Martha Stewart makes headlines with her 2024 presidential endorsement choice
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: This week’s political spotlight has largely been on Taylor Swift’s prominent endorsements, but another iconic figure, Martha Stewart, has quietly stepped into the scene.
On September 10, ahead of the presidential debate, home and hospitality titan Martha Stewart revealed her choice during an interview with Joanna Coles, chief creative and content officer at The Daily Beast.
Martha Stewart’s 2024 endorsement shakes up political conversation
The interview occurred at the 2024 Retail Influencer CEO Forum, and Martha Stewart's revelation quickly became a hot topic of conversation.
"Oh, you bet," Stewart replied when asked if she planned to watch the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
In a firm tone, she revealed her choice, saying, "Kamala," while making sure to emphasize the correct pronunciation of Harris' name.
Stewart explained her reasoning, saying she wants a leader "who doesn’t hate New York" and "doesn’t hate democracy."
Her endorsement of the vice president follows a complex history of political endorsements—and a less-than-amicable past with Donald Trump.
In 2016, Stewart publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton, telling CNN, "We just can't have a country run by someone who is totally unprepared for what comes."
However, after Trump’s unexpected victory, Stewart shifted her tone, offering congratulations and noting that “there was now a true entrepreneur in the White House.”
By 2020, Stewart remained undecided, choosing not to endorse either Trump or Joe Biden.
“My personal conundrum is, my friends know who I am and what I stand for,” she told The New York Times.
Her hesitation was influenced by the business aspect of her empire. She explained, "How do you take sides when 50 percent of your readers might be on one side, and 50 percent on the other? It’s difficult. That’s my answer to that."
Stewart’s complex relationship with Trump dates back even further.
Martha Stewart reflects on 'The Apprentice' rivalry
In 2006, both Martha Stewart and Donald Trump had their own versions of 'The Apprentice' airing, but Stewart’s show never achieved the same level of success.
Stewart has long claimed that the reason for her show’s lack of success was Trump’s failure to honor an agreement for her to “fire” him, leaving her show as the only one on air.
“Having two Apprentices was as unfair to him as it was unfair to me,” she remarked at the time.
The feud quickly intensified, with Trump writing a scathing public letter accusing Stewart of lying about their arrangement and later telling the press, “I wish she would be able to take responsibility for her failure.”
Stewart, however, proved she wasn’t one to let bygones be bygones.
According to The Independent, in 2008, during an appearance on her show, comedian Joan Rivers joked about Trump’s branded steaks, quipping that she had eaten him by mistake.
Stewart seized the opportunity to land her own jab. "Too bad!" she quickly retorted, adding, "I’ll add my little two cents."
With a smirk, she followed up with a sarcastic comment, saying, "We all love Donald Trump."
