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A recent poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that a significant majority of Republicans disapprove of celebrities sharing their political views, underscoring broader concerns of information overload and political fatigue among Americans following the contentious 2024 election. According to the poll, 61% of Republicans strongly or somewhat disapprove of celebrities speaking out on political issues, while only 11% approve, and 27% remain neutral. On the other hand, Democrats are more open to celebrity political engagement, with 39% approving, 20% disapproving, and 40% indifferent.
The findings come amid a larger trend of Americans feeling overwhelmed by the constant deluge of political news. Sixty-five percent of adults surveyed reported limiting their consumption of news related to government and politics due to information fatigue. This sentiment extends to other major topics as well, with half of respondents expressing similar fatigue regarding coverage of overseas conflicts, and around 40% feeling overwhelmed by news about the economy and climate change.
Democrats were slightly more likely than Republicans to report political news fatigue, with 72% of Democrats reducing their consumption compared to 59% of Republicans.
The poll highlights that Americans are not particularly eager for politics to intersect with entertainment or commerce. While 43% of respondents approve of small businesses speaking out on political issues, the approval rate drops significantly for celebrities, professional athletes, and large corporations.
Only 25% of respondents approve of political statements from celebrities, while 40% disapprove, and the remainder remain neutral. Democrats are generally more supportive of public figures, including athletes and large companies, sharing their political views compared to Republicans. However, small businesses speaking out on politics receive similar levels of approval across party lines.
These results underscore a growing skepticism about the influence of celebrities on political opinions, particularly among Republicans. One notable example from the 2024 election was Taylor Swift’s endorsement of the Harris-Walz campaign.
Despite the pop star’s support, President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the election, suggesting that celebrity endorsements may hold less sway than expected. According to AP VoteCast data, 44% of women aged 18-44 voted for Trump, alongside 48% of women aged 45 and older. Swift’s endorsement, which Democrats hoped would energize young voters, seemingly had limited impact on the election’s outcome.
The poll also highlights a shift in how Americans engage with political discourse. Podcasts such as “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which focus on political and cultural commentary, appear to have influenced voters more than celebrity endorsements. This trend reflects a broader preference for grassroots discussions over high-profile celebrity interventions in political matters.
Overall, the poll sheds light on the post-election sentiment in the United States, where political fatigue and media saturation have left many Americans looking to limit their exposure to contentious issues. The survey, conducted between December 5 and 9, gathered responses from 1,251 adults through online and telephone interviews. The margin of sampling error was +/- 3.7 percentage points, indicating a reliable representation of public opinion.
As the nation continues to grapple with political divisions and media overload, these findings suggest a growing desire among Americans for less intrusion of politics into entertainment, business, and daily life. For many, the line between political discourse and personal spaces seems increasingly blurred, leading to frustration and fatigue.
Whether this trend will reshape how political messages are delivered or how public figures engage with politics remains to be seen, but the data clearly indicates that Americans are seeking a break from the relentless political noise.
