Formerly, celebrities used their platforms to influence elections and political views, but as the public grows tired of what they see as elitism and showy gestures, their power seems to be waning. Prominent individuals like Robert De Niro and Oprah Winfrey have come under fire for remarks and acts deemed hypocritical or out of date, while instances like Donald Trump’s increased social media clout demonstrate a trend in popular opinion away from Hollywood’s political narratives.
- Oprah Winfrey faced backlash after revelations her organization received funding for a townhall with Vice President Kamala Harris, raising doubts about the effectiveness of her endorsement.
- Robert De Niro and other celebrities have been criticized for suggesting they would leave the U.S. over political outcomes, yet remaining in their lavish homes.
- Many Americans view celebrity political commentary as hollow, given their wealth and detachment from the challenges faced by everyday voters.
- Donald Trump s higher follower count on X compared to Taylor Swift underscores a shift in cultural and political influence away from Hollywood.
- Public skepticism has grown regarding the impact of celebrity endorsements, with many seeing them as self-serving and disconnected from real-world concerns.
BOB RUBIN: Celebrities Do Not Have The Political Star Power They Thought They Did
The shypocrisy of Oprah Winfrey and The fact that Robert De Niro hinted that he would leave the US serves as a reminder that, at the end of the day, superstars are just regular individuals with no more knowledge of the political system than the general public.
In a nation weary of being talked down to, their pronouncements of doom and gloom have faded into the background. Celebrities have been using their platforms as megaphones to influence public opinion and voters for years.
However, their political star power seems to be eroding in spite of their declarations and drama.
Consider Oprah Winfrey, who became involved in controversy when it was discovered that her charity had accepted a sizable sum of money to hold a town hall meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris. However, detractors are now left to wonder: Did Oprah’s support even influence voters? Did anyone who was truly unsure about Harris decide, “You know what, if Oprah is on board, I’m in?”
The consequences of this have only made people less trusting of celebrity endorsements.
Then there are the plans for celebrity getaways. For instance, Robert De Niro hinted in 2016 that if Trump won, he might leave the country.
The hypocrisy of the several celebrities who yelled in 2016: “If Trump wins, I’m out of here!” is what is most absurd, though.Cherandothers expressed their disgust with a Trump presidency in a loud and proud manner. Instead of planning flights to Canada, however, they chose to remain in the United States and cling to their mansions until the time came.
The question is raised: Why the double standard? Why not go if Trump’s America is as awful as they say? Or do they secretly realize that the United States is the best location to live?
Threats by celebrities to flee the country have become as commonplace as standing ovations at award shows. These threats are more performative acts intended to invigorate their social media followings than they are sincere convictions. The typical American, however, sees through it.
Celebrity criticisms that come from people who are wealthy and have freedom seem insignificant to the majority of working-class voters. It’s almost laughable to think that Robert De Niro, who rose to fame playing gritty, tough-as-nails roles, would be so upset by election results that he would consider moving overseas.
Furthermore, a clear indication of Hollywood’s elitism is the idea that these celebrities think their views are more important than those of the typical American. For the rest of the nation, such declarations of moral superiority are just noise, but they might reverberate in the echo chambers of coastal cities.
The worst part is that President-elect Donald Trump now has more X followers than one of the world’s biggest pop musicians, Taylor Swift. America is no longer as enthralled with Hollywood elites as it once was, as seen by the fact that Trump has surpassed the ultimate celebrity in social media impact.
The question of whether celebrity endorsements are still important in politics is a bigger one. The campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris undoubtedly believed this when it invited Oprah, but the evidence seems to indicate otherwise. Celebrity star power hasn’t helped Harris’ unprecedented unpopularity.
One may actually argue that Hollywood endorsements cause more harm than good. They are perceived by many Americans as being outdated, self-serving, or even patronizing. Why, after all, should a multimillionaire musician or actor have any more sway over an election than a teacher in Texas or a small business owner in Ohio?
Perhaps Hollywood needs to take a serious look in the mirror as Trump’s return to the White House shakes the liberal establishment. Their celebrity no longer has the same political clout. Americans who live in gated communities and take vacations in the South of France are becoming less trusting of individuals who say they speak for the average person.
Although America is far from the dystopian nightmare Hollywood portrays it as under conservative rule, the reality is that it is far from ideal. Additionally, it might be time for these celebrities to focus on their primary role of entertainment and let the public handle politics.
The founder and president of Rubin Wealth Advisors is Bob Rubin. To find out more about him, go to www.rubinwa.com.
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