Members of Taylor Swift’s fan base, known as Swifties, have organized a group called “Swifties for Kamala” to support Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, despite the lack of public endorsement from Swift. As of Wednesday, the group had raised $142,000 for Harris through a Zoom event that featured appearances from various political figures and activists. Swifties have been mobilizing online and felt empowered to back Harris based on their own values and understanding of Taylor Swift’s values.
Although Swift endorsed Joe Biden and Harris in 2020, she has not publicly supported a candidate this year. The group “Swifties for Kamala” has a large following on social media and is inspired by political activism within fandoms, such as Win With Black Women, which raised $1.5 million for Harris in a short amount of time. The group has also drawn attention to a statement made by Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance referring to “childless cat ladies,” a term embraced by Swifties on the call.
The event featured speakers such as Carole King, who encouraged attendees to volunteer for Harris’ campaign, and several politicians who praised the resilience and activism of Swifties. The group’s merchandise and references to Swift’s lyrics and identity as a cat lady further reinforced their dedication to supporting Harris. Despite the lack of Swift’s direct involvement, “Swifties for Kamala” demonstrates the power of fan activism in supporting political candidates and causes.
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