Washington: The night before Election Day 2024 was filled with star power at Kamala Harris’ rallies, as the Democratic candidate brought out a host of celebrities to support her bid for the White House. Harris made her final push in several key battleground states, with a focus on Pennsylvania, where the spotlight shone brightly on her campaign.
In Pittsburgh, Harris’ supporters were entertained by a lineup that included comedian Cedric the Entertainer, pop star Katy Perry, and singer Andra Day. Later in Philadelphia, she was joined by DJ Cassidy, Fat Joe, and Ricky Martin as part of her intense cross-state rally efforts.
One notable absence, however, was Beyoncé, who had appeared with Harris in Houston the previous month. Although she didn’t perform, Beyoncé delivered a powerful speech alongside fellow Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland, endorsing Harris and energizing supporters. She also gave Harris the rights to use her track “Freedom” as a campaign anthem, echoing her support from 2016, when she endorsed Hillary Clinton.
At his own rally in Pittsburgh, Trump reacted to Harris’ celebrity-backed rally, expressing little interest in her celebrity endorsements. He criticized Beyoncé’s previous appearance at the Houston event, saying, “Everyone’s expecting a couple of songs. There were no songs. There was no happiness.” Trump’s remarks were met with boos from his supporters, highlighting the divide over celebrity influence in politics.
Trump further noted that his campaign doesn’t rely on celebrities to draw crowds. “We don’t need a star because we have policy. We have great policy,” he said. However, he did humorously recognize a few high-profile guests at his rally, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, journalist Megyn Kelly, and Roberto Clemente Jr., son of the baseball legend.
Harris’ campaign didn’t stop at Pennsylvania. She organized performances across several battleground states on the eve of Election Day. In Las Vegas, pop icon Christina Aguilera and electronic duo Sofi Tukker joined the rally. Meanwhile, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the country music duo Sugarland performed.
Through these events, Harris combined in-person rallies with a Democratic get-out-the-vote livestream, connecting with supporters across all seven battleground states. Her campaign strategy leaned heavily on the influence of these high-profile endorsements, hoping to inspire a last-minute push in voter turnout.
Harris’ use of celebrities highlights the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of star endorsements in swaying voters. While some feel celebrities bring energy and visibility to a campaign, others, including Trump, believe policies are what truly count.
As Election Day unfolds, voters will decide if Harris’ star-studded rallies will pay off in the final vote count.
