This Celebrity Is Most Influential During This Election Cycle, But Will That Sway Voters On Social Media?

Professional basketball player LeBron James is the most influential celebrity this election cycle. The NBA star has raised awareness as well as motivation among the general population, specifically with generation Z voters, while James has the most trusted opinion among black voters. According to a new study contacted by Whitman Insight Strategies and MCR Data in partnership with DISQO, James, along with Tom Hanks, Dwayne Johnson and Oprah Winfrey have the most trusted opinions on social and political issues.

The Hollywood Reporter, which is owned in part by MRC Data, reported that over 12% of voters said that a celebrity, including athletes and entertainers, could help sway their thinking about the election. James was found to be the most influential with 36% of those surveyed saying he had done the most to raise awareness and to motivate people to vote this Tuesday.

However, it was Tom Hanks who was found to have the most influence when it came to political or social issues – according to 49% of those surveyed, followed by Johnson at 45% and Winfrey at 38%. More importantly, the study found that influence from celebrities ranks highest with black voters at 28%, while 20% of Hispanic/Latino voters were likely to be influenced by a celebrity. Additionally, the study found that Democratic voters are more likely to be influenced by an athlete or entertainer 17% to 9%.

However, should that really come as a surprise? According to Democratic voters, Winfrey was considered the most influential voice among celebrities today (55%), followed by Hanks (53%), Johnson (47%) and James (44%).

LeBron James has been vocal of his dislike of President Donald Trump, as the official Twitter account for Game 7 (@game7_) noted, “LeBron is never one to bite his tongue.”

For months LeBron has been active on social media, encouraging his followers to “PLEASE VOTE” as he did on Sept. 29.

Additionally, James isn’t the only celebrity to be vocal in the run-up to Tuesday’s election. A-listers such Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Elizabeth Banks, Brad Pitt and Mariah Carey have taken to social media to throw their support for former Vice President Joe Biden.

Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) offered the message of voting, while still including the #bidenharris2020 hashtag.

However, plenty of celebrities have also supported President Donald Trump on social media. According to the Whitman Insight Strategies and MCR Data rocker Kid Rock, who appeared as a special guest of the president at the most recent debate, ranked as the most influential celebrity among Republican voters. Some 46% percent of those surveyed viewed Kid Rock to be the top political/social influencer, followed by Ted Nugent (43%) and then Hanks (42%) and Johnson (41%).

While Kid Rock has been quite vocal about his support for President Trump, he’s also been among the Republican voices to also call for the wearing of masks – which he did as early as last April. From his official account (@KidRock) he tweeted, “Protect yourself and others by making a homemade cloth mask. Join the #MiMaskChallenge. Stay home. Stay safe. And if you must go out, wear a mask.”

Fellow conservative rocker from Michigan, Ted Nugent (@TedNugent) has been working to get his followers fired up for the election, and he had tweeted, “REAL MICHIGAN IS TRUMP COUNTRY!”

Other celebrities who have thrown in their support for the President include Lil Wayne, Roseanne Barr, Dennis Quaid, Stacey Dash and of course Kirstie Alley – the latter took heat for her vocal praise of Trump on social media.

Rapper Lil Wayne (@LiliTunechi) is now in the crosshairs of liberals, who questioned his decision after he offered his support of President Trump, “Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump … @potus besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership. He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done.”

Supporting President Trump was apparently almost the worst thing a rapper could do – perhaps short of starring in a Saturday morning children’s animated series, of course. While it is unlikely to result in a Tupac vs. Biggie feud, there were plenty in the hip hop community that expressed their displeasure.

Angle Haze (@AngelHaze) tweeted, “This is so wack. U Cant undo this.”

Musician/music journalist Questlove (@questlove) also responded via Twitter, “What have I …what have I….what have I done to deserve this?” – a sly reference to a Pet Shop Boys song.

Writer activist Touré (@Toure) tweeted, “I’m incredibly disappointed to see these rappers standing with Trump—Lil Wayne, Ice Cube, 50 Cent, Waka Flocka, Tekashi 6ix9ine, Lil Pump, and Kanye.”

American conservative activist Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) was just as quick to fire back, “Bad week for Joe Biden: 33.1% GDP growth … Lil Wayne comes out in support of Trump”

How much influence the celebrities will actually have on determining the election isn’t clear, but as the country remains divided the other question to ask could be whether their vocal opinions on social media will impact their careers.