400,000 Attendees Expected as Music Stars Split in Midterm Push
From Nicki Minaj to Bruce Springsteen, major artists are using rallies and concerts to endorse candidates in the final days before the November 3 vote.
By Hassan Ellis ·
American voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, with a visible shift in celebrity political engagement. Major figures in music across various genres have taken specific sides, using concert stages, campaign rallies, and social media to back candidates. This surge in activity has turned the final weeks of the election into a platform for artistic political expression, with musicians leveraging their large audiences to influence the race for control of Congress.
Rapper Nicki Minaj has become a prominent voice for the Republican side. She appeared with President Donald Trump at a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on October 25. Despite earlier criticisms during his first term, Minaj has grown into a vocal supporter since his return to the White House. She told the crowd, "I am so honored to be working with this president," and urged supporters to vote for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and Governor John James. Kid Rock, a longtime ally, also joined the trail to support James. In Georgia, country singer Jason Aldean introduced Trump at a rally in Perry on October 24, reinforcing his public alignment with the administration.
On the Democratic side, rock legend Bruce Springsteen endorsed Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed via social media on Monday. Springsteen described El-Sayed as a fighter for the American Constitution and called the current White House leadership corrupt and lawless. He stated, "That's why I'm in his corner 100%." Pop star Olivia Rodrigo showed visible support for Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a concert in Columbus on Thursday. Rodrigo wore a T-shirt with Acton's name on stage and presented her with a bouquet of flowers the following evening. Acton thanked Rodrigo on social media for using her voice to inspire a new generation.
In Texas, country music figures have rallied behind Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Willie Nelson, 93, released an endorsement video in October, describing Talarico as a good man who would serve well. Other supporters include the group The Chicks, Eagles founding member Don Henley, and Kacey Musgraves. These endorsements reflect a growing political divide within country music, a genre traditionally associated with conservative audiences but now increasingly defined by public political stances.
Musicians have also organized events to express political views beyond formal endorsements. On October 3, guitarist Tom Morello held the Power to the People Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The lineup included Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Joan Baez, and Dave Matthews. The concert combined live performances with messages on democracy and civil rights. Springsteen performed "Streets of Minneapolis," a song released in January in response to deaths during federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
The festival featured collaborative performances of classic protest songs, including Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World." Young, a longtime critic of Trump, has been involved in disputes over the use of his music at political events. Although the concert was not an official Democratic campaign event, its timing and messaging aligned with the wave of opposition to the administration ahead of the midterms.
As the election takes place on Tuesday, the political divisions in the country are clearly reflected in its music industry. From rap and country to rock and pop, artists are using their public profiles to ensure their voices are heard beyond their musical work. They are influencing the narrative of the midterm race as control of Congress remains at stake.
