*The perceived end of Vice President Kamala Harris‘ “honeymoon period” was starkly put into focus as the Democratic Party grappled with a maelstrom of gossip and backlash over a purported Beyoncé performance at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) Thursday evening. Viewers, who tuned in with the hope of seeing the iconic pop star, were left disappointed as the highly-anticipated appearance never materialized.
The chaos began when Emmy Ruiz, the White House political director, posted a bee emoji on X (formerly Twitter), stirring speculation that Beyoncé might grace the convention with a performance. This speculation was only fanned by former Obama staffer Tommy Vietor, who responded enthusiastically to the tweet, almost confirming the false narrative. The frenzy reached even the security personnel at the DNC venue, Chicago’s United Center, who were abuzz with gossip about the rumored appearance.
Inside the venue, expectations were high. Oregon delegate Stephanie Newton-Azorr echoed a common sentiment when she predicted a performance of Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” a song closely associated with Harris’s campaign.
“I know she can mobilize her fan base and help turn out the vote,” Newton-Azorr said. “People listen to Beyoncé. They listen when she speaks,” The Hill reported.
The song “Freedom” indeed played as Kamala Harris took the stage for her pivotal 45-minute speech, continuing its role as a campaign anthem. Despite the absence of a live performance, its presence was a reminder of the power music holds in political movements.
Adding fuel to the fire, Jamie Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, did little to extinguish the rumors earlier in the week, when he declined to confirm or deny Beyoncé’s potential appearance. He hinted casually, “Every day, she’s in here singing Freedom – at least we hear it across the intercom.”
Even the entertainment website TMZ reported the superstar’s supposed presence in Chicago, stirring excitement until the very last moment. This did not help matters as it laid the groundwork for an inevitable letdown.
Organizers later clarified to CNN that the lack of a celebrity performance was a deliberate decision to ensure that Harris’s message remained at the forefront, unclouded by the fanfare of a superstar’s presence.
Rumors reached a boiling point not just in terms of public disappointment but also legal implications. The controversy over the song “Freedom” extended into the political realm when Donald Trump’s campaign used it in a social media video, prompting Beyoncé’s legal team to take swift action, forcing its removal.
Though some have labeled this incident as an indication of the end of Harris’s honeymoon period, it seems unlikely to derail her campaign significantly. The use of “Freedom” during her speech symbolizes unity and resilience, two themes she is relying on to propel her forward.
Ultimately, while the Beyoncé controversy is an inconvenient bump in the road, it is not expected to cause lasting damage. Campaigns often weather such missteps, focusing on the broader message rather than the hype of an anticipated but unrealized celebrity spectacle.
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