In the era of Trump, many have quipped that the White House has turned into a glorified reality TV show. They are right.
The intersection between politics and art has been a welcome cultural force for decades, but behind it lies a more insidious intersection between celebrity clout and political control. Today, many of our most recognizable celebrities have become our most recognizable political figures.
Running the gamut from Taylor Swift’s calls to vote blue in past midterm elections or Kanye West calling for support of President Trump, our pop stars are slowly finding themselves obligated to throw their opinions into the political arena. If our political landscape is a reality TV show, it’s become Celebrity Apprentice: chock full of Hollywood figures competing for their limelight in a Trump-centric landscape
These forays into the political sphere may feel cheap - they may even be cheap - but they have long-lasting impacts. After Swift urged voters to register for the midterms in support of the Democratic Party, a record number of voters immediately registered for the elections. After West publicized his support of President Trump, the politician’s supporters rallied around the idea of the rapper’s endorsement, making up for the president’s dubious history with race relations. Celebrity influence is a powerful force, and it’s one that is rapidly soaking into the political sphere.
It’s easy to label celebrity activism as inherently vapid, but often, it can hold genuine merit when given in measured doses. If celebrities hold influence over the American public, they can certainly use that influence for the greater good. Take Swift’s recent single “You Need To Calm Down,” a LGBT-affirming power anthem featuring a veritable who’s who of queer personalities. It’s inherently political yet was written and produced with good intention, and as celebrities begin to champion political causes, they begin to ensure representation. Through advocacy, pop stars give a voice to those they are advocating for. For the millions of queer teens worldwide listening to Swift’s recent single, her political activism is not laughable but powerful.
The intersection between clout and control is usually paved with good intent, but that doesn’t mean that celebrities couldn’t stand to “Calm Down” on the politicking. The art of effective political discourse is one that requires tact and nuance, which celebrities often don’t have in spades. As pure-of-intent “Calm Down” was, it’s wasn’t released without controversy, with fans justifiably accusing the starlet of queer-baiting lyrics that equated her struggle with haters to the struggle for queer acceptance. Celebrities are imperfect political figures, yet they’re some of America’s loudest political voices.
The long-lasting impact of celebrity activism is unclear. Our favorite stars have their fingers on the pulse of American politics in a way no other could. If America is a reality show, we must decide if we should turn the volume up or turn off the television.
By Christian Butterfield