Monday, September 23, 2024

Harris And Trump’s Biggest Celebrity Endorsements: Fran Drescher, Bill Nye And More


Topline

Celebrity voices have entered the 2024 presidential race in a variety of ways in recent weeks, and some of the biggest names in politics and in Hollywood have lent their voices to a particular candidate in hopes of moving the needle this November.

Bill Nye walks the runway at The Blue Jacket Fashion Show during NYFW at Pier 59 Studios on Feb. 5, ... [+] 2020 in New York City.

Getty Images for The Blue Jacket Fashion Show Key Facts

Actress Fran Drescher on Sunday posted an animated video to TikTok set to the theme song of her famous show "The Nanny" supporting Harris, with lyrics like "She's got brains, she's got balls and Tim Walz/She'll soon be President Harris."

Famous television scientist Bill Nye, in a video posted to the Kamala HQ TikTok account Saturday, called Trump a "climate change denier" and encouraged viewers to "vote with the climate in mind."

Nye is set to appear at a "Geeks & Nerds for Harris" fundraiser on Sept. 28 hosted by "Wonder Woman" star Lynda Carter that will also feature "Star Trek" actors LeVar Burton and Anthony Rapp, actor Misha Collins of "Supernatural," Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and others.

Joe Germanotta, a New York City restaurant owner and father of pop star Lady Gaga, endorsed Donald Trump on Fox News and called the former president "a patriot" (his daughter has not yet endorsed a candidate but in 2020 congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their win, saying she had "nothing but love" for the pair and calling them her "heroes" in 2021).

Pop star Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, a songwriter and producer, on Tuesday made a video about National Voter Registration Day and Billie said they would both be voting for Harris and Walz "because they are fighting to protect our reproductive freedom, our planet and our democracy."

At a Friday rally in Las Vegas, Trump thanked reggaeton star Nicky Jam for his endorsement, but apparently thought he was a she—saying: "Do you know Nicky? She's hot. Where's Nicky?"—before correcting himself after Jam climbed to the stage, saying, "Oh, look, I'm glad he came up."

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump and recording artist Nicky Jam during a campaign rally at The ... [+] Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas on Sept. 13, 2024.

Getty Images What Other Celebrities Have Endorsed Harris?

A number of the biggest names in Hollywood came out in support of Biden before he dropped out of the race, before turning their support to Harris. Olivia Rodrigo, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris by sharing a video of a speech the vice president gave promising to "stop Donald Trump's extreme abortion bans." Major Democratic fundraiser George Clooney, who used a New York Times essay to call for Biden to drop out of the race, lent his support to Harris and Barbra Streisand said she would support Harris because of her vow to fight for reproductive rights. Musician John Legend, who performed at the Democratic Nation al Convention in 2024, posted he was "so ready" for a Harris presidency. Director Spike Lee, "West Wing" creator Aaron Sorkin and director Ken Burns hrew their support behind Harris, along with actresses Rosie O'Donnell and Jamie Lee Curtis. Robert De Niro, who narrated an advertisement for the Biden campaign, praised the president's "selfless patriotism" in a statement that did not mention Harris but said "there is nothing more important for our country than defeating Donald Trump at the ballot box." British pop artist Charli XCX brought Harris into the Gen Z fold by tweeting "kamala IS brat," an endorsement that was met by Harris' team changing the background photo on her X account to the "brat" green color and using the same font used on Charli XCX's album of the same name. Rapper Cardi B, who in May said she wouldn't be endorsing Biden, tweeted "AHAHAHAHA LETS GOOOOO I TOLD YALLL KAMALA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE 2024 candidate…." Pop musician Kesha said she plans to support Harris in November and, when asked how she felt about Vance, responded "f—- that man." Beyoncé has not made a public endorsement but did give the Harris campaign permission to use her song "Freedom" in a video of her first official visit to her campaign's headquarters, a rare approval from the superstar musician. Beyoncé's mom and businesswoman Tina Knowles endorsed Harris with an Instagram post. Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle and former President Bill Clin ton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have also thrown their support behind Harris. Former President Jimmy Carter, 99, reportedly told his son last week he was trying to make it to his 100th birthday so he could cast his vote for Kamala Harris. "Sex in the City" actress and former New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon threw her support behind Harris and her Vice Presidential pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in a post that read: "I'm Walzing on air!" Billionaire Mark Cuban, who previously said he was committed to voting for Biden, has also supported Harris and endorsed Walz as her running mate, calling him someone who "can sit at the kitchen table and make you feel like you have know him forever." Actor Tony Goldwyn, Republican political commentator Ana Navarro, comedian Mindy Kaling and actress Kerry Washington each supported the Harris-Walz campaign by hosting one evening of the Democratic National Convention. Nick Offerman, Jane Fonda, Ben Stiller, K athy Griffin, John Stamos, Ed Helms, Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz were among those who appeared on a "Comics for Harris" virtual rally via Zoom, which reportedly raised close to half a million dollars for the Harris campaign. Over Labor Day weekend, a fundraiser for the Democratic ticket in Southampton, New York was hosted by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and fashion designer Tory Burch, among others. Actors Matt Damon and Lin-Manuel Miranda will attend fundraiser in New York City in September—for which tickets are listed at $25,000 per person—to support the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket, Bloomberg reported. Actress Aubrey Plaza posted a photo of herself on Instagram holding Grumpy Cat—the face of a famous meme—with the caption "HARRIS 🇺🇸 WALZ. Mel Brooks said he was "all in" for the Harris and Walz ticket in a post to social media holding his dog, adding "I don't have a cat, so a dog will have to do!" Stevie Nicks did not name a particular candidate when she encouraged her followers to vote in an Instagram post this week, but signed her message "Childless Dog Lady." Billionaire pop star Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris in an Instagram post minutes after a debate between Harris and Donald Trump wrapped up, with a photo of her holding her cat that has since been recreated by several other celebrities. After declining to endorse a candidate in 2020, Martha Stewart said at the Retail Influencer CEO Forum she will supporting Kamala Harris in the election because she wants a president "who doesn't hate New York" and "doesn't hate democracy," the Daily Beast reported.

