburn’s (R-Tenn.) voting record on the issues of equal pay for women and same-sex marriage. Although the endorsement failed to yield a better outcome for Democrats in deep-red Tennessee (Blackburn easily won her Senate race), the landscape for Biden in 2024 appears more favorable, with lower hurdles to overcome nationally than those faced by Tennessee Democrats.

The increased significance of the issue of abortion access in the upcoming election could increase the likelihood that Swift will use her influence to point fans toward her preferred candidate, providing crucial support for Biden.

Recent polls indicate challenges for Biden. A CNN poll suggests that, one year out, Trump leads Biden 49 percent to 45 percent in a hypothetical matchup. Of particular concern in this and other polls is Biden’s poor performance with voters aged 18 to 34, a demographic crucial to both Biden and Swift. Although a full-throated endorsement may not turn Swifties into die-hard Biden supporters, a Swift endorsement could inspire many to vote for what they perceive as the lesser of two evils: a man who, although a relic of another era, will fight to protect access to abortion.  

If Swift throws her considerable cultural weight around in the 2024 election, she should do so strategically. There is certainly a spectrum of involvement she might consider. An interesting glimpse into such considerations can be found in her 2019 documentary, “Miss Americana,” in which she contemplates the impact of taking a public political stance on her career. 

A more conservative approach to improving the likelihood of a Biden win may involve general nationwide calls to vote. A more aggressive intervention could include a complete endorsement of President Biden, potentially accompanied by joint public appearances or participation in private fundraisers. The most effective strategy might be a calculated campaign to boost voter turnout in key swing states, such as Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Georgia.

Targeted and well-publicized concerts or appearances in these states could mobilize young voters in key cities, such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and Atlanta. Swift’s presence, coupled with incentives like free tickets for activities such as door-knocking or voting pledges, could effectively drive mobilization efforts.

Given the narrow margin of victory required in such swing states, Swift’s impact could be significant. For context, Trump’s combined 2016 margin of victory in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan was a 79,316. At one Pittsburgh concert in June, Swift broke the stadium’s attendance record with 73,117 fans on hand. In other words, her presence in any swing state, and the national attention brought about by such an endorsement, will make her Biden’s best surrogate.

Additionally, her schedule may align well with a last-minute push for Biden. Her Eras Tour will end its U.S. run in Indianapolis on Sunday, Nov. 3. This would give Swift the Monday after for a quick campaign swing through the Rust Belt, perhaps culminating with an election-eve concert in her “hometown” of Philadelphia.

Kevin Monnin, a doctoral fellow at George Mason University, holds a keen interest in politics, education, and Taylor Swift.