This is a review column.
Has anyone asked Morgan Wallen who she plans to vote for in the next presidential election? Previously, he was an outspoken Trump fan. He has given unabashed support alongside fellow artists Trace Adkins, Kid Rock and Ted Nugent, but perhaps a more formal endorsement will be forthcoming.
We also need to hear who Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry are voting for. I think they're still fervent Biden supporters. I think Taylor remains a Biden supporter, but we'll have to wait anxiously to see a reaffirmation of Swift's comments as the 2024 election approaches.
Politicians have always liked to rub elbows with celebrities, and celebrities have always had influence over some people. Frank Sinatra endorsed Franklin Roosevelt in the 1940s and, along with Harry Belafonte, endorsed John F. Kennedy in 1960.
The musician was credited with helping Jimmy Carter win the White House in 1976. Carter and Bob's friendships with Dylan and Gregg with his Allman helped gain the youth vote of the time. He also received strong support from Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.
Ronald Reagan is from Hollywood. he was a celebrity. He strongly advocated for himself.
With the rise of social media, celebrity endorsements have become even more popular. When Oprah announced her support for Barack Obama during his first campaign, all the celebrities let the public know who they were voting for and urged us pawns and taxpayers to follow suit. Apparently he felt it was his personal duty to do so. If you look at 2016 and his 2020 election, this was in overdrive.
We are now on track to 2024 and the tables could turn. Some celebrities have decided to be less open about their endorsements this year. First up is none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — wrestler, actor, and perhaps America's most popular celebrity.
During his famous podcast with Will Cain, Johnson explained that he feels it is his job to use his position to exert influence. He supported Joe Biden in 2020. He said at the time he thought it was the best decision for him. This time, it's my mother's words. He admits that he is not satisfied with the current state of affairs in America. He believes his own decision to go public four years ago was too polarizing. He laments the schism this decision caused, a schism that continues and still deeply troubles him.
I will not support Biden this year. Do you think he will vote for Robert Kennedy Jr. or do you think he will vote for Donald Trump? We will all remain curious forever.
But it's okay. Neither you nor I nor anyone else needs celebrities to support either candidate. Just as you have the right to vote, you also have the freedom and mental capacity to decide for yourself who deserves your vote. You are under no obligation to vote for anyone or any political party.
Reflect on the past four years of your life. Let's take a look back at COVID-19, with all its mandates, masks, and vaccines. Remember how that whole thing was handled and how you felt about it. Think about inflation and the impact it has had on you and your personal finances. Have any thoughts about interest rates and how they apply to you? Evaluate your 401k performance. If you don't want to do the math to figure out the past four years, just look at last week's market. Look at the crisis at the southern border and the chaos around the world, then look at the current price of gas and eggs. Just as you decide where you stand on these issues, you should also decide how you vote.
Amanda Walker is a columnist and AL.com, Birmingham News, Selma Times-Journal, Thomasville Times, West Alabama Watchman, and Alabama Gazette. To contact her, Walkerworld77@msn.com or https://www.facebook.com/AmandaWalker.Columnist.
