Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for President and signs a statement as 'Childless Cat Lady'

Taylor Swift has made an unexpected political move, endorsing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 US Presidential Election.

Her endorsement came just hours after the first presidential debate, in which Harris and Trump faced off.

Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift/Instagram

Swift praised Harris in a message posted with her 238 million followers, describing her as a "steady-handed, gifted leader" and a "warrior" for topics she supports, including LGBTQ+ rights and women's reproductive liberties.

Swift stated, alongside a photo of her hugging her cat Benjamin Button, that she had also watched the debate and conducted her own study on which candidate she would vote for.

"Like many of you, I watched tonight's debate. If you haven't already, now is a good time to start researching the issues at hand and the positions these candidates take on the issues that are most important to you," she added. "As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country."

Swift's decision to speak out stemmed from a personal experience with disinformation. A phony AI-generated image of her backing Donald Trump appeared on his website in August, pushing her to confront the growing issue of AI and fake news.

"It really conjured up my fears around AI and the dangers of spreading misinformation," the theoretical "Fortnight" singer said. "The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth."

The contenders took note of the music juggernaut's endorsement. Following the debate, Democratic vice presidential contender Tim Walz commended Swift in an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, describing her tweet as "eloquent" and daring.

"I am incredibly grateful, first of all, to Taylor Swift," Walz told the crowd. "That was eloquent, and that's the type of courage we need in America to stand up." Walz invited Swift's devoted followers, known as "Swifties," to visit the Harris-Walz campaign website and participate in the election process.

Swift also included a lighthearted yet pointed shot in her article, signing off as the "Childless Cat Lady," referring to past comments made by Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance about prominent Democrats who do not have children.

"Your research is entirely your responsibility, and the decision is entirely up to you," she encouraged in her statement.

This is not the first time the singer-songwriter has advocated for Democratic politicians. Swift famously broke her political silence in 2018 to support Phil Bredesen's campaign against Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, stating that Blackburn's voting record "appals and terrifies me."

Swift supported President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris in the 2020 presidential race against Trump.

Swift's latest support could have an impact on younger voters, who make up a sizable portion of her fans. The "Cruel Summer" hitmaker's influence is difficult to deny, with her most recent album, The Tortured Poets Department, spending 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, giving her a total of 14 No. 1 albums and 17 Top 10s on the chart over the years.

With grassroots efforts like "Swifties for Kamala" gaining traction and Swift's vast fans following suit, her endorsement could be a tremendous factor in engaging young voters as the election approaches.

See Swift's full endorsement below:

Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven't already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most.

As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.

Recently I was made aware that AI of 'me' falsely endorsing Donald Trump's presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.

I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I'm voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman's right to her own body for decades.

I've done my research, and I've made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it's much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.

With love and hope,

Taylor Swift

Childless Cat Lady