Kamala Harris uses Beyoncé song as walk-up music at campaign HQ visit
Vice President Kamala Harris entered to Beyoncé's song "Freedom" when making her first official visit to her campaign headquarters in in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday, a day after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Harris.
According to CNN, Beyoncé's camp gave the vice president and presumptive Democratic nominee quick approval to use the 2016 hit featuring Kendrick Lamar throughout her bid to be the next U.S. president, just hours before she played it on her campaign trial.
Beyoncé has not publicly endorsed a presidential candidate yet, but her mom, Tina Knowles, on Sunday posted a photo showing her immediate support for Harris as the next president. The photo was seemingly taken last summer when Harris attended Beyoncé's Renaissance concert after the superstar gifted her tickets.
In the caption she wrote, "New, Youthful, Sharp, energy!!!! You asked for it and our President Biden did what was best for the country! Putting personal Ego, power and fame aside. That is the definition of a great leader. Thank you, President Biden for your service and your leadership. Go Vice President Kamala Harris for President."
Later Knowles shared another post to her page saying: "Kamala Harris is running for President, and the hate she’s getting is unreal. Remember what Malcolm X said: ‘The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.’ Kamala’s got the credentials — from her political grind to her college smarts — not to mention no felonies on her record, which can’t be said about some of her opponents. She’s out here proving she’s more than qualified. It’s time we lift her up and give her the respect she deserves."
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On Sunday afternoon, Biden announced he was ending his bid for reelection in a letter addressed to Americans after weeks of speculation. He wrote, "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term."
In a matter of days Harris has received an outpouring of support from the president himself, politicians and prominent figures. As the vice president continues her campaign, it will be interesting to see if "Freedom" will be her official song.
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.