As Election Day nears, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign is pulling out all the stops, enlisting Hollywood’s biggest stars to rally support in an election season that’s shaping up to be a nail-biter. Actor and comedian Will Ferrell recently made waves by delivering an ad for Harris that has sparked a range of reactions.
In typical Ferrell fashion, he humorously threatens a fictional voter, “Gary,” to emphasize that every vote matters, urging Americans to make their voices heard for Harris. “This election is going to be one of the closest in history,” Ferrell begins, then goes on to mock the idea that a single vote doesn’t count. His comedic approach, however, didn’t sit well with everyone.
Critics on social media were quick to take Ferrell to task, accusing him of overstepping by “threatening” voters. The backlash reflects a wider trend, as celebrities wade into the political fray, leveraging their fame to drive voter turnout.
Beyond Ferrell, a star-studded roster including Marvel actors Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Mark Ruffalo united in another Harris campaign video. Dubbed the “new cringe” on social media, the group playfully discusses creating a catchphrase for Harris, with Don Cheadle quipping, “I’m Kamala Harris, and I say down with democracy,” in a joke about fictional political slogans.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The latest New York Times/Siena College poll suggests an incredibly close race in key battleground states, reflecting the razor-thin margins between Harris and Trump. Harris holds slight leads in Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, and Wisconsin, while Trump appears narrowly ahead in Arizona.
States like Michigan and Pennsylvania remain in a dead heat, underscoring just how uncertain the outcome is. Even New Hampshire, a state that went Democratic in the last several presidential elections, has now shifted to a toss-up according to RealClearPolitics’ latest forecast. Voter sentiment in the Granite State, often seen as a political bellwether, reveals a palpable sense of urgency and surprise.
For voters, critical issues are front and center. Access to abortion, healthcare, and individual rights resonate deeply, especially among younger and more progressive voters. Interviewees from New Hampshire expressed diverging opinions, with some feeling Trump’s appeal has grown compared to 2016 and 2020. Others, like business owner Cody, expressed why he thinks Trump could make a comeback, comparing him to “Godzilla,” a polarizing force whom people eventually call back when worse challenges arise.
Many supporters of Harris cite a strong economy, low unemployment, and continued healthcare access as reasons to keep the current administration in power. For others, social issues, particularly reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, remain paramount, especially as voters like Mimi voiced concerns about maintaining personal freedoms.