‘Swifties for Kamala’ Fundraiser Nets Over $100k, Sans Taylor Swift

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Taylor Swift has yet to publicly support a candidate in this election cycle, but her fanbase, affectionately dubbed the Swifties, are actively raising funds for Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.

The “Swifties for Kamala Coalition” was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, marking its start with an impressive $142,000 raised during a two-hour virtual rally. The event featured performances by singer Carole King and included speeches from U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

Contributions varied, with many donations between $13 and $19.89, cleverly referencing Swift’s favorite number and the name of her fifth album.

The virtual rally began with Senator Warren addressing the attendees, receiving an enthusiastic response of heart emojis and cheers through the livestream chat. Warren praised the group’s resilience and alignment with the values of the Kamala Harris campaign, highlighting its opposition to figures like Donald Trump.

Later in the event, Carole King, referred to by herself as Swift’s “musical and songwriting granddaughter,” performed Swift’s hit “Shake It Off” and spoke about her experiences with political activism, even as a celebrity.

Despite the casual atmosphere of the call, the Swifties group has been active since President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race. The group, founded by 22-year-old Emerald Medrano in June, has rapidly grown to command an impressive social media presence of about a quarter million followers.

In an interview with The Cut, Medrano drew parallels between Harris and Swift, admiring both for their leadership and impactful roles in opening doors for others. He voiced strong personal reasons for supporting Harris, influenced by her commitment to individuals’ rights and identities.

While Swift herself hasn’t directly affiliated with the initiative, participants like Warren expressed hopes for her eventual public endorsement of Harris. Swift had previously made headlines for her late endorsement of Biden in the 2020 elections, a move seen by some as a departure from her previously non-political stance.

Recently, Donald Trump stirred controversy by sharing a fabricated image of Swift endorsing him for the upcoming November election, which Swift’s camp has not commented on according to Reuters.

This reporting was conducted by Melissa Cruz, an election reporting fellow at USA TODAY Network, focused on issues of voter access.


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