Kamala Harris Faces Online Backlash After Usher Endorsement Amid Diddy Controversy

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.

"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.

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.

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.