Everyone wants Taylor Swift's vote. But celebrity endorsements are complicated.

There’s been a lot of wishful thinking lately about who Taylor Swift might endorse for President.

"You cannot make this up!" said TikToker Johnny Palmadessa in one of the many hopeful — if not fact-based — social media videos posted recently. "Taylor Swift is getting ready to endorse Kamala Harris!"

And Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump reposted an AI-generated image of the pop star wearing an Uncle Sam outfit, in which he accepted her seeming endorsement of his campaign. The post appeared on the politician's Truth Social network earlier this week. (He's since denied he knows anything about the images.)

In reality, Swift has not endorsed Trump or any other candidate in this election cycle so far.

But other celebrities have already come out in support of Harris and Trump in the run-up to the November election.

"The best chance we have to give our babies a better life is to elect Donald Trump President of the United States," said Amber Rose in a speech at the Republican National Convention.

Meanwhile, Megan Thee Stallion shared her enthusiasm for Kamala Harris in a performance at a recent rally. "We’re about to make history with the first female president!" she said.

Why celebrity endorsements matter

Celebrity endorsements are as much a thing in politics as they are in consumer products.

"Celebrities draw increased engagement, increased attention, and they increase conversation," said Ashley Spillane, the author of a new study from Harvard’s Kennedy School on celebrity engagement in politics — focusing on civic participation. "And no matter the political party or the candidate, there is a real hunger to be affiliated with the celebrities that can do that."

Spillane said her research shows you don’t have to