Biden and Jimmy Kimmel’s Theater of the Absurd

When you’re in a bad situation, you often seek out help. Most people visit friends; some visit therapists. Unpopular politicians, by contrast, get close to celebrities — hoping some of their stardom will rub off onto them, and cure the ailment of public dislike. Recall Donald Trump’s inane meeting with Kanye West in 2018 and, later, his roundtable with Kim Kardashian on criminal-justice reform — both times when his approval ratings were around 40 percent. Hillary Clinton, similarly, marshaled the whole of Hollywood to her campaign in 2016 and was joined by Jay-Z and Beyonce at a massive concert a few nights before Election Day.

For politicians, however, rarely do these crass attempts to share in celebrity appeal work. Trump’s approval ratings didn’t improve with either Kanye or Kimmy K in the Oval Office. As for Hillary, no amount of star power could save her doomed campaign.

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Arjun Singh

Arjun Singh is an editorial intern at National Review.

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When you’re in a bad situation, you often seek out help. Most people visit friends; some visit therapists. Unpopular politicians, by contrast, get close to celebrities — hoping some of their stardom will rub off onto them, and cure the ailment of public dislike. Recall Donald Trump’s inane meeting with Kanye West in 2018 and, later, his roundtable with Kim Kardashian on criminal-justice reform — both times when his approval ratings were around 40 percent. Hillary Clinton, similarly, marshaled the whole of Hollywood to her campaign in 2016 and was joined by Jay-Z and Beyonce at a massive concert a few nights before Election Day.

For politicians, however, rarely do these crass attempts to share in celebrity appeal work. Trump’s approval ratings didn’t improve with either Kanye or Kimmy K in the Oval Office. As for Hillary, no amount of star power could save her doomed campaign.