The 2024 election cycle has proven to be a game-changer, not just for the political players in Washington, but for a variety of celebrities, activists, and political groups who thought they could leverage their fame or influence to shape the outcome. But, as Megyn Kelly pointed out, many of these so-called “influencers” have emerged as some of the biggest losers in this election. From pop stars like Taylor Swift to the once-prominent Lincoln Project, it’s clear that the American public has grown weary of celebrities and elites trying to dictate their political views.
Taylor Swift: The Fall of the Pop Princess
One of the most high-profile celebrity political stances came from Taylor Swift, who has long been a darling of the left. The country-turned-pop star’s attempts to become a political force culminated in an aggressive campaign to encourage young voters to support Democratic candidates. But as Kelly pointed out, Taylor Swift’s influence on the election didn’t have the desired effect—if anything, it backfired.
While Swift has a dedicated fanbase, her appeal to younger audiences who relate to her heartbreak anthems didn’t translate into political power. “Sorry Taylor, you effed around and found out,” Kelly quipped. “You do not have unlimited influence.”
Swift’s attempts to push a liberal agenda through her music and social media posts only alienated many people who didn’t share her views. People don’t mind her singing about breakups and her personal life, but when she crosses the line into politics, especially pushing her stance on voting or immigration, it doesn’t go over well with a sizable portion of her audience. Swift’s failure to affect the political landscape serves as a reminder that celebrity status doesn’t necessarily translate into real political change.
The Lincoln Project: Out of Touch and Out of Ideas
Next on Kelly’s list of big losers is the Lincoln Project, a group of former Republicans who became famous for their outspoken opposition to Donald Trump. At first, the Lincoln Project seemed poised to offer a powerful counterweight to the MAGA movement, but by 2024, it was clear that their influence had significantly waned.
The Lincoln Project’s predictions, including their dire forecasts of Trump’s inevitable loss in 2020, were not only wrong—they were laughably off-mark. As Megyn Kelly pointed out, Rick Wilson, one of the group’s founders, confidently declared before the 2020 election that Trump was “done for,” even predicting that Trump would be “wrecked.” Of course, this didn’t happen. Trump didn’t lose as badly as they anticipated, and in fact, he remains one of the most powerful figures in American politics.
Their failure to read the room—misjudging the strength of the Trump base and the overall political landscape—has cost them dearly. The Lincoln Project’s credibility has been shattered. Their self-righteousness and incessant attacks on Trump left them with little more than a hollow platform of empty rhetoric. As Kelly put it, the Lincoln Project’s fall from grace is another sign that not every political pundit or group gets to shape the narrative just because they’ve been on TV or have access to major media outlets.
Julia Roberts and Other Hollywood Elites: A Disastrous Election Cycle
It’s not just pop stars and political action committees that have suffered losses. Hollywood elites like Julia Roberts have also been revealed as big losers this election cycle. Roberts, known for her left-leaning views, joined forces with other stars like George Clooney to back Joe Biden in 2020. However, as Megyn Kelly pointed out, Roberts—who has her own history of marital scandal—was hardly the ideal spokesperson for an ad that criticized political opponents for their supposed moral failings.
Julia Roberts became part of a major ad campaign that painted Republicans as backward and unattractive, which is a fairly common Hollywood trope. But there’s something deeply hypocritical about Hollywood elites like Roberts using their platform to lecture the public on issues like betrayal and deceit in marriage. After all, Roberts herself famously “stole” her current husband from another woman.
In addition to Roberts, other celebrity elites, like Oprah and JLo, have faced backlash for their political engagement. Oprah’s influence has dramatically waned, and JLo, despite her massive fanbase, seems to be falling out of touch with the political realities of the nation. Kelly emphasized that while we might be interested in JLo’s beauty secrets or what’s going on in her personal life, no one really cares about her views on the economy or immigration.
Don Lemon and the Media Elite: A Hilarious Collapse
Of course, it’s not just Hollywood that’s getting roasted in the 2024 election aftermath. The media has its fair share of big losers as well, including CNN’s Don Lemon. Throughout the election, Lemon’s predictable rants about racism and sexism, paired with his self-congratulatory media demeanor, only served to alienate viewers. Megyn Kelly poked fun at the awkwardness of his live streams and technical difficulties, which were almost as entertaining as his increasingly desperate political commentary.
Lemon, who has often been outspoken in his criticism of the right, was caught in an awkward situation during the election, where his live-streaming efforts were overshadowed by technical malfunctions. The more Lemon ranted about America’s “racist” and “sexist” problems, the less people took him seriously. It became clear that Lemon and his ilk were just another example of out-of-touch elites who believe they have the answers to the country’s problems, but are increasingly irrelevant in the eyes of the people they claim to represent.
What Does All This Mean for 2024?
As Megyn Kelly concluded, the biggest losers of the 2024 election weren’t just the candidates who lost on Election Day—they were the celebrities, political action groups, and media figures who thought they could sway public opinion. Whether it’s Taylor Swift trying to wield political power through social media, the Lincoln Project misjudging the political climate, or Hollywood elites pushing their personal agendas, it’s clear that Americans are done with being lectured by people who have no real understanding of their lives.
The 2024 election is a wake-up call. Celebrities may have influence in the entertainment world, but their political power is far more limited. The same goes for political action committees and media pundits—people are tired of hearing from elites who fail to understand the struggles of ordinary Americans. If these celebrities and groups want to remain relevant, they’ll need to stick to what they do best—entertainment—and leave the politics to the people who understand it.
The lesson from 2024 is clear: the American electorate is tired of being told what to think by the political and cultural elite. They want leaders who understand their concerns, not stars who are more interested in pushing their personal agendas. So, to all the big losers of 2024—take note: your influence is fading, and the public isn’t listening.