Kamala Harris made a powerful exit from her debate watch party on Tuesday, Sept. 10, walking off stage to the sound of Taylor Swift's empowering track, “The Man.” The moment came shortly after Swift announced her endorsement of Harris for the 2024 presidential election, adding her support to the vice president’s campaign.
The event unfolded as Harris, 59, wrapped up her first debate with former President Donald Trump. As she bid farewell to the crowd, Harris confidently declared, “Hard work is good work, and we will win, we will win,” while the audience, including her husband Douglas Emhoff, erupted in applause. As Harris waved and stepped off the stage, Swift’s lyrics, “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can / Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man,” echoed through the venue.
Swift’s endorsement of Harris had already made waves earlier in the evening, when the singer took to Instagram to express her support. Sharing a photo of herself holding her cat, Benjamin, Swift, 34, encouraged her fans to stay informed on political issues and to research the candidates before making their decision.
"I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election," Swift wrote. "I’m voting for [Harris] because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos."
In the same post, Swift also addressed the rise of AI-generated fake images, particularly ones falsely depicting her support for Trump. She emphasized that misinformation is a growing concern and expressed the importance of transparency. “The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth,” she added.
Swift signed off her post with "Childless Cat Lady," humorously referencing a past comment made by Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, in 2021.
The political endorsement quickly gained attention, with Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, expressing his gratitude during a post-debate interview on MSNBC. "I am incredibly grateful, first of all, to Taylor Swift," Walz said, acknowledging Swift's influence while jokingly bonding over their shared love for cats.
Harris’ use of "The Man" as her exit music was a fitting choice, as the song critiques gender double standards and calls out the systemic inequalities women face. The track’s lyrics and Swift’s outspoken support perfectly matched the moment, as Harris continues to campaign on issues like gender equality, reproductive rights, and social justice.
Swift, who has been increasingly vocal about her political views in recent years, previously endorsed President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the 2020 election. Her endorsement of Harris for the 2024 campaign marks another significant moment in her journey as an advocate for the causes she cares about.
For Harris, the energetic display during the watch party underscores her determination as she fights to win the 2024 presidential race alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. With Swift’s powerful anthem playing her off stage, the message was clear: Harris is running to break barriers, and she’s doing it on her terms.
