Bethenny Frankel criticizes Kamala Harris' celebrity-fueled campaign strategy

Bethenny Frankel, former star of The Real Housewives of New York City, has called out Vice President Kamala Harris for relying heavily on celebrity endorsements during her 2024 presidential campaign. Frankel argued that this approach alienated everyday voters and may have contributed to Harris' loss to Donald Trump.

Frankel, known for her sharp opinions, shared her thoughts in a candid Instagram video, stating, "I genuinely don't think aligning with celebrities is a good idea. The American public doesn't care who's mingling with A-listers it's tempting, it's shiny, but it's not effective."

The 54-year-old SkinnyGirl founder also criticized the elitist attitudes she believes dominate celebrity culture. "I've been around so many people who think their vote matters more because of their wealth or education, and it just doesn't work that way," she added.

Frankel's comments sparked widespread debate, with many agreeing that Harris' celebrity-backed events felt out of touch with voters struggling with real-world issues like inflation and rising rent costs.

Celebrity endorsements fall flat

Despite securing support from mega-stars like Taylor Swift,Beyonc?, and Cardi B-whose combined social media reach exceeds 2 billion followers-Harris' campaign struggled to translate online buzz into voter turnout. Events featuring performances by Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and impassioned speeches by icons like Beyonc? failed to "move the needle," Frankel observed.

Celebrity endorsements have lost their influence," she declared. "It's a spinning wheel, it's useless, it's a flex, and it doesn't accomplish anything.

Social media reactions mirrored Frankel's sentiments. Comments like "People living paycheck to paycheck don't need advice from out-of-touch celebs" highlighted a growing disconnect between political campaigns and everyday voters.

Harris' campaign fallout

Harris, who conceded the election from Howard University, expressed gratitude to her supporters but made no reference to her campaign's reliance on star power. Meanwhile, Trump secured 295 electoral votes and a majority of the popular vote, solidifying his victory.

Frankel's critique raises questions about the effectiveness of celebrity-driven campaigns in modern politics. As voter priorities shift, candidates may need to rethink how they engage with the public beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.