Can Taylor Swift win the election for Harris (Or Trump)?

Sep 13, 2024

Tyler Foggatt, a senior editor at The New Yorker, joins the discussion on Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris and its potential impact on young voters. The conversation highlights the historical context of celebrity endorsements, from Frank Sinatra to Bruce Springsteen, and questions their effectiveness in today's political landscape. They also explore how social media shapes political discourse and engagement, emphasizing the challenges of appealing to younger demographics amid viral trends and influencer culture.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Celebrities, Politics, and the Youth Vote

01:55 • 15min

Influencers and Unconventional Political Engagement

16:35 • 2min

Engaging Young Voters: The Celebrity Influence

18:26 • 4min

The Influence of Social Media on Political Discourse and Messaging

22:32 • 2min

Celebrity Endorsements in Politics

24:37 • 10min

Exploring Elections and Social Media Interactions

34:33 • 2min

The self-proclaimed ‘Childless Cat Lady’ Taylor Swift has endorsed Kamala Harris… but what difference is it likely to make, in terms of persuading the undecideds, and getting new voters registered? We also look back at the history behind celebrity endorsements from Frank Sinatra’s backing of JFK to Bruce Springsteen and Ronald Reagan, what motivates a star to back a politician? When does an endorsement backfire? Justin, Sarah and Marianna speak to Tyler Foggatt, a senior editor at The New Yorker magazine.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media & Misinformation Correspondent

GUESTS: Tyler Foggatt, Senior Editor at The New Yorker magazine.

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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni with Catherine Fusillo, Alix Pickles and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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