Discrediting the Power of Pop Culture and the Youth Vote is a Mistake
Photo by Grigorii Shcheglov / Unsplash

Discrediting the Power of Pop Culture and the Youth Vote is a Mistake

There's power in celebrity getting their following to the polls

Donald Trump recently shot off about how Taylor Swift’s popularity will decline because she backed Kamala Harris, saying Swift will “pay a price” for stepping into politics. That’s ridiculous . Swift is far more influential than Trump gives her credit for. What he doesn’t get is that today’s youth don’t just stream her music — they show up at the polls. And while 12-year-olds might not be able to vote (I guarantee Kanye would win if they could), these young people are shaping the conversations within households.

When your teenage daughter has Taylor Swift in her ear, singing about how abortion rights are on the line, it becomes harder to stay in the Trump camp. This generation is sharp, passionate, and growing into a political force. We’re seeing that now with youth voter turnout — young people are signing up to vote in waves. In fact, states like Michigan and Nevada are already surpassing their 2020 youth voter registration numbers.

Trump’s failure to understand the power of youth and celebrity is his biggest blind spot. Swift’s fans are voters-in-waiting — teens and young adults already immersed in political issues. Swift knows exactly what she’s doing. Her messages on reproductive rights and voter suppression resonate with young people because these issues directly affect their futures. This isn’t just activism — it’s personal.

The numbers back it up. Roughly 70% of new registered voters this year are under 30, making the youth vote one of the most critical blocs in the election . While not every Swiftie can vote yet, that doesn’t mean they aren’t influencing voters around them. Parents, older siblings, teachers — anyone within their reach — is getting a dose of politics through Taylor’s lyrics and the social movements these young people champion. This election will be shaped not just by who votes, but by who influences the conversations.

Then there’s the immigrant youth — DACA recipients and DREAMers — who are becoming eligible to vote each year. This is what Trump and his supporters are really afraid of. The fear driving narratives like the “great replacement theory” comes from knowing that young immigrant voters are rising, and they’re not going anywhere. The youth vote isn’t just white suburban teens — it’s increasingly diverse and powerful, and young immigrants are becoming a core part of it.

The beauty of this shift is that it’s not about replacement — it’s about advancement. Populations blend. That’s the nature of the world. It’s not a threat; it’s progress. We’re moving toward a future where cultural identities merge, creating something even more beautiful. That’s the real American story — a melting pot where you can hold onto your culture, even if someday we all end up looking the same. And the kids leading this charge — whether through voter registration drives or through movements driven by pop culture — are proving that the future belongs to them.

Trump’s Spectacle vs. Obama’s Legacy and the Future of Democracy

Trump’s whole schtick — catchphrases, rallies, and media stunts — only scratches the surface of what it takes to influence a movement. Obama figured out years ago that pop culture wasn’t just entertainment; it was a tool for engagement. Trump might get the headlines, but Obama locked in the loyalty of an entire generation. And Swift is following that same playbook — aligning her brand with issues that matter to young people and activating millions of future voters.

This is why the 2024 election feels like a fight for democracy itself. Trump is just the tip of the spear — there’s a well-organized movement behind him, targeting the courts and voter suppression efforts to lock in power. But the counterforce is here, and it’s coming from young voters, pop culture figures, and immigrant communities that are redefining what civic engagement looks like.

Trump might think Taylor Swift will pay a price for endorsing Kamala Harris, but he’s missing the bigger picture. Pop culture isn’t just entertainment — it’s a driver of political change. And the kids listening to Swift, supporting DACA, and registering to vote are going to be the ones shaping this country’s future. They may not all be old enough to vote yet, but their time is coming. And when they do take the reins, it’s going to be beautiful.

The truth is, we’re not watching the fall of America — we’re watching its evolution. The next generation isn’t waiting for permission; they’re claiming their space now. Whether it’s through TikTok, the ballot box, or Taylor Swift lyrics, they’re proving that democracy isn’t just a system — it’s a movement. And it’s one that Trump, no matter how hard he tries, can stop.

This post originally appeared on Medium and is edited and republished with author's permission. Read more of Jay Morman's work on Medium.