With less than a month before the US election, celebrities and politicians alike are taking their sides and making their voices heard. Two of the latest to express sentiments include rocker Bruce Springsteen and Britain’s bookmakers, albeit in fiercely contrasting opinions.
Often referred to as “The Boss,” Springsteen did not mince words with his recent comments on President Donald Trump. Echoing a sentiment expressed by many critics, Springsteen accused Trump of being a dictator during a recent conversation on his SiriusXM radio show. Springsteen, who has been open about his Democratic leanings and previously vocalized support for Joe Biden, emphasized on his statement, “The power of the American idea has been abandoned. It’s a terrible shame, and we need a new President.”
While Springsteen condemns Trump, his fervor has done little to impact Britain’s bookmakers, who currently favor Trump to win the forthcoming election. Brexit and the shock results of the 2016 American election have instilled caution in bookmakers, leading some to believe that Trump’s election performance could exceed expectations, as it did in 2016.
In more recent developments, the Harris campaign released an advertisement that prominently featured comments about Trump made by former Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly. These audio clips, obtained by The New York Times and broadcast earlier this week, reveal Kelly’s scathing remarks about the President. The commercial, which is currently being aired on television and digital platforms across battleground states, caps with the text, “Donald Trump is unhinged.”
The term ‘unhinged’ seems to be an increasing common term in the political discourse surrounding the President, as opponents question his erratic behavior, his handling of the COVID-19 crisis, and his indecisiveness on white supremacy.
While celebrity endorsements and attacks are a standard part of the U.S. election season, the stakes in the 2020 election seem higher than usual. Springsteen’s latest comments reflect an increasingly popular opinion among prominent celebrities and musicians such as Taylor Swift and The Rock, who have publicly endorsed Joe Biden.
However, it seems that the sentiments of celebrities are not swaying the bookmakers off the pond. Taking into account the surprises of past elections, bookmakers are acknowledging the possibility of hidden Trump supporters similar to Brexit’s “Shy Tory Factor”.
As November draws closer and the last of the presidential and vice presidential debates are conducted, these remarks from Springsteen and the odds presented by British bookmakers paint a contradictory image of the current state of the election – a testament to the unpredictability of the political climate surrounding this year’s Presidential race.
Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: As citizens head to the ballots, the global impact of this election will be felt far beyond the borders of the United States. Voters aren’t just making a decision for their own country, but one which will have repercussions for societies all around the world. With this in mind, the world watches and waits.
