This year’s U.S. presidential election proved something we all secretly knew: Celebrities are officially irrelevant. Donald Trump not only won the presidency but swept all seven crucial swing states, granting Republicans an unprecedented landslide victory. Even political forecasters were caught off guard; polls consistently indicated that Trump was one of the most polarizing figures on the ballot. Yet, as votes were tallied, the win was clear.
The narrative the media crafted leading up to the election focused heavily on the overwhelming support for Kamala Harris from Hollywood’s elite. Nearly every A-lister imaginable rallied for Harris and the Democrats, from Taylor Swift and Beyonce to Ariana Grande. Add up their Instagram followings, and you’ve got a platform that reaches over half a billion fans. To put that into perspective, that’s more people than the entire population of the United States and Canada combined. And yet, the Democrats still took a nosedive, despite reportedly spending over $1 billion on their campaign compared to Trump’s $650 million. A significant portion of the Democratic budget went towards celebrity endorsements, media appearances, and social media campaigns, hoping that star power would help sway undecided voters. If your feed was anything like mine, it felt like an endless scroll of celebrities doing their best to convince people to #VoteBlue, flashing high-fashion “I Voted” selfies from their multimillion-dollar mansions. You’d expect this star power to sway public opinion heavily, but as it turns out, fans were more than willing to double-tap—and then go vote for Trump.
On the flip side, Trump had about as many celebrity endorsements as you’d expect from someone who was made up to be some sort of social pariah by the media. With few Hollywood endorsements, Trump’s supporters were less mainstream icons and more divisive figures: social media personalities like Andrew Tate, podcast host Joe Rogan, and tech mogul Elon Musk openly voiced support for his campaign. These figures, though controversial, resonate deeply with a different, more skeptical audience. Tate and Rogan, for instance, have massive platforms reaching millions with podcasts and viral social media clips that draw millions of views. And Elon Musk, whose X following is a colossal 155 million, makes waves with every political comment or “like.” Musk’s ownership of Twitter (now X) further amplified this effect. His $40 billion acquisition of the platform in 2022 marked a new era where public discourse was far less filtered, creating a forum for unrestrained political commentary. His own polarizing tweets, combined with a platform redesigned to encourage debate, effectively redefined Twitter from a celebrity-driven platform to one dominated by raw, contentious discussions.
It’s worth asking: are these figures actually more influential than Hollywood? With millions of loyal followers, Rogan, Tate, and Musk seem to tap into something Hollywood can’t touch. While traditional celebrities campaigned hard for Harris, it was Trump’s “outsider” endorsements that appeared to connect with people’s disillusionment. A recent poll indicated that Gen Z is increasingly interested in values associated with conservative ideals, from family-centered traditional lifestyles to skepticism of mainstream media narratives. Look no further than the recent trend of “trad wives,” women advocating for traditional family values and lifestyles, or influencers like Nara Smith, a young mother and housewife who gained a major following for her conservative-leaning content.
This apparent disinterest in celebrity endorsements might also be rooted in current economic realities. With inflation soaring, wages stagnating, and essential costs rising, Hollywood’s detached glamour is losing its luster. Average Americans struggling to pay rent aren’t exactly finding inspiration in lavish celebrity lifestyles. In fact, a survey from early 2024 showed that 60% of Americans felt celebrities were “out of touch” with real-world concerns. When Hollywood elites encourage people to vote a certain way, it can come across as tone-deaf, especially if their endorsement speeches are filmed from luxury estates and multimillion-dollar properties.
On the other hand, figures like Rogan and Musk appear more relatable—or at least less blatantly removed from everyday challenges. Musk’s public battle with California’s regulatory environment and Rogan’s unapologetic approach to free speech make them relatable to many who feel increasingly distrustful of establishment figures and narratives. And when you’re choosing between groceries and gas, the last thing you need is advice from a red carpet regular.
All of this reflects a deeper shift in public opinion. Celebrity culture, as it was once known, no longer holds the monopoly on influence. Instead, people are looking to unconventional sources of influence—personalities who speak candidly on controversial topics, even if they stir the pot. As people become increasingly immune to the glamour of Hollywood, figures who challenge the mainstream seem to be gaining ground, especially among younger audiences.
If Trump’s win taught us anything, it’s this: stars may still shine, but they’re no longer lighting the way.
