Critics Claim Harry and Meghan’s Political Comments Are a Veiled Attempt to Influence US Elections
Harry and Meghan’s recent remarks on the US presidential election have been criticized as a thinly veiled effort to “harvest” votes for Kamala Harris and appeal to the “woke Hollywood elite.” Greg Swenson, Chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, stated that the couple’s actions contradict their claims of political neutrality, arguing that their encouragement to vote essentially supports Harris.
Swenson remarked, “They can’t help themselves. By encouraging people to vote, they are essentially ballot harvesting for Kamala.” He likened their influence to a person alone in a car with a Covid mask, suggesting their intentions are clear without needing explicit endorsements.
In the 2020 election, while Harry and Meghan did not endorse a candidate, they urged Americans to participate, calling it the “most important election of our lifetime.” Meghan even engaged in cold-calling efforts to motivate voters.
This proactive stance was widely interpreted as a nod toward supporting Joe Biden, a sentiment echoed by Donald Trump, who expressed his disapproval of Meghan and noted that Harry would need luck in America.
Now, with just two months until the upcoming election, their Archewell Foundation has been reaching out to unregistered voters with personalized letters emphasizing that “every voice matters,” all while maintaining their stance of political neutrality without mentioning specific candidates.
Experts have said that Harry will ‘fear’ a Trump victory because the Republican nominee has been clear that the British royal could be deported from the US if he lied about taking drugs on his American visa application.
But Greg Swenson believes that their latest political intervention will not influence Americans, but may ingratiate themselves with the ‘Hollywood woke elites’ they wish to impress.
‘Every move Harry and Meghan make is carefully orchestrated to keep them popular among their circle of elites. Most woke Hollywood elites are voting for Kamala – but I’m surprised they haven’t outright endorsed her’, he said.
‘The only thing left for her to do now is to run for office.
‘I don’t think they would move the needle – they are known as woke celebrities. I don’t think there is any mystery regarding their views that are consistent with the progressive left (Kamala). The voters who like Harry and Meghan would probably vote Kamala anyway. I don’t think they would change anyone’s vote’.
Investigative journalist and biographer of the couple, Tom Bower, told MailOnline it is another attempt to get ‘noticed’ – and a sign that Meghan’s political ambitions are not dead.
Ms Markle is said to have approached California Governor Gavin Newsom about whether he would support her replacing Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Mr Bower said: ‘Ambitious to be famous and influential, Meghan Markle yearns to belong to the American political establishment, especially the Democrat party.
‘Soon after returning to California in 2020, she approached California’s governor seeking an opportunity to secure nomination to a political post, not least as a candidate for Congress.
‘However, her endorsement of Biden against Trump in 2020 ended in disaster. Harry’s silly contribution to urge Americans to vote was ridiculed because he was a foreigner who was ignorant about American politics.
‘And Trump’s retaliation was fierce. If elected, he threatened to kick Harry out of America. Not surprisingly, the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es are now more cautious. They can’t resist giving an opinion – and Meghan has not given up her political ambitions – but they rightly fear Trump’s election.
‘Their anodyne message that Americans should vote will be ignored across America but feeds their self-importance, and gets them noticed in Britain, an important marker for Harry’.
The statement has also not gone unnoticed with American academics in the UK.
Thomas Gift, Professor of Political Science at University College London, said unlike other stars, the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es are trying not to be controversial after the row over their backing of Joe Biden.
He said: ‘Unlike Taylor Swift and many other high-profile celebrities, the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es apparently don’t feel the need to alienate some of their fans by endorsing a candidate, or to provoke even more backlash from critics by doing so.
‘Urging Americans to vote is unobjectionable and unlikely to spark too many calls that they’re wading inappropriately into American politics’.
The couple marked National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday by getting the Archewell team to take part in a letter-writing activity.
Staff sent out letters to unregistered voters to encourage them to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
The statement read: ‘Voting is not just a right; it’s a fundamental way to influence the fate of our communities.
‘At The Archewell Foundation, we recognize that civic engagement, no matter one’s political party, is at the heart of a more just and equitable world.
‘By participating in initiatives like this, we aim to amplify the message that every voice matters.’
The Telegraph reported that the letters stopped short of endorsing a particular candidate but instead urged voters to simply use their voice.
The couple invited readers to ‘join us in this important effort’ and volunteer time to write letters to unregistered voters.
Although Harry and Meghan refrained from naming a preferred candidate, many viewers perceived their support for Joe Biden over Donald Trump as “obvious.” This has led to accusations that the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es are violating the terms of their “Megxit” agreement.
In September 2020, Trump publicly stated he was “no fan” of the Duchess following the couple’s video release, which prompted Republicans and other critics to call for the Royal Family to revoke the couple’s titles, deeming their involvement “inappropriate.”
At the time, a Buckingham Palace spokesman remarked, “We would not comment. The Duke is not a working member of the Royal Family, and any comments he makes are made in a personal capacity.”
This year, the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es’ statement was disseminated through the Archewell Foundation rather than their private office, signaling a shift in how they communicate. According to The Telegraph, both Harry and Meghan are expected to maintain a neutral stance leading up to the election on November 5 and will not make an official endorsement.