Barbra Streisand lent her support to Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday, becoming the latest in a series of high-profile stars and celebrities who have coalesced around her candidacy since President Biden endorsed her as his successor.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris ushered this nation out of the Trump chaos,” she said in a statement to The New York Times on Monday. “I’m so grateful to President Biden and so excited to support Kamala Harris. She will work to restore women’s reproductive freedom and continue with the accomplishments begun in the Biden-Harris administration.”
Ms. Streisand praised Mr. Biden as “an honorable and compassionate leader” and called former President Donald J. Trump “a convicted felon” and a “pathological liar” who had been found liable for sexual assault and who had “incited an insurrection against our democracy.”
Endorsements from Hollywood’s most recognizable figures can add cultural cache to candidates, and have traditionally helped campaigns raise money, turn out crowds at rallies and generate excitement on social media. Some campaigns have been leery of appearing too close to celebrities, fearing accusations of elitism. Both parties seek them; at the Republican National Convention last week, Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock and Dana White were among the celebrities supporting Mr. Trump.
Since Mr. Biden announced he would not seek re-election, some stars have praised his decision, others have gotten behind Ms. Harris, and a few who made their views know earlier in the cycle have stayed quiet. Here’s a look at where some notable names in Hollywood now stand:
George Clooney
Mr. Clooney’s essay in The New York Times this month calling on Mr. Biden to not seek re-election rattled the Biden team and dealt a highly visible blow to the campaign at a particularly vulnerable moment, underscoring the power that stars can wield.
A spokesman for Mr. Clooney said on Monday that the actor was not commenting on the latest developments in the race.
Spike Lee
Mr. Lee posted a photo of Ms. Harris on Sunday filled with emojis and the caption “ONCE AGAIN A SISTA COMES TO DA RESCUE.”
Mark Hamill
The actor, best known for portraying Luke Skywalker, stopped by the White House around May the 4th and has been a vocal Biden supporter. He praised Ms. Harris on Monday as “the candidate who will both honor & further his legacy.”
John Legend
The singer-songwriter has long kept up with politics and performed at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. He posted a message on social media on Sunday saying that Mr. Biden had shown “grace and patriotism” by stepping aside, adding that he was “so ready” to “elect Kamala Harris as our President.”
“She’s ready for this fight and I’m excited to help her in any way I can,” he said.
Robert De Niro
The actor narrated an ad for the Biden campaign and has served as a surrogate for the campaign, at one point showing up outside a Manhattan courthouse where Mr. Trump was on trial to troll the former president.
In a statement to The Times on Monday, Mr. De Niro called Mr. Biden’s decision to step aside “an act of shrewd politics and selfless patriotism.”
“There is nothing more important for our country than defeating Donald Trump at the ballot box,” added Mr. De Niro, who did not name Ms. Harris.
Wendell Pierce
The screen and stage actor came out early for Ms. Harris just hours after Mr. Biden endorsed her. “Tonight, I’m joining millions of Americans, by following President Biden’s lead, and fully support and endorse the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as our nominee for President of the United States,” he wrote.
Aaron Sorkin
The “West Wing” creator and writer published a guest essay in The Times before Mr. Biden’s announcement arguing that the Democratic Party should pick a Republican, specifically Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, as its nominee.
After Mr. Biden said he was stepping aside, the West Wing actor Joshua Malina shared a screenshot from Mr. Sorkin on social media. “I take it all back,” Mr. Sorkin said in the screenshot, which was confirmed by his publicist. “Harris for America!”
Lizzo
The pop star posted a video in which she criticized “discourse” about Ms. Harris having done little as a vice president as “tired.” She argued that Mr. Biden did not face similar critique when he ran for president as a former second in command.
Rosie O’Donnell
The comedian and actor, who has publicly feuded with Mr. Trump for years, expressed her support for Ms. Harris.
Jamie Lee Curtis
The actress was quick out of the gate to back Ms. Harris. “Numbers too big to ignore!” she wrote on social media. “Women. Minorities. LGBTQ+IA. We still have a CHOICE with Kamala Harris. TRUSTED. TESTED. TOUGH.”
Alyssa Milano
The actor and activist has fired off several posts on social media in support of Ms. Harris within the past 24 hours.
Jon Stewart
The late-night host posted a single word on social media on Sunday afternoon in an apparent reference to Mr. Biden: “Legend.”
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