Zach Galifianakis’ Surprising Take on Dem Campaign Strategy

Zach Galifianakis has voiced his thoughts on the Democratic Party's approach to celebrity endorsements. The Hangover star recently expressed his opinion on how Democrats should handle support from Hollywood figures during the ongoing election campaign.

At a premiere event for Only Murders in the Building Season 4, where he stars, Galifianakis told Variety that he wishes the DNC would distance itself somewhat from celebrity endorsements. He believes that while celebrity support can be beneficial, it may alienate rural America. "As someone from a small town in North Carolina, I feel the DNC should step back from celebrities a bit," he said. He worries that the general public sees the entertainment industry as out of touch. "Hollywood thinks it's so important, and that’s a problem," he added. "Actors are people too, but I identify more with the small-town perspective."

In contrast, Kumail Nanjiani, also a cast member of Only Murders in the Building Season 4, has shown strong support for Kamala Harris. Nanjiani plans to collaborate with Harris’s campaign, including making voter registration videos and possibly making public appearances. "It’s amazing how much my perspective has changed in the past month and a half. Harris’s candidacy has renewed my faith in humanity," he said, reflecting on the renewed energy among Democrat voters following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race in July. Nanjiani remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging there’s still a lot of work ahead.

The 2024 Democratic National Convention saw numerous celebrities, including Eva Longoria, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, and others. Galifianakis has previously criticized the link between celebrity culture and politics. He remarked on Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend in 2022, "America’s obsession with celebrity is a mental illness," and pointed out that this obsession contributed to the election of Donald Trump. He had expressed a lack of interest in having Trump on his show Between Two Ferns, despite having invited other political figures like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. "Trump seeks attention, whether it’s good or bad," Galifianakis noted, adding that he wouldn’t want to exploit Trump’s issues for entertainment.