US Elections 2024: Elon Musk to Taylor Swift, how stars bedazzled Trump & Harris campaigns

As the 2024 US Presidential E lection heats up, with over 70 million Americans casting their votes to either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, A-list celebrities have been taking bold stances. But just how far does their power extend beyond the screen? Let's break it down with a cast of characters no less epic than the Marvel universe.

In a playful video just days before the U.S. election , Marvel stars Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, Chris Evans, Danai Gurira, and Paul Bettany seem brainstorming Kamala Harris' election campaign slogans, jokingly landing on the line “Down with Democracy” jingle. Featuring dramatic music and comic-inspired graphics, the video closes by encouraging viewers to vote on November 5.

Ruffalo, a known Democratic supporter who plays the Hulk, shared the video on X, warning fans about the stakes of this election : “Project 2025, women’s reproductive rights, climate change, LGBTQIA+ rights, public education, student debt relief, and even life-saving vaccines.”,

Not only Marvels, a star-studded lineup has rallied behind Harris's campaign, featuring endorsements from LeBron James, George Clooney, and Jennifer Aniston. In the final campaign weeks, she was joined by icons like Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, and Oprah, among others.

Additionally, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny spoke out against racist remarks made at a Trump rally, adding his voice to the groundswell of celebrity support.

So, does any of this actually sway votes? Data suggests otherwise. A YouGov survey found only 11% of Americans report reconsidering their stance based on a celebrity, and only 7% have voted for a candidate because of one.

Taylor Swift—the pop sensation, 'childless cat lady,' and vocal Donald Trump critic—was one of the earliest to speak out. "After watching the debate, I urge everyone to research the issues and candidates carefully. I recently learned that an AI-generated video falsely endorsing Donald Trump was posted under my likeness, emphasising the dangers of misinformation. To be clear, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election . Harris, a steady and gifted leader, champions causes I deeply care about, while Walz has long advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom. For all voters, especially first-timers, remember to register and consider voting early—it’s easier and ensures your voice is heard." She posted on Instagram.

According to a 2024 Harvard Kennedy School study, celebrities still boost voter registration and civic engagement, especially with younger voters. When Kylie Jenner posted a non-partisan voter registration link in 2020, the site reported a 1,500% spike in traffic the day after and an 80% increase in registered users.

Star Wars legend Harrison Ford, who took his first public political stand this election . In a pair of black-and-white clips, he explained why, at age 64, he has decided to tell “people I’ve never met who I’m voting for and why” for this election . In one clip, he explains that while he doesn’t agree with every single policy, he says: “These two people believe in the rule of law. They believe in science. They believe that when you govern, you do so for all Americans, they believe that we are in this together. These are ideas I believe in. These are people I can get behind.”

“Trump spent four years turning us against each other while embracing dictators and tyrants around the world. That's not who we are. We don't need to make America great again. Come on. We are great. All we need is to work together again. All we need is a president who works for all of us again,” he said.

Cardi B also brought her no-nonsense swagger to a Harris rally in Wisconsin. Standing in a white power suit, she told the crowd, “Just like Kamala Harris, I too have been the underdog.” She went on to criticize how “women have to work ten times harder” to reach the top—a sentiment that resonated with her fans.

Then, there’s Elon Musk, who took a different route, throwing his full support—and a hefty $75 million—behind Trump’s campaign. Musk claims America would reach “heights never seen before” under Trump’s leadership, promising major budget cuts through a new “Department of Government Efficiency.” He admitted it would cause some “initial economic hardship” but assured his followers the plan would pay off. Critics, though, warn these cuts might mean labour shortages and potential economic instability. Musk waved off these concerns, sticking firmly to his vision of a leaner federal government.

British comedian Ricky Gervais added a satirical spin, posting a video from his bathtub mocking celebrity endorsements. “Hi guys, Ricky G here, wellness and beauty influencer. As a celebrity, I know all about stuff. Like science and politics,” he deadpanned. “If you don’t vote the right way, it’s like a hate crime. It makes me sad and angry. And I’ll leave the country. And you don’t want that.”

This was exactly what he did in his 2020 Golden Globes speech. He didn’t hold back: "If you win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform for a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the public on anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you have spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg. So, if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent and your God.”

With the campaign ads nearing $1 billion in the last week alone, Harris and Trump are racing across battleground states. Harris, rallying in Pennsylvania, vowed to “end the war in Gaza,” while Trump, campaigning in Michigan and North Carolina, warned—without evidence—of potential “ election fraud.” The polls suggest an extraordinarily close race, with more than 75 million votes already cast.

One thing is clear, while the celebrities may not determine who sits in the Oval Office, they’re leaving a massive footprint on the 2024 election .

Inputs by Soumya Gawri