Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign is facing online criticism for what many are calling a "tone-deaf" moment after a viral TikTok video featuring her and Grammy Award-winning singer Usher sparked online backlash.
Usher, who endorsed Harris in a Georgia rally on Saturday, has been linked by some social media users to Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was recently charged with sex trafficking and other federal offenses.
According to Reuters, Usher took a break from a concert tour to attend the rally, where he urged voters to go door-to-door and encourage their neighbors and friends to vote.
Online users, particularly from the Black community, have flooded social media with comments expressing frustration, suggesting that Usher's involvement, especially amid the Diddy controversy, could harm Harris's campaign more than help it.
Usher was baited into endorsing Kamala on The View, but declined.
— Rob Smith (@robsmithonline) October 20, 2024
Then Diddy got taken down, and his name was mixed in with the Baby Oil Shenanigans
Now he’s onstage in a fur coat tap dancing for Kamala.
Interesting turn of events!pic.twitter.com/zHCSGIWSzF
"This is yet another tone-deaf promotion that will lose Kamala votes instead of gain," one user wrote.
Usher used to live with Combs while working on his debut album. Usher later revealed that his time at Combs' New York home exposed him to a new lifestyle, including sex and orgies, but he has remained largely quiet about their relationship over the years, according to Forbes.
🔥🚨DEVELOPING: Grammy winning singer Usher is getting absolutely destroyed online from backlash within the Black community over this video he uploaded with Vice President Kamala Harris.
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) October 20, 2024
Black viewers are making claims like ‘this sh*t not even funny bra’ ‘what did they do to… pic.twitter.com/W9PSwVGFgO
Earlier on Saturday, Harris held a rally in Michigan where music icon Lizzo joined her. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Pennsylvania.
Harris and Trump are currently courting early voters in swing states, as polls show the two candidates essentially tied in the most competitive states with just a couple of weeks until the Nov. 5 election.
Georgia and Michigan, which began early voting on Saturday, are key battlegrounds in a presidential race expected to be decided by voters in six states, according to Axios.
Georgia's Secretary of State's office reported that more than one million votes had been cast by Friday. By 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the state had achieved record turnout for a general election, with 102,519 Georgians casting votes.
Congratulations to the counties and especially our great Georgia voters. Y'all have broken another RECORD. Biggest turnout ever for a General Election Saturday. As of 1:30pm we've had 102,519 Georgians cast their votes. You still have hours to go before the polls close... pic.twitter.com/EfM6SP6nps
— Gabriel Sterling (@GabrielSterling) October 19, 2024
Trump's campaign has similarly used music icons such as Nicky Jam and Anuel AA in his outreach to Latino voters, suggesting both candidates are leaning on celebrity power to bolster support from critical voter blocs.
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