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On the night of Sept. 10, just after the presidential debate, Taylor Swift posted on to share her endorsement for current Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential run. The next day, during an at the MTV Video Music Awards, she encouraged her fans to vote. 

This came after many celebrity endorsements. Charli XCX Harris “brat,” Megan Thee Stallion  at a Harris rally and Beyoncé Harris’ campaign permission to useher song “Freedom.” On the other side, Elon Musk called Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump “,” and Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan, and Amber Rose made appearances at the Republican National Convention. These endorsements are part of a trend of celebrities speaking out about politics and a growing expectation that they do so. 

Swift has been weighing in on politics since the 2018 midterm elections—and, according to , she has a “record of boosting civic participation.” Tens of thousands of people have registered to vote using links she provided on social media. This year, in the 24 hours she had a link on her Instagram story, used it, per a spokesperson from the U.S. General Services Administration, the government agency that runs the site. Ideas vary on how large an impact this endorsement will have, but there is it could boost Harris’ support among young voters (those under 30), a demographic where she has been falling behind based on an compiled by the Cook Political Report.

Does this mean that celebrities have an obligation to speak about politics? When considering this question, it’s important to evaluate whether celebrities can meaningfully influence politics. In 2008, Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement of Barack Obama in the Democratic primaries had a on candidate choice. However, this much of an impact is unlikely in partisan general elections. 

Celebrity endorsements can have “modest effects” on voters’ candidate preferences, David J. Jackson, a political science professor at Bowling Green State University, but they’re more likely to boost excitement than change minds. Still, celebrity endorsements have the potential to increase turnout and get people to contribute financially. In an election as close as this year’s, celebrity endorsements might very well impact who wins.

The influence many celebrities have, with massive platforms, large audiences and captive fans, suggests that celebrities could pioneer change. They often leverage their platforms to sell personal merchandise and sponsored products to their fans. What better product to promote than social responsibility? For instance, Olivia Rodrigo used her considerable influence by attending a White House news briefing in 2021 to . If celebrities have power, it stands to reason that they have an obligation to use it for good. There are many bad things happening in the world, and sometimes, saying nothing says something.

However, celebrities’ statements can drown out experts, lack nuance, and fall into the trap of “slacktivism.” Musician Pharrell Williams thinks it would be better if celebrities , saying he gets “annoyed sometimes” when he sees “celebrities trying to tell you [who to vote for].” Pop star Chappell Roan likewise to give a political endorsement (although she has she will vote for Harris), saying she doesn’t “feel pressured to” because there are “problems on both sides.” 

Both Williams and Roan said they will vote; Roan has also encouraged her fans to vote. To them, their responsibility is more action than lip service: “I care about my people and I care about the country,” said Williams, “but I feel there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and I’m really about the action.”

Celebrities and influencers have a moral duty to use their platforms responsibly. This moral duty includes not spreading , hate, and other harmful things, but whether it extends to , such as endorsing political candidates, is up for debate. If celebrities have an obligation to speak on a topic, they have an obligation to both be educated and have an opinion on that topic. To expect that from celebrities just because of their large platforms seems ridiculous—there are too many issues and too many complex positions. As for endorsements, ballots are private, and it is unfair to require all influential people to disclose for whom they’re voting. It can be beneficial for celebrities to encourage their fans to be civically engaged, but action is more important than performative activism. 

Whether you look to Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, or Kid Rock for cues on political issues, I would encourage you to listen to the words Swift included in her Instagram post: “Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make.”