In 1990, sports’ biggest star, Michael Jordan, was asked to support Harvey Gantt, a black candidate against incumbent North Carolina state senator Jesse Helms, a known racist. As he admitted in the 2020 docuseries The Last Dance, Jordan chose not to get involved, famously telling teammates, “Republicans buy sneakers, too.”
Jordan may have stuck to such neutrality back then, but in the current political climate, it’s increasingly difficult for celebrities to remain on the sidelines.
Part of that has to do with social media, but that wasn’t an issue when Jordan was winning championships with the Chicago Bulls. But remaining silent today could be tacitly endorsing either side of the political divide, a polarization that many perceive as highly toxic and polarizing. Allies, and fans alike, will not easily accept silence as an option.
Chapel Lawn learned that lesson the hard way when she tried and failed to keep quiet about her choices in the 2024 pageant. This may be the first and last time the pop singer is compared to former President George W. Bush. Despite appeals to join the ranks of alarmist Republicans, President Bush has remained silent. This is despite the fact that the vice president is a stalwart Republican no less than Dick Cheney and shocked the political world by endorsing Harris as a sign that the president was feeling a sense of crisis. The outlook for Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Simply put, the act of trying not to offend anyone so as not to jeopardize your marketing field can be offensive in and of itself. It affects not only those in the spotlight, but also companies, talent and marketers, drawing people into battles they once tried to avoid, and with increasing frequency.
Those who speak out to major constituencies like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez have faced added pressure to leverage their platforms, while others have tried to stay above the fray. Even recognized this unique moment. Harrison Ford has publicly supported Kamala Harris, putting him back in the fight, figuratively speaking, alongside the likes of his more outspoken former Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill, as usual. He captured this in a quiet style.
While this situation may seem fraught with danger, especially for those with a risk-averse nature, there is actually some good news about the way the world is evolving.
First of all, in a more siled media environment, most of the people who tend to be offended when certain actors, musicians, or athletes take positions that contradict their own do so anyway. They are less likely to be included in your loyal following. In an era of fragmentation, where even the most beloved movies and TV shows reach a fraction of available consumers, the pressure to please “everyone” is still felt by major television networks. It’s different from when it was operating in “less offensive programming” mode. .
Additionally, many of the biggest stars have proven during this election cycle, and frankly at least since President Barack Obama’s election, that they can successfully navigate their foray into the world of politics. Granted, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Harrison Ford, Bruce Springsteen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and George Clooney don’t have that many mountains to climb, professionally speaking. Maybe not, but their support for Kamala Harris’ campaign has had some success, and it sets a reassuring precedent for those looking to follow suit.
Even the crowd that once told the band known as the Chicks to “shut up and sing” (and the NBA stars similarly “shut up and dribble”), no matter how outraged they were by those stars’ actions. They seem to know this intuitively. Pledge of political allegiance and toothless boycott. Remarkably, the same people occupy the MAGA column without worrying about the cognitive dissonance that comes with accepting Ted Nugent’s political acumen while rejecting his peers. is accepted with open arms.
In fact, no one is more obsessed with such star power than Donald Trump himself. He basks in the praise and approval of celebrities who support him, and regularly lashes out at those who don’t. He called Meryl Streep “overrated” at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards and criticized Jimmy Kimmel’s performance as host of this year’s Academy Awards.
Emotions are so high that there is a certain risk in publicly expressing your beliefs. But those who are moving away from that playing field and trying to rise above the fray are under distinctly different circumstances, as the billionaire owners of the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times are trying to escape President Trump and his wrath. Just think how well they were doing by avoiding support. Loyalists.
Sure, these stars, studios, and labels may sacrifice a few things, such as ticket sales or downloads or (in the case of Jordan and his successors) sneaker purchases, but marginalized people may have to pay a fraction of the cost. , perhaps completely, will almost certainly be offset by the goodwill and strengthened bond created between them. They welcome having these big names on their side.
It is a shame that the public square has become such a troublesome and dangerous zone, leaving little room for modern prying eyes to hide. So, from courts and fields to stages and screens, those on the biggest stages have discovered what Spider-Man learned more than 60 years ago: With power comes responsibility. And while the historical call for caution is understandable, in these types of storms, hunkering down and taking cover doesn’t make the winds die down any faster.
Brian Lawrie is a former pundit and media columnist for CNN and Variety.
(Top photo: Taylor Swift, Harrison Ford, Chapel Lawn)
Brian Lawrie is a former pundit and media columnist for CNN and Variety.
