Hollywood’s Kamala gamble: How celebrity endorsements backfired and shattered the illusion of influence

02/16/2025 / By Willow Tohi

Hollywood’s political influence waned after the 2024 election, as its support for Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee backfired.
Celebrities like Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro and George Clooney increasingly used their platforms for progressive causes, leading to a disconnect with the broader public.
Hollywood’s attempts to dictate political choices and anoint leaders, such as Kamala Harris, failed due to the celebrity elite’s growing disconnect from ordinary Americans.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the stark divide between the lives of celebrities and the general public, further eroding Hollywood’s credibility.
The industry’s obsession with progressive purity and cultural influence is over, and Hollywood may now focus on its primary role of entertainment rather than lecturing.

For decades, Hollywood has been a cultural powerhouse, shaping not just entertainment but also politics and public opinion. From Ronald Reagan’s rise to the presidency to the Obama-era celebrity worship, Tinseltown has long believed it could dictate the trajectory of American politics. But in 2024, that illusion came crashing down in spectacular fashion, as Hollywood’s bet on Vice President Kamala Harris exposed the growing chasm between the entertainment elite and the American public.

The progressive pledge

Hollywood’s descent into overt political activism didn’t happen overnight. It began as a slow creep, with celebrities increasingly using their platforms to espouse progressive values. What started as a trickle of political endorsements soon became a flood, as stars like Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro and George Clooney embraced the role of cultural arbiters.

Taylor Swift’s 2018 Instagram post marked a turning point. Once a non-political pop star, Swift declared her allegiance to the left, writing, “I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG.” She went on to criticize Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn, urging her fans to vote for Democrats. The post was a masterstroke of progressive signaling, and Hollywood rewarded her with adoration and opportunities.

But Swift wasn’t alone. Celebrities like Rosie O’Donnell, Jimmy Kimmel and Mark Hamill followed suit, turning their platforms into megaphones for progressive causes. The Oscars became less about celebrating cinematic achievement and more about virtue signaling, with winners using their acceptance speeches to rail against then-President Donald Trump. Hollywood’s message was clear: loyalty to the left was the price of admission to the industry’s inner circle.

The Kamala gamble

When Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection in 2024, Hollywood rallied behind Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee. On paper, Harris seemed like the perfect candidate for Hollywood’s progressive base: a woman of color with a strong progressive record. But as her campaign unfolded, it became clear that Harris was ill-equipped to handle the demands of the presidency.

Despite this, Hollywood doubled down. George Clooney, who had previously called for Biden to step aside, endorsed Harris, declaring, “We’re all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest.” Mark Hamill echoed the sentiment, urging his followers to vote for “the candidate who will both honor & further” Biden’s legacy. Rob Reiner went even further, boldly predicting, “Kamala Harris will be the 47th President of the United States. Democracy will survive.”

But the American public wasn’t buying it. Harris’s campaign was plagued by gaffes, policy missteps and a lack of coherent messaging. Hollywood’s glowing endorsements rang hollow as voters grew increasingly disillusioned with her candidacy. The industry’s attempt to anoint Harris as the savior of democracy backfired spectacularly, exposing the limits of celebrity influence.

The pop of the Hollywood bubble

The breaking point came at the 2025 Super Bowl, where Taylor Swift—once hailed as a progressive icon—was booed by the crowd. The moment was symbolic of a broader cultural shift. For years, Hollywood had convinced itself that its values were America’s values. But as the industry’s stars became increasingly out of touch, the public began to push back.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point. While ordinary Americans struggled to make ends meet, celebrities posted tone-deaf videos of themselves singing “Imagine” from their mansions. The disconnect was jarring, and it shattered the illusion that celebrities were relatable or in tune with the struggles of everyday people.

By the time Kamala Harris’s campaign collapsed, Hollywood’s credibility was in tatters. The industry’s once-mighty cultural influence had been reduced to a punchline, as Americans rejected the idea that celebrities could dictate their political choices.

A new era of celebrity culture

Hollywood’s Kamala gamble wasn’t just a political miscalculation—it was a cultural reckoning. The industry’s obsession with progressive purity alienated a significant portion of its audience, and its attempts to anoint political leaders backfired spectacularly.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Hollywood’s days as a cultural kingmaker are over. The industry’s elites may continue to preach to the choir, but their sermons no longer resonate with the broader public. In the end, Hollywood’s bet on Kamala Harris wasn’t just a loss for the Democratic Party—it was a loss for the entertainment industry itself.

And perhaps, that’s a good thing. After all, Hollywood’s job is to entertain, not to lecture. Maybe now, the industry can get back to doing what it does best: making movies.