In the weeks leading up to the Democratic National Convention, the excitement for the party’s new ticket—Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz—infused their campaign events with renewed vigor. Some events featured music by Beyoncé, creating an atmosphere that felt almost like a concert, with attendees dancing enthusiastically.
At the convention this week in Chicago, this vibrant energy continued with a dynamic set by DJ Cassidy, which included a surprise appearance by rapper Lil Jon. Adding to the lively atmosphere were friendship bracelets, a summer-camp tradition now embraced by Taylor Swift fans and reimagined by many Democrats as a symbol of community.
On Wednesday, the day Governor Walz delivered his prime-time speech, his 23-year-old daughter Hope was seen sporting friendship bracelets. The day before, Kari Breker, a 41-year-old delegate from North Dakota, wore a collection of bracelets she had made with fellow delegates. These colorful accessories featured beads with messages like “Kamala,” “North Dakota 4 Harris,” “Kamala 2024,” “we choose freedom,” and “we are not going back.”
Breker, from Fargo, N.D., expressed support for President Biden but admitted that friendship bracelets wouldn’t have resonated for him. However, she noted that when Kamala Harris entered the race after Biden’s withdrawal, “the energy got way higher.” She described the bracelets as tapping into “this female power that Taylor Swift brings out in women, which Kamala is also clearly inspiring in women and girls.”
