This is an opinion column.
Has anybody asked Morgan Wallen who he intends to vote for in the upcoming Presidential election? Previously, he has been an outspoken Trump fan. He joined fellow artists Trace Adkins, Kid Rock, and Ted Nugent with his unapologetic support, but perhaps a more formal endorsement will be forthcoming.
We also need to hear who Miley Cyrus and Katie Perry are voting for too. I take it they are still tremendous Biden supporters. I assume Taylor is still a Biden endorser, but we will have to anxiously wait for comment from Ms. Swift to reaffirm as the 2024 election approaches.
Politicians have always liked rubbing on celebrities’ elbows, and celebrities have always had influence over some. Frank Sinatra campaigned for Franklin Roosevelt way back in the 1940s, and in 1960, he and Harry Belafonte endorsed John F. Kennedy.
Musicians were given credit for helping Jimmy Carter win his way into the White House in 1976. Carter’s friendship with Bob Dylan and Gregg Allman helped gain the youth vote of the time. He was also strongly supported by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.
Ronald Reagan came from Hollywood. He was a celebrity. He strongly endorsed himself.
Celebrity endorsements became even more popular with the rise of social media. When Oprah came out in support of Barack Obama during his first campaign, it seemed every celebrity felt it their personal duty to let the nation know who they were voting for too, so that all of us pawns and taxpayers would follow suit. Fast forward to the 2016 and 2020 elections and this was in overdrive.
Now we are coasting out way through 2024 and tables may be turning. Some celebrities are choosing not to be so open with their endorsements this year. Starting with none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – wrestler, actor, arguably the most popular celebrity in the nation.
In a well-publicized podcast with Will Cain, Johnson explained that he felt like it was his job to use his position to exercise his influence. He endorsed Joe Biden in 2020. He said he thought it was the best decision for himself at the time. Mum’s the word this time though. He admits he is not happy with the state of America right now. He believes his decision to go public four years ago was too polarizing. He laments the decision because of the division it helped cause – a division that continues, and as a result still deeply bothers him.
This year, he is not endorsing Biden. Do you think he will vote for Robert Kennedy Jr? Or do you think he will vote for Donald Trump. We will all forever be curious.
But it is okay. You, me, nor anyone else needs any celebrity to endorse either candidate. Just as you have the right to vote, you have the freedom and mental ability to decide for yourself who deserves your vote. You do not owe your vote to anyone or any party.
Review the last four years of your life. Think back over Covid with all the mandates and masks and vaccines. Remember how the whole of it was handled and how you felt about it. Consider inflation and any impact it has had on you and your personal finances. Do you have any thoughts on the interest rates and how they may apply to you? Evaluate the performance of your 401k. If you don’t want to do the math to calculate the last four years, simply look at last week’s market. Check out the crisis at the southern border and all the turmoil around the world, then note the current price of gas and eggs. Just as you decide on your own how to position yourself on these issues, decide on your own how you will vote.
Amanda Walker is a columnist and contributor with AL.com, The Birmingham News, Selma Times Journal, Thomasville Times, West Alabama Watchman, and Alabama Gazette. Contact her at Walkerworld77@msn.com or at https://www.facebook.com/AmandaWalker.Columnist.