US Vice President Kamala Harris has deployed some of the music industry's star power to rally voters in the final weeks before November's presidential election.
On Saturday, two of the Democratic candidate's events were headlined by prominent musicians.
At her first stop, in Detroit, Michigan, singer-rapper Lizzo warmed up the crowd with a passionate backup onstage.
“I already voted early and I voted for Harris,” the musician, a Detroit native, said to a cheering crowd.
Michigan is one of seven key states in the presidential race, which could swing either Democratic or toward his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump.
Later that day, Harris plans to visit another critical battleground: the southern state of Georgia.
There he has also lined up another local hero, the musician Usher, who began his musical career in Atlanta, the state capital.
Early voting record
Saturday's visit coincided with the first day of in-person early voting in Detroit.
Absentee voting by mail had already begun in the state. Michigan's online “voting dashboard” indicated that as of Saturday morning, more than 1 million mail-in ballots had been received.
It was one of several strong showings across the country, indicating a possible surge in voter enthusiasm. States such as North Carolina and Georgia have seen record early voting turnout this week, according to officials.
Georgia Secretary of State Chief Operating Officer Gabriel Sterling aware On social media, engagement remains high. The first day of early voting in Georgia was Tuesday.
“Congratulations to the counties and especially to our great Georgia voters. You have broken another RECORD. The largest turnout ever seen in a general election on Saturday,” Sterling wrote.
While experts warn against over-extrapolating the numbers, political analysts note that Democrats have traditionally seen a boost from large early turnout.
Harris looked to build on this year's momentum during her weekend campaign stops.
“Georgia started early voting and broke historical records. North Carolina started early voting and broke all-time records in North Carolina. Now, who is the capital of record production? he told fans in Detroit, with a wink in reference to the city's music industry.
“So today we're going to break some records here in Detroit.”
Addressing the war in Gaza
During her visit to Michigan, Harris also took the opportunity to repeat her call for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has led a year-long military campaign, killing more than 42,500 Palestinians.
US support for Israel and its war has eroded support for Democrats among Arab and Muslim Americans in Michigan.
The state has the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the country and is also home to a national protest movement against President Joe Biden's administration over its stance on the war.
Harris, who has also received such criticism, expressed hope that the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza could usher in an end to hostilities.
“This creates an opportunity that I think we need to make the most of: to dedicate ourselves to ending this war and bringing the hostages home,” Harris told reporters in Detroit.
He added that Middle East politics has long been a difficult issue for the United States.
“It's never been easy,” Harris said. “But that doesn't mean we give up.”
Destroying Trump
At her campaign rally in Detroit, Harris addressed supporters in front of signs reading “Detroit Votes Early,” and she and other speakers used their platform to respond to Republican criticism of the city.
Earlier this month, Trump cast Detroit in an unflattering light, telling the Detroit Economic Membership that another Democratic president would turn the entire country into a “Motor City.”
“Our whole country is going to end up being like Detroit if she is your president,” Trump said of Harris, calling Detroit “a disaster.”
Harris, by contrast, took the stage Saturday wearing a T-shirt that read “Detroit vs All people,” a slogan that has graced clothing lines and rap songs.
Meanwhile, Lizzo addressed Trump's comments more directly. “I'm very proud to be from this city,” she told the crowd. “You know, they say if Kamala wins, the whole country will be like Detroit. Proud like Detroit. Resilient like Detroit.”
“Respect the name of Detroit a little,” he added.
celebrity endorsement
Analysts generally say the Democratic Party has been more successful in marshalling star power to its cause this election cycle.
Not only is Harris endorsed by figures like Lizzo and Usher, but celebrities like Taylor Swift, Oprah and George Clooney have also announced their support since she became a presidential candidate in July.
However, it's unclear whether celebrity endorsements really make a difference in a campaign. More than 76 percent of voters surveyed recently by Quinnipiac University said Swift's endorsement would not affect their votes.
The same goes for Republicans. Two-thirds of respondents said businessman Elon Musk's recent support for Trump would also not affect their vote.
However, Democrats are confident in the brilliance of his star power.
Next week, for example, former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama will begin their election campaign, with only two weeks left until the election.
It will be Michelle's first time racing the rally circuit. Meanwhile, Barack made his first campaign appearance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earlier this month.
Both Harris and Trump are trying to get ahead in the crucial final weeks of the campaign. Polling averages show the two are basically tied in the run-up to the vote.