Lesson Title: The Role of Celebrity Endorsements in U.S. Presidential Elections: Influence and Impact

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Objective
Students will develop a nuanced understanding of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, including key candidates, platforms, and the influence of celebrity endorsements on voter behavior. They will analyze the historical context, assess the current influence of endorsements, and critically evaluate the effectiveness and implications of celebrities in political campaigns.

Celebrity endorsements have played a notable role in U.S. presidential elections for over a century, often influencing public opinion and voter behavior. This phenomenon dates back to 1920 when Warren G. Harding became the first “celebrity-endorsed president” with backing from movie stars Mary Pickford and Al Jolson. Since then, celebrity endorsements have become a regular feature of presidential campaigns, with varying degrees of impact. Throughout history, we’ve seen influential figures like Frank Sinatra endorsing Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 and later supporting Ronald Reagan. More recently, Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 was estimated to have contributed over a million votes to his campaign. While these endorsements can drive enthusiasm and voter registration, their actual impact on election outcomes remains debated, with some even backfiring by creating perceptions of elitism. This lesson will explore the evolving role of celebrity endorsements, their effects on voter behavior, and their influence in the 2024 election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

 

Introduction to Celebrity Endorsements in U.S. Elections (Class Discussion)

  1. Start with a Question: “Have you ever felt more interested in an issue or product because a celebrity you admire endorsed it?” Encourage students to share examples and thoughts on whether they feel celebrity opinions hold value in their lives.
  2. Brief Overview: Provide a quick overview of the history of celebrity endorsements in U.S. politics, from the 1920s to the present, mentioning notable examples such as Frank Sinatra, Oprah Winfrey, and Taylor Swift. Emphasize that celebrity endorsements aim to influence voters, particularly younger demographics.

Main Content

Part 1: The U.S. Presidential Election System

  • Introduce the Electoral College
    Discuss the basics of the electoral college system and how it influences campaign strategies, particularly in key battleground states.
  • Key Candidates in 2024: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump
    • Kamala Harris: Provide background on her role as Vice President and highlight her main campaign promises, such as lowering the cost of living and promoting bipartisanship.
    • Donald Trump: Summarize his background as a former president and his key policy focuses on economic growth, immigration reform, and his “Make America Great Again” slogan.

Part 2: Campaign Strategies and Celebrity Endorsements

  1. Campaign Tactics
    • Discuss recent endorsements and campaign strategies from both candidates, with a focus on their media presence, such as social media and advertisements.
    • Introduce recent celebrity endorsements (e.g., Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris), discussing their potential impact on public opinion.
  2. Analyzing the Impact of Celebrity Endorsements
    • Student Activity: Polling Exercise
      Divide students into two groups: one group researches endorsements that seemed to benefit a campaign, while the other explores endorsements that backfired or had limited impact. Encourage them to consider why certain endorsements succeeded or failed.

Part 3: Key Election Issues in 2024 (Small Group Discussion)

  • Divide students into small groups and assign each a key election issue (e.g., economy, healthcare, immigration, climate change, social issues).
  • Ask each group to discuss why they think this issue is important to voters today and how it could be influenced by celebrity endorsements.

Part 4: Case Study – Historical Celebrity Endorsements and Their Impact

  • Group Activity: Research and Present
    Assign each group a notable past presidential election with significant celebrity involvement. Suggested elections include:

    • 1944: Frank Sinatra for Franklin D. Roosevelt
    • 1980s: Frank Sinatra for Ronald Reagan
    • 2008: Oprah Winfrey for Barack Obama
  • Presentation Format: Ask each group to present their findings on:
    • The candidates and main issues of that election.
    • Notable celebrity endorsements and why these figures supported the candidate.
    • Whether the endorsement seemed to impact the election result.
    • A summary of any public reaction, either positive or negative.

Part 5: Analyzing Modern Endorsements (Interactive Media Analysis)

  • Media Comparison Activity
    Show clips of recent celebrity endorsements from the 2024 election. Possible clips include Taylor Swift’s voter registration message and the “Yes She Can” campaign anthem.

    • Have students analyze the tone, message, and intended audience for each video.
    • Discuss the effectiveness of each endorsement: Does it resonate? Why or why not?

Part 6: Evaluating the Role of Celebrity Endorsements (Critical Thinking Exercise)

  1. Debate Activity
    • Divide students into two teams for a debate: “Celebrity endorsements are beneficial in political campaigns” vs. “Celebrity endorsements are harmful in political campaigns.”
    • Encourage students to use evidence from their research and previous discussions to support their arguments.
  2. Reflection and Personal Connection
    • End with a reflective exercise: “Would a celebrity endorsement affect how you see a candidate? Why or why not?” Prompt students to consider how these endorsements may influence (or fail to influence) their own views.

Conclusion and Discussion

  1. Recap Key Points: Summarize the main themes covered: the historical context of celebrity endorsements, their potential impact, and the key issues in the 2024 election.
  2. Open Discussion: Encourage an open forum for students to voice their thoughts on the role of celebrity endorsements in the 2024 election and how they may shape public opinion.
  3. Critical Thinking Prompt: Ask students to consider the ethical implications of celebrity influence in politics: “Do celebrities have a responsibility to carefully consider the impact of their endorsements?”

Homework Assignment:
Ask students to write a brief reflection on a celebrity endorsement that either influenced their opinion on an issue or that they found irrelevant. Prompt them to analyze why they felt the way they did.

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