Vice President Harris Makes a Statement with Taylor Swift’s “The Man” at Post-Debate Party
In a notable display of solidarity, Vice President Kamala Harris chose to play Taylor Swift’s “The Man” during her appearance at a post-debate party following her presidential debate against former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The event unfolded shortly after Swift announced her endorsement of Harris’s presidential campaign.
Addressing her supporters, Harris declared, “Hard work is good work, and we will win.” She exited the stage to the sounds of Swift’s 2019 hit, stating, “See you later.”
As she interacted with her supporters, the lyrics of “The Man” resonated: “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can / Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man.”
CNN has reached out to representatives from both Swift’s team and the Harris campaign for comments regarding the choice of song during the event. “The Man” gained attention in 2020, sparking discussions around cultural double standards between genders. In the song’s accompanying music video, Swift utilized makeup and special effects to portray an exaggerated male persona, “Tyler Swift,” emphasizing the disparity in perceptions of success and ambition based on gender.
The song’s lyrics further emphasize these themes, with lines such as, “They’d say I hustled / Put in the work / They wouldn’t shake their heads and question how much of this I deserve,” along with questioning societal judgments based on appearance and behavior.
Swift, who endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket, expressed her commitment to the campaign, stating, “I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.” She praised Harris as a steady and capable leader and commended her running mate, @timwalz, for advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, fertility treatments, and women’s rights.
In a playful nod to previous remarks by Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, Swift signed her post with “Childless Cat Lady.” Following the debate, Walz conveyed his gratitude for Swift’s endorsement in a conversation with MSNBC, saying, “I am incredibly grateful, first of all, to Taylor Swift. I say that also as a cat owner — a fellow cat owner.” He emphasized the courage needed in America, remarking, “That was eloquent and it was clear.”
In contrast, Trump dismissed Swift’s endorsement, suggesting she could face repercussions in the marketplace. He stated, “She will probably pay a price for it in the marketplace,” during an interview with Fox News.
While many prominent artists have publicly objected to the use of their music by the Trump campaign, Vice President Harris appears to have avoided similar controversies. In July, Beyoncé granted Harris permission to use her song “Freedom” in the presidential campaign, which has since become an anthem for Harris at rallies and in advertisements.
CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister contributed to this report.
