With President Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential election and Vice President Kamala Harris assuming the role of the likely Democratic candidate, it is imperative that she  campaigns quickly and strongly. However, Harris’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination has been massively supported by Gen Z, and, more specifically, Charli XCX fans. 

On June 7, 2024, Charli XCX released her album Brat which garnered international attention and achieved chart-topping success. While the term “Brat” is often used to describe a spoiled and disrespectful child, Charli XCX has redefined the word to symbolize embracing individuality and being unapologetically oneself. The concept of “Brat” has resonated with Gen Z, leading to the summer of 2024 being referred to as “Brat Summer.”

Now, what does Charli XCX and her new album have anything to do with Vice President Kamala Harris and her bid for the presidency? Following Harris’s announcement of her candidacy, Charli XCX posted on X (formerly twitter) stating, “Kamala is Brat,” seemingly endorsing her for president. Brilliantly, the Harris campaign strategically embraced this endorsement by not only reposting Charli XCX’s tweet but also incorporating her album’s distinctive green color and typeface into its social media profiles, alongside “Brat-themed content.”

Since Charli XCX’s tweet and Harris’s utilization of “Brat” content, pairing Harris videos and quotes with Brat music and imagery has taken off all over social media. While this pairing may seem silly and general social media entertainment, it is massively beneficial to the Harris Campaign.

Kamala Harris is now not only gaining support and attention from younger first-time voters, but she is also being painted in a different light than most politicians. The US might see the largest number of young voters between 18-24 hit the polls this November. People are able to realize that she can be serious and presidential, as shown through interviews and experience, but she can also have fun, seen through how she and her media team are embracing “brat summer.”