What Other Celebrities Have Backed Trump?

Former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan ripped off his shirt while on stage at the Republican National Convention last month to reveal a Trump-Vance campaign shirt underneath, and called Trump his "hero" and the "greatest president of the United States." Musician Kid Rock has been vocal about his support of Trump in the past and at the RNC revamped his song "American Bad Ass" to include references to Trump. UFC President and personality Dana White called Trump the "toughest, most resilient human being." Rapper and reality TV star Amber Rose gave a speech at the RNC in support of Trump. Country music stars Chris Janson and Jason Aldean also appeared at the convention. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy in January said voting for Trump over Biden was a "no-brainer." Public-facing billionaires like Elon Musk and Steve Wynn have also supported the former president. Actress Rosanne Barr, a longtime conservative supporter of Trump, clapped back at Cuban's endorsement of the Harris-Walz ticket and called the VP pick "another reason Harris is a disaster." Rapper Azealia Banks last year said she would vote for Donald Trump in Novemebr and she appeared at a rally in Florida this summer. Actor Jon Voight has defended Trump on multiple occasions. 50 Cent's 2023 song "Many Men (Wish Death)" started trending online after the assassination attempt of Trump last month. The rapper responded by putting Trump's face on the cover of his "Get Rich or Die Tryin.'" While it's hard to call the response an official endorsement, he did appear to support the president in 2020 before apparently backtracking. Other celebrities who have supported Trump in the past, but not outright endorsed him yet this election season, include Lil Wayne and "Happy Days" star Scott Baio. Trump thanked Brittany Mahomes, wife of NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes, for her "defending him" after she lashed out at social media users who criticized her for liking several pro-Trump posts last month (Mahomes has not formally endorsed a candidate).

Who Has Not Endorsed Trump Or Harris?

Notable names missing from the list of public supporters include billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who called the decision "too important to rush."

Further Reading ForbesKamala Harris Confirms She's Running For President-After Biden's Crucial EndorsementBy Mary Whitfill RoeloffsForbesHere's How Kamala Harris Performs In Polls Against Trump-As Biden Drops Out And Endorses HarrisBy Sara DornForbesTrump's Lead Over Biden And Harris Jumped After RNC, HarrisX/Forbes Poll FindsBy Sara DornForbesElon Musk's X Introduces Trump-Themed Hashtags After He Endorses Former PresidentBy Antonio Pequeño IVForbesBarack Obama Endorses Kamala Harris For President-Joining These Major Democrats (Full List)By Allison Beck Further Viewing

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