Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, voiced frustration with his party’s reliance on celebrity endorsements during the 2024 election cycle.
Speaking on CNN This Morning, Landsman criticized the Kamala Harris campaign for banking on star power to sway voters, suggesting it was a flawed strategy.
“No one really cares who these celebrities are voting for,” he remarked.
Fox News reported his comments came after CNN aired a focus group clip where voters mocked the Democratic Party’s use of Hollywood elites to push its message.
One participant called the strategy a “star-studded circus,” while another urged the party to engage more directly with grassroots communities. Landsman agreed, noting that many voters back home crave pragmatism and moderation, not flashy endorsements.
“I hear it all the time,” Landsman said, citing conversations at town halls and local soccer games. “People just want politicians to do the work and be normal.” He admitted he avoids social media and prefers connecting with constituents face-to-face.
Highlighting the absurdity of the strategy, Landsman said voters’ skepticism about celebrities was “hilarious because it’s true.” He acknowledged that relying on endorsements from Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and others made Democrats appear out of touch.
Despite the high-profile support, Harris lost to President-elect Donald Trump in a decisive victory. The election’s outcome led commentators to question the cultural relevance of celebrity endorsements in modern politics.