Martha Stewart gives subtle presidential endorsement

Sep 13, 2024 at 9:28 PM

Martha Stewart's Surprising Political Shift: From Neutral to Vocal Supporter of Kamala Harris

In a surprising turn of events, Martha Stewart, the renowned businesswoman and lifestyle icon, has announced her support for Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. This marks a significant shift from her previous stance of remaining neutral during the 2020 election cycle.

Unveiling a New Political Allegiance: Martha Stewart's Endorsement of Kamala Harris

Breaking the Silence: Martha Stewart's Political Awakening

After years of maintaining a neutral stance on political matters, Martha Stewart has decided to publicly endorse Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. This decision comes as a surprise to many, as the 83-year-old businesswoman had previously expressed a desire to remain apolitical to avoid alienating her diverse readership.However, during a recent interview with Joanna Coles of The Daily Beast at the 2024 Retail Influencer CEO Forum, Stewart revealed her reasons for supporting Harris. She highlighted the stark contrast between the current vice president and her former rival, Donald Trump, stating that unlike Trump, Harris "doesn't hate New York" and "doesn't hate democracy."

A Shift in Priorities: Martha Stewart's Evolving Political Stance

Stewart's endorsement of Harris represents a significant shift in her political priorities. In the past, the lifestyle icon had been reluctant to take a firm stance on political issues, citing her desire to remain neutral for the sake of her magazine, Martha Stewart Living. However, it appears that the events of the past few years have compelled her to reevaluate her position and take a more active role in the political landscape.During her interview with Coles, Stewart acknowledged the challenges she faced in navigating the political divide, stating, "In terms of being the owner of the magazine, how do you take sides when 50 percent of your readers might be on one side, and 50 percent on the other?" Despite these concerns, she ultimately decided that her support for Harris was more important than maintaining a neutral stance.

A Renewed Rivalry: The Complicated History Between Martha Stewart and Donald Trump

The relationship between Martha Stewart and Donald Trump has been a complex one, marked by a long-standing feud that dates back to their time as rivals on the reality TV series "The Apprentice." In 2006, both Stewart and Trump hosted versions of the show, with Stewart believing that she would ultimately "fire" Trump and take over as the sole host.However, Trump decided to continue hosting the show, leading to a public dispute between the two. In an open letter, Trump criticized Stewart's performance, stating that her "show lacked mood, temperament and just about everything a show needs for success." This feud continued for several years, with both parties taking jabs at each other in the media.Despite their tumultuous history, Stewart's endorsement of Harris suggests that her political allegiances have shifted significantly since Trump's election victory in 2016. While she initially wished the Trump family well, it appears that her views on the former president have since changed, leading her to actively support his political opponent.

A Subtle but Powerful Endorsement: Martha Stewart's Approach to Political Advocacy

In her interview with Coles, Stewart revealed that she plans to "keep quiet" about her political opinions beyond her endorsement of Harris. This approach is in line with her previous stance of maintaining a neutral public persona, as she expressed concerns about the potential backlash from her parent company's "eyeballs" if she were to be more vocal about her political views.However, despite her desire to remain relatively low-key, Stewart's endorsement of Harris carries significant weight. As a respected and influential figure in the business and lifestyle communities, her support for the vice president could sway the opinions of her vast network of followers and readers.Moreover, Stewart's decision to endorse Harris during a high-profile event like the 2024 Retail Influencer CEO Forum suggests that she is willing to use her platform to advocate for the candidates and policies she believes in. While she may not be as outspoken as some other public figures, her subtle but powerful endorsement could have a meaningful impact on the 2024 presidential race.