Why Trump’s Victory Shows Hollywood’s Star Power Just Isn’t Enough Anymore. The Subtle How

By Emmanuel Paa Kwesi Owusu – Digital Business Transformation | Head of Digital, Citi FM & Channel One TV | Brand Strategy | Akora | Consumer Behaviour |

Former President Donald Trump has defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, marking a historic moment for American democracy as he secures a return to the White House. Trump’s projected win in battleground Wisconsin pushed him past the 270 electoral vote threshold, giving him 276 votes as counts continue in other key states. This victory marks his comeback to the nation’s highest office, four years after losing the 2020 election, attempting to overturn the results, enduring two impeachments, a criminal conviction, and facing numerous other criminal charges. With this win, Trump will become only the second president in U.S. history to serve two nonconsecutive terms.

I’m not a political analyst, and this isn’t a post to stir up debates over policy or undermine anyone’s feelings about the election results. But as someone deeply interested in how audiences connect and who holds influence, I can’t ignore the subtle yet significant shift this election highlighted. Trump’s win showed us something crucial: traditional celebrity endorsements might be losing their grip, especially when weighed against the power of relatable, community-driven influencers.

Kamala Harris’s campaign did what we’ve seen work before. Hollywood rolled out the red carpet in her favor, much like it did for Barack Obama’s historic 2008 campaign. Back then, celebrities like George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, and Beyoncé weren’t just endorsing him; they were helping him break ground in American politics, making Obama’s campaign feel fresh, modern, and hopeful. This time, the same approach was taken, with figures like Paul Rudd, Harrison Ford, and Beyoncé joining Harris’s team. Hollywood’s brightest came out in force. And yet, it didn’t work the same way.

The difference lies in a shift that has been brewing for years, a shift from star-studded endorsements to more grounded, relatable figures who’ve built their own communities. In the age of social media, the definition of a “celebrity” has transformed. Today’s influential figures are just as likely to be podcasters, YouTubers, and independent creators as they are Hollywood actors or Grammy winners. People like Joe Rogan, Jake Paul, Theo Von, and Dave Ramsey represent this new era. They’re not up on a pedestal. They’re in the feed, on the screen, and, most importantly, in the ears of their audience every single day.

The Evolution of Influence

These new influencers aren’t famous for their acting skills or their stage performances; they’re famous for the genuine communities they’ve created around them. Rogan, for example, commands a massive audience not because he’s performing, but because he’s having real, often unfiltered conversations that millions tune into. He’s approachable, relatable, and, in many ways, seems accessible in a way that traditional celebrities don’t. There’s no team of handlers, no carefully crafted image, no red carpet; it’s just Rogan, the mic, and a conversation.

Contrast this with the approach Harris’s campaign took. While the Hollywood endorsements generated buzz, they ultimately came across as distanced from the everyday voter. Harris had stars; Trump had personalities who felt like “real” people, people who engage with their audience directly and personally. He went where the attention is in 2024 — not on the glitzy red carpets, but on the podcasts and social channels where so many now spend their time.

Election night hammered this home. I heard voters repeatedly saying, “I’m here because of Joe Rogan.” Trump had effectively tapped into the spaces where conversations are already happening, where audiences already feel a sense of community and belonging. Not once did I hear, “I’m here because Paul Rudd endorsed Harris.”

From Performance to Presence

What we’re witnessing is a shift from performing to presence. Traditional celebrities can rally their fan base, but often from a distance. They’re on screen, they’re unreachable. Meanwhile, the new-age influencers are right there, in the comments section, on live streams, creating an atmosphere of accessibility. This shift makes traditional celebrity endorsements seem, if not obsolete, at least less impactful than they once were.

For Content Creators: Fame Isn’t the Goal — Connection Is

For anyone building a personal brand or seeking to grow an audience, there’s a clear takeaway here: fame isn’t the currency it used to be. What matters today is connection. Being “Instagram-famous” isn’t like having Monopoly money, something that looks good but lacks real-world value. Today, there’s tangible impact in connecting with your audience authentically and consistently. Fame is less about looking good for the masses and more about showing up and talking to the people who follow you.

The deeper message here isn’t about why Harris lost or why Trump won; it’s about where influence is heading. And that influence comes from community. Joe Rogan, Jake Paul, and Dave Ramsey aren’t just internet personalities; they’re people their audiences feel they know, people who share, show up, and speak directly to their followers.

A Missed Opportunity for Connection

Now, I’m not saying the election hinged solely on this, but there’s no denying it made an impact. A campaign that says it’s “for all people” but doesn’t show up where people are actually tuned in creates a gap that’s easy for an opponent to exploit. If you’re not present in the spaces where everyday conversations happen, you risk looking like an outsider, someone in an echo chamber far from the people you claim to represent.

In today’s landscape, where every social media post, every podcast, every live-streamed conversation can bring a candidate or brand closer to their audience, relying solely on traditional celebrity clout is like choosing a landline in a world of smartphones. It misses the immediacy and intimacy that people now expect.

The Bottom Line

Trump’s victory reminds us that influence isn’t about looking good from a distance. It’s about being close, being present, and showing up every day. As content creators, as brands, and even as politicians, that’s the kind of influence that truly resonates.