Michelle Obama is going all-out to energize Democratic voters in support of Kamala Harris’s campaign, with a series of celebrity-backed events designed to boost voter turnout in crucial swing states. Through her organization When We All Vote and its “Party at the Polls” program, the former first lady is pulling out the stops, bringing in headliners like Cardi B, Jill Scott, and Earth, Wind & Fire for a two-day concert in Atlanta. Tickets and flights to the concert are up for grabs in a sweepstakes, enticing registered voters in battleground states.
The outreach effort extends across the nation, with actor Mark Ruffalo leading a 5K walk in Arizona and RuPaul’s Drag Race alums hosting “Drag Out the Vote” shows in Phoenix and Las Vegas. The program also features block parties in Philadelphia, celebrating early voting and encouraging people to cast their ballots before Election Day.
Michelle’s efforts come days after former President Barack Obama joined the campaign trail, making a spirited appearance in Pittsburgh. Known for his powerful rallying skills, Obama took aim at Donald Trump, painting him as “out-of-touch” and critical of his time in office. In a controversial moment, he joked about Trump’s age, quipping that Trump might be in need of adult diapers, which drew mixed reactions on social media.
Obama has also turned his focus to areas where Harris needs a boost, including the economy and immigration, reminding voters that the economic growth under Trump was “his economy,” a result of policies from Obama’s administration. Addressing reports that some Black male voters are hesitant to back Harris, Obama didn’t hold back. At a Pittsburgh campaign office, he directly appealed to Black men, calling out the lack of enthusiasm compared to his own campaigns, and challenged their resistance to supporting a female presidential candidate.
With polling showing Harris in a tight race with Trump, every vote in swing states matters, and Michelle’s high-profile events are designed to make voting feel like a celebration. As early voting ramps up, When We All Vote aims to turn out a diverse coalition of supporters, banking on the influence of stars and Obama’s continued popularity to give Harris the boost she needs.
