After the November 3 election, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) promised: “First we’re going to win Georgia, then we’ll change America.” Both will take a lot of money and leading the charge with their wallets are Hollywood celebrities, who are donating generously to Georgia’s Democratic Senate candidates.
A-list stars including George Clooney, Will Smith, Joaquin Phoenix, and Leonardo DiCaprio are pouring cash into Georgia’s runoff elections, hoping to push Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock across the finish line, thereby flipping the Senate blue.
US actor Joaquin Phoenix poses during a photocall for the French movie “Les Freres Sisters” on September 4, 2018, as part of the 44th Deauville US Film Festival of Deauville, north western France. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
US actor Leonardo DiCaprio arrives for the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2020, at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (ALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Clooney has donated $10,000 to the Georgie Federal Election Committee while Smith has given close to $4,000 to the same group, according to Federal Election Commission data. The Hill first reported the donations, noting that Clooney maxed out on his donation back in June.
The Hill reported Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Joaquin Phoenix are backing Warnock with donations, while Jason Bateman, Mandy Moore, Patricia Arquette and Bradley Whitford have donated to Ossoff.
Leonardo DiCaprio recently tweeted his support for Georgia Democrats, specifically citing Stacey Abrams, who has been the key force in rallying support for the party’s candidates.
“It can be undone just as quickly and as effectively as we did it.” – @StaceyAbrams on finishing the job in #Georgia. https://t.co/Ce4TfyjRa5
👉https://t.co/2kQkh8IlXA— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) November 22, 2020
Their contributions come as actors Kumail Nanjiani and Sophia Bush are spearheading WinBothSeats, a Georgia initiative designed to raise money for “black and brown” community organizers whose job is to get out the minority vote for Democrats. Bush announced over the weekend that their effort has raised nearly $1.5M in just ten days.
We’re about to hit $1.5M raised for #Georgia in just 10 days! @WinBothSeats just received a $25K matching grant. Donate here and your support will be doubled!! Let’s elect progressives and make moves! https://t.co/VidFCd38YJ pic.twitter.com/9eP5XOVwyp
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) November 22, 2020
Other celebrities who are whipping up social media momentum for the Democratic challengers include Alyssa Milano, Chelsea Handler, and Debra Messing.
None of these stars lives in Georgia or hails for the Peach state, which could have a negative carpetbagging effect.
“Celebrities are extremely helpful, they do play a role. But they’re oftentimes not viewed as credible sources,” Laura Young, an assistant professor of political science at Georgia Gwinnett College, told The Hill.
“Particularly if you’re on the right end of the political spectrum, Hollywood elites are looked at as the liberal left, coming to Georgia and imposing their politics and their political views on individuals.”
Georgia’s runoffs are set to take place January 5. Republicans Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler are looking to defend their seats against the challengers. State Republicans are warning that if the Senate turns blue, Democrats will create open borders and give illegals aliens the right to vote.
“When the radicals say ‘change America,’ they mean: opening the border and allowing illegal immigrants voting,” Georgia Republicans tweeted.
When the radicals say “change America,” they mean: opening the border and allowing illegal immigrants voting.
Georgia, go vote, because if you don’t, illegal immigrants will. pic.twitter.com/az2pKjnhNr
— GAGOP (@GaRepublicans) November 23, 2020
Polls show both Senate races are virtually tied at the moment, with undecided voters likely to determine the outcome.
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