After pop star Taylor Swift issued her social media endorsement of Kamala Harris, many pundits have kept their eyes peeled for other high-profile entertainers who might be planning to follow suit.
For Usher, however, the pressure campaign among pro-Harris media figures was not enough to convince him to cave.
During a recent appearance on ABC’s “The View,” the R&B singer shot down co-host Joy Behar’s efforts to evoke an attack on President Donald Trump
As Breitbart reported:
“It was like, ‘You do your research, you decide for yourselves, but I am voting for Kamala.’ In this emergency that we’re in, I always say that artists should come out and speak for Kamala against Donald Trump, because he is an existential threat to the country. What do you say to that?” Behar asked.
“I don’t get too deep into politics. I didn’t get a chance to watch the debate last night […] I think voting is an individual choice,” Usher said. “You have to look at the reality of the country that we are and the country that we want to be and find the candidate that you feel fits the category of what you wanna be and that’s it. That’s what you vote based off of.”
While Usher has indicated that he plans to vote for Harris, his ability to resist attacking Trump struck many as a symbol of the civility that has long been missing from leftist politics.
Meanwhile, social media commenters across the political spectrum continued to react to Swift’s endorsement:
Like Taylor Swift, I’ve done my research.
Unlike Taylor, I've concluded that Kamala Harris is a Marxist who will rob me of my liberty and my money.
Worst of all, she and Tampon Tim are anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, and intent on brainwashing my kids to hate freedom and love… pic.twitter.com/fJ7t3NjIvG— Scarlett Johnson (@scarlett4kids) September 11, 2024
This Swiftie is DONE with Taylor Swift after Kamala Harris Endorsement.
“I don’t want to be a Childless Cat Lady like her” pic.twitter.com/eGB4hjyliu
— Joey Caesar Salads (@JoeySalads) September 11, 2024
Trump reacts to Taylor Swift endorsing Kamala Harris: "Well, I actually like Mrs. Mahomes much better … I was not a Taylor Swift fan … she'll probably pay a price for it in the marketplace." pic.twitter.com/J9Nk56nhEB
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 11, 2024
Megyn Kelly on Taylor Swift's Harris/Walz endorsement:
"She's disgusting…F-U Taylor Swift!" pic.twitter.com/oPACiIMHEo
— Eddie (@Eddies_X) September 11, 2024
Democrats seem optimistic that the Swift endorsement will help bolster Harris’ popularity, as Fox News reported:
California Gov. Gavin Newsom told Fox News Digital from the debate spin room the endorsement “matters.”
“Some advice to Donald Trump. Don’t disparage that endorsement at your own peril,” he said. “She is a cultural icon. Something big has happened in the world in terms of the energy, environment she’s associated with. The optimism she’s associated with. That was a big deal.”
One Democratic strategist told Fox News Digital that Swift’s support could encourage more voters to turn out at the polls.
“It absolutely will impact young voter turnout. And Trump knows it,” said Jessica Tarlov, a Democratic strategist and Fox News contributor. “What’s important about how she did it is that she explained her thinking and how past experience — the AI-generated images of her — have impacted her personally and her decision.
“This isn’t the Taylor Swift of 2018, wondering whether she should wade into politics. This is 2024 Taylor Swift, who knows who she is and isn’t afraid of backlash for saying what she believes.”
A Suffolk University/USA Today poll from May reported that about 83% of respondents say that a Swift endorsement would “not at all” influence their decision on who to vote for in November.
Here’s a clip of Usher’s appearance on “The View:”
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!