Carole King Speaks (And Sings “Shake It Off”) On Swifties For Kamala Organizing Call; Group Raises $122K

Dessi Gomez
·3 min read
7

Singer-songwriter Carole King joined the Swifties for Kamala organizing call Tuesday to encourage attendees to get involved in door-knocking and more to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 presidential election.

Calls throughout the Zoom asked for $19.89 and $13 donations to the campaign. The group has no official affiliations with Swift.

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“I’ve been a political activist for years. I’ve been a volunteer, I’ve been a door knocker, even as a famous person,” King said on the Zoom call. “It’s always important to know your opening line. Mine was ‘Hi, I want to talk to you about what is important to you in your life and what do you want for your future? ‘ The key to door-knocking is asking a good question and then listening.”

King also encouraged the over 27,000 attendees to make a connection.

“If they’re a little ambivalent about Kamala, here’s a great bridge-builder because you’re there to build a bridge. The bridge builder is “Well, what do you think you and Kamala might agree on? And then you listen, but you see how it works. Don’t be afraid because there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. There’s too much at stake.”

RELATED: CNN Lands Kamala Harris-Tim Walz Interview, Their First Since Becoming New Democratic Ticket

At the end of her speech, King honored Swift, who she called her “musical and songwriting granddaughter” by singing the chorus to “Shake It Off.” Swift had previously inducted King into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a cover of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.”

Other speakers on the call included Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and more. Each guest made sure to sneak lyrical puns and references into their speeches with the help of staff writers.

Markey took the climate change angle to say that the environmental problem is threatening the shores of Swift’s Holiday House in Rhode Island. He also said that Trump will “stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror.”

He also echoed Balint’s comment of “I never trust a narcissist” in reference to Trump.

RELATED: Nick Offerman Taunts “F*cking D*ck” Trump In ‘Proud To Be A Kamala Man’ Fundraiser Song

“We gave our work ahead of us to defeat this anti-hero wannabe, or as I like to call him, ‘Mr. Casually Cruel, Mr. Everything Revolves Around You.’ Karma is the Swifties on my screen, ready for GOTV (Get Out the Vote),” Markey said. “Instead of clowning for the release of Reputation (Taylor’s Version), we should be pounding on doors to get out the vote.”

As a reward for raising $70,000, the Swifties for Kamala group launched a first merch drop that combines voting for Kamala and Taylor Swift. The merchandise was made by Shop Social Goods. They went on to raise $100,000, $113,000 and finally $122,000.

The call ended with an incentive of making plans to vote and encouraging people to get friends and family to vote for a better chance at winning four stage-side floor tickets to an Eras Tour show in Toronto after the election.

RELATED: Democratic National Convention Audience Grows To 26.2M Viewers On Final Night As Kamala Harris Accepts Nomination

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