According to exit polls by the Associated Press, a significant portion of younger voters showed support for Kamala Harris. In contrast, Donald Trump also had his share of support. The perception that younger voters don't usually participate in elections made them a crucial audience for both campaigns.

How Music Mobilized a Generation

Kamala Harris was equipped with a Beyonce hit song and support from the Howard Divine Nine, garnering 69 million popular votes and 226 Electoral College votes. This demonstrated how music and cultural awareness can have a powerful impact. The candidates' debates over reproductive rights, immigration reform, and racial/ethnic inequality dominated the election.

For example, rapper Megan Thee Stallion performed at a rally hosted by Kamala Harris. Her performance and message about loving one's body and the importance of voting highlighted the intersection of music and political issues. Harris' campaign focused on providing safe reproductive health care, including abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Beyonce's "Freedom" also played a significant role. Its themes of empowerment and social justice resonated with marginalized groups, reflecting their shared frustration over the erosion of rights. The song became an official campaign song, emphasizing the push for women's freedom and the rights of the LGBT+ community.

Endorsements and Their Impact

Taylor Swift, with 283 million followers on Instagram, publicly endorsed Kamala Harris, stating that she fights for the causes she believes in. Charli XCX also endorsed Harris in a subtle yet impactful post. These endorsements added to Harris' appeal and reached a wide audience.

On the other hand, Trump also included cultural and musical elements in his campaign. He featured songs like "Y.M.C.A" by The Village People and "Ave Maria" to appeal to different demographics. "Y.M.C.A" attracted older audiences and emphasized his focus on this age group, while "Ave Maria" resonated with religious voters.

After Trump's Twitter ban, his campaign relied more on rallies, which increased coverage on conservative media outlets. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's discriminatory jokes at a rally sparked a backlash, highlighting Trump's use of humor and his pro-free speech stance.

Unexpected Moments and Their Effects

An assassination attempt in Pennsylvania had a significant impact on Trump's campaign. The pictures of him with blood on his face and his fist in the air boosted his campaign and likely contributed to his victory in Pennsylvania.

In contrast to Harris' engagement on social media, Trump's rallies and media coverage focused on being critical and appealing to older voters. This showed the different approaches of the two campaigns.

Even in defeat, Kamala Harris' concession speech with Beyonce's "Freedom" playing still resonated with her supporters, emphasizing the message of empowerment and social justice.

Both Trump and Kamala's campaigns demonstrated the importance of music and culture in modern political campaigns, leaving a lasting impact on the electoral landscape.