Celebrities and Politics: do they matter?

The evidence is mixed

In September of 2021, pop singer Camila Cabello wrote an “open letter” to CEOs of 14 major media companies—-usually known as the Hoax News Media—-urging them to get behind the new climate campaign of the recently installed president, Joe Biden (better known as Rutabaga). Cabello got support from fellow signees Lady Gaga, Shakira, Justin Timberlake, Dua Lipa, Sean Penn, Hugh Jackman, Don Cheadle, Shawn Mendes, Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish, and of course Leonardo DiCaprio. The letter was touted by late-night unfunny host Jimmy Fallon under the rubric “No Planet B.”

At least fellow unfunny late night host, Stephen Colbert, got it halfway right when he said such antics were as likely to stop “climate change” as Gal Gadot singing “Imagine” was to stop the China Virus.

Of course, none of these celebrities ever addressed the most important global “warmer” of all, the sun. It seems they have yet to find a way to tax old Sol.

Not to be left out, Prince Harry and former television star Meghan Markle, as part of the “Global Citizen Life’ concert in Central Park, wanted to combat “catastrophic climate change” and to address the “climate needs of developing countries.” Apparently the “climate needs of developing countries” weren’t the same “needs” as those of rich countries, for those “developing countries” of India, China, and most of Africa are the most voracious polluters on earth.

In the marketing world, however, the role of celebrities in selling products is still unproven. One study found younger people were “cautiously positive” about celebrities using social media to hawk positions, but they were still skeptical, while another found that endorsements could be effective, the impact varied greatly depending on the type of celebrity (national vs. local).

When it came to “climate change,” celebrities proved most useful in two areas: igniting emotions and “humanizing” science. But researchers also found this had a multifaceted effect. People would say, “Look, Leonardo DiCaprio is in the Arctic talking about climate change,” then immediately follow up with, “Wait, what does he know about science?” (Indeed, a majority of these celebrities do not even have a college degree, let alone any expertise in science). It turns out that converting people with no scientific knowledge into experts on highly contentious issues is tougher than thought!

There are other unintended side effects—-as leftists see it—-of using celebrities to advance an issue. Celebrities, by their very commercialized personas, reinforce the capitalist system the leftoids hate. Campaigns to “buy green” only, in the words of one academic critic, only contributes to the “moral authority of a hgemonic market-led governance of sustainability.” Put another way, the very traits that endow celebrities with their power enhances and expands the influence of the capitalist system they are (ultimately) seeking to destroy. Actors of the world unite! You have only your scripts to lose!

They are, however, useful “front men.” Symbols. They can “embody the sentiments of [a] party, the people, and the state,” as clearly illustrated by Donald Trump, who had no political experience when he was elected president. However, once again celebrities have run aground on the shoals of reality, for to engage (especially younger) audiences, they must engage in increasing hyperbole. For example, the “harms” of “global warming” (a phrase now abandoned because of its stupidity) led to projections that the earth only had “x number of years left.” (A review of their hysterical predictions, going back to Al Gore’s book, Earth in the Balance, reads like a litany of prophets who set a date for the return of Jesus . . . which dates came and went. So the hyperbole merely further undercuts their credibility as a trustworthy source.

Attempting to place rich, pampered celebrities into positions of “everyman” has become more difficult. Note that in the recent Hollywood writer’s strike, Dak Sheppard (worth $40 million) said he’s going broke. Similarly, even young people don’t miss the obvious hypocrisy of flying private jets hither and yon to encourage people to use fewer fossil fuels. Perhaps they’d be more credible if they sailed.

It does seem obvious that celebrities—-but not just celebrities—-with their drip, drip, drip of climate doomsterism have moved the Overton Window on the debate. But the movement was conditional on all prices and inconveniences remaining hidden and painless. As wind farms and solar consistently fail to provide rapid needed energy and as Europe itself begins to return to wood, coal, and nuclear, we are about to find out the true value of celebrity endorsements.

Larry Schweikart

Rock drummer, Film maker,NYTimes #1 bestselling author

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