Reality TV star Trump is the only celeb in his spotlight
The Washington outsider may believe he doesn't need Hollywood's support - but in America star power is a valuable currency.
Sunday 6 November 2016 13:08, UK
Donald Trump did his best to mock Hillary Clinton and her pop star endorsements.
Global icons and implored their massive fan base to vote for Hillary.
They are just some of the megastars she has lined up to drive home her message in the closing days
But Mr Trump's insistence that he didn't need any of that sounded very, very hollow.
This is America. It practically invented celebrities.
Here, star power is the most valuable currency when it comes to reaching and influencing people - just ask the advertisers. Politics is no different.
The image of Queen Bey hugging HRC may well have galvanised support among some African Americans who appear to be reluctant to vote early in the numbers Clinton needs to secure victory.
A few days ago, Jennifer Lopez, Latino music mogul, urged the 27 million Hispanic voters in America to back Mrs Clinton.
In diverse states like Florida, Colorado and Nevada, it could make all the difference. Trump knows that.
If he understands anything, it's the power of TV, celebrity and star power.
He spent decades moving in famous circles in his gilded Manhattan-based universe.
He made and starred in his own very successful reality television series.
The real problem is that precious few famous people have endorsed Trump.
Clint Eastwood, Jon Voight - grumpy old white men who won't help Mr Trump reach a new audience.
There are others, but none have the wattage of the Clinton backers.
Perhaps his campaign also think that help from Hollywood might dent the image he wants to paint as an outsider man of the people.
There could be something else going on, too.
Trump is, inarguably, also a celebrity himself - a public figure well before he became the Republican nominee.
His confidence, even arrogance, is well documented.
He doesn't like to share the spotlight.
He may actually believe that he doesn't need celebs.
In a race this close, he's probably wrong.
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