Celebrities and Politics: How Fans React to Endorsements

Celebrities often wield significant influence in American politics, thanks to their fame and popularity. Their endorsements can boost a politician's campaign and garner extensive media attention. However, there's a catch: the political preferences of celebrities' followers might not align with the celebrities' own. In the 2016 U. S. presidential election, researchers examined six high-profile endorsements and analyzed Twitter "follow" behaviors. They found that, except for Lady Gaga's followers, most celebrity fans were likely to follow various candidates. Interestingly, the political views of these fans could differ from those of the celebrity endorsing them. This method can be applied to other situations, like when NBA players refuse White House visits or pop stars meet with the Dalai Lama.