As the 2024 election approaches, the political divide in the US is sharper than ever. Key issues like economic inequality, climate change, and healthcare are at the forefront, keeping voters focused on the candidates and their plans.
The race for this year’s presidency is looking like it is heating up when assessing US Election betting odds. Recent polls show nine per cent of Republicans may vote for Kamala Harris, up from five percent in September, indicating a shift across party lines.
Despite this, Donald Trump leads in four out of seven key swing states, with no more than a two-point margin in any, making the race still incredibly tight.
Trump, who remains a key figure in US politics, served as president from 2016 to 2020. The 78-year-old is vying for a return to the White House, bringing with him the celebrity-fuelled aura that surrounded his previous campaign.
Trump’s political rise followed years of media exposure. Initially a real estate tycoon, he gained fame as the host of NBC’s The Apprentice, becoming a familiar face on TV.
His cameos in Home Alone 2 and Sex and the City boosted his celebrity, as did appearances at WrestleMania with the WWE. By the 2016 election, Trump leveraged this status, positioning himself as an outsider ready to “drain the swamp,” which resonated with voters disillusioned by Washington politics.
While Trump’s transformation from a TV celebrity to the US president has been unprecedented, other famous figures have also tried their hand at running for the highest office in the land, albeit with less success.
In this article, we look at three notable celebrities who attempted to become president.
Kanye West (2020)
Kanye West, the Grammy-winning rapper and fashion designer, stunned the world when he announced his run for president in the 2020 election.
Known for his hits like Stronger and Gold Digger, West’s fame skyrocketed in the early 2000s as one of the most influential and polarising figures in music and pop culture.
West’s presidential campaign, however, was fraught with confusion and controversy. Running under the banner of the “Birthday Party,” he campaigned on a platform that focused on faith, anti-abortion policies, and reforming the criminal justice system.
Although his bid was seen by many as erratic and poorly organised, West managed to appear on the ballot in 12 states and received over 60,000 votes, turning some heads in the political betting scene.
While far from a serious challenge to the major candidates, his foray into politics showcased the power that an influencer can have on the political landscape.
Roseanne Barr (2012)
Roseanne Barr, best known for her 1990s hit TV show Roseanne, ventured into politics in 2012, launching a presidential bid with the Green Party.
Although she lost the party’s nomination, she ran under the Peace and Freedom Party, advocating for socialism, feminism, and environmentalism. Appearing on ballots in several states, Barr garnered about 67,000 votes in the general election.
Her campaign, while not a major challenge to mainstream candidates, showcased her anti-establishment views and desire to shake up the political landscape.
Pat Paulsen (1968-1996)
Although Pat Paulsen’s campaigns were satirical, he consistently ran for president in multiple election cycles and gained media attention.
While Paulsen was never serious about winning, his humorous “campaigns” spanned several election cycles, with his first bid coming in 1968, consisting of his dry wit and comedic monologues.
Paulsen “ran” for president in almost every election until 1996, often issuing absurd promises and nonsensical platforms that lampooned real political discourse.
Despite the comedic nature of his campaigns, Paulsen’s efforts reflected the frustration many Americans felt with the political establishment. He even appeared on some state ballots, making him one of the most memorable celebrity “candidates” in US history.
