Kamala Harris/ Beyoncé/ Texas rally Friday/ Freedom anthem/ 2024 election/ reproductive rights/ Newslooks/ HOUSTON/ TEXAS/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Beyoncé is expected to appear at Kamala Harris’ rally in Houston, Texas, on Friday. Harris has adopted Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” as her campaign anthem, reflecting her focus on defending reproductive and personal freedoms in the upcoming election against Donald Trump. The rally will feature women affected by Texas’ restrictive abortion laws, with Harris positioning freedom as the central theme of her campaign.
Kamala Harris and Beyoncé Rally: Quick Looks
- Beyoncé appearance: The music icon will attend Harris’ rally in Houston, Texas, days before the election.
- Campaign anthem: Harris uses Beyoncé’s 2016 hit “Freedom” to highlight her message on protecting rights.
- Focus on reproductive rights: The rally will feature discussions about Texas’ restrictive abortion laws.
- High-profile support: Beyoncé has long supported Democratic politicians, including the Obamas and Hillary Clinton.
Beyoncé to Join Harris Rally in Texas, Campaign Anthem ‘Freedom’
Deep Look
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to receive a major boost in her presidential campaign on Friday, as music superstar Beyoncé is expected to join her at a rally in Houston, Texas. The event, which takes place just 10 days before the 2024 election, will highlight Harris’ message on defending American freedoms, a theme that has become central to her bid to win the White House.
Beyoncé’s anticipated appearance at the rally brings considerable star power to Harris’ campaign. The Grammy-winning artist’s 2016 track “Freedom,” from her groundbreaking album Lemonade, has become the anthem of Harris’ presidential run. Harris has used the song to underscore her focus on key issues such as reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and freedom from gun violence—all areas she has emphasized as under threat from Donald Trump’s agenda.
The rally, taking place in Beyoncé’s hometown of Houston, will focus on Texas’ restrictive abortion laws, which were implemented after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. Harris has been outspoken about the dangers of such laws and has centered much of her campaign on advocating for reproductive freedom. Women affected by the state’s abortion restrictions will be featured at the event, highlighting the personal impact of these laws.
Harris’ stop in Texas reflects her strategy to focus on key issues like abortion access in battleground states, including Georgia and Texas, where the election could be decided. While Texas has historically leaned Republican, Democrats are hopeful they can make inroads, especially with high-profile support like Beyoncé’s helping to draw attention to Harris’ closing arguments.
Beyoncé has been closely aligned with the Democratic Party for years. She famously performed at both of Barack Obama’s inaugurations and campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016, performing alongside her husband, Jay-Z, at a concert supporting Clinton’s bid for the White House. Now, her endorsement of Harris is expected to energize voters, particularly young and diverse communities.
Beyoncé’s track “Freedom” has been more than just a campaign song for Harris; it reflects the values at the core of her candidacy. The song’s powerful lyrics and themes of liberation and resistance resonate with Harris’ vision of protecting the rights and freedoms that she argues are at risk under a potential second Trump presidency. Harris has made a point of using the song as her walk-out music at various rallies, reinforcing the message of empowerment and freedom at every stop.
While Beyoncé’s presence will undoubtedly draw significant attention, this is not the first time her influence has been felt in the political sphere. The superstar has long used her platform to advocate for social justice and support Democratic causes. In 2009, she performed at Barack and Michelle Obama’s inaugural ball, and in 2013, she sang the national anthem at Obama’s second inauguration. During the 2016 election, she and Jay-Z headlined a pre-election concert for Hillary Clinton in Cleveland, where Beyoncé emphasized the importance of voting to secure the country’s progress.
Beyoncé’s collaboration with Harris began earlier in the campaign when she gave Harris permission to use “Freedom” in her debut campaign ad. Since then, Harris has consistently used the song’s dynamic chorus to introduce herself at rallies, strengthening the association between the campaign’s themes and Beyoncé’s anthem of empowerment.
Polling data underscores Beyoncé’s broad appeal, especially among Democrats. A January poll conducted by Ipsos for the nonprofit organization With Honor found that 64% of Democrats held a favorable view of Beyoncé, compared with only 32% of Republicans. Overall, 48% of Americans had a favorable opinion of the singer, indicating her influence extends across party lines.
Beyoncé’s possible involvement in the campaign gained traction earlier this year when rumors circulated that she would make an appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. While those rumors ultimately proved false, Beyoncé’s endorsement of Harris has remained a powerful tool for mobilizing voters, particularly on social media platforms where she has a massive following. An Instagram post by Beyoncé endorsing Kamala Harris would likely attract widespread attention, similar to how other celebrity endorsements, such as Taylor Swift’s, have made waves in this election cycle.
For Harris, Friday’s rally marks another key event in her final push to energize voters in the closing days of the 2024 election. With Beyoncé by her side, Harris hopes to galvanize her supporters and highlight the stakes of the election, positioning herself as the defender of American freedoms against the policies and rhetoric of Donald Trump.
