Hats, Tattoos, and T-Shirts: How Americans Advertise Their Political Support

There are many ways the American people can support their chosen candidate for president: canvassing, campaigning, calling people to get them to vote.

But one method of support has been particularly appealing throughout this election cycle: the sartorial political statement. From hats to t-shirts, bags and even tattoos, people across the US got creative as they expressed their support for the Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz tickets.

With the race now in its final days, Newsweek looks at some of the most striking and memorable ways Americans got creative with their advocacy throughout this historic election year.

Since announcing his first campaign for the presidency in 2015, Trump’s rallies they became renowned for their high-energy atmosphere, theatrical elements and fervent supporter engagement.

In October, Trump held a campaign rally at Calhoun Ranch near CoachellaCalifornia. This event was notable for its location in a majority Democratic state and drew thousands of supporters despite temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In August 2024, following the President Joe Bidenhis withdrawal from the race, vice president Kamala Harris secured the Democratic presidential nomination.

Harris’ candidacy injected new life into the Democrats‘, and the first days of the vice president’s candidacy for the White House emphasized joy.

Amid the euphoria, singer Charli XCX posted on X, previously Twitterthat “Kamala IS brat,” in a nod to her recent album, the nibwhich is synonymous with a shade of neon green (now dubbed brat green) and a party persona.

Harris’ association with the nib became a general state of the campaign as her team pushed on the nib memes, and Charli XCX’s post generated a plethora of think pieces and table discussions.

Trump was arrested in August 2023 in Fulton County, Georgia, where he was charged with attempted overthrow 2020 elections results in the state, marking the first time a former US president has faced criminal charges.

His image SHOOTING he has since become iconic among his supporters and has stepped up his support for someone they perceive as being politically persecuted.

On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump survived an assassination attempt. The aggressor, 20 years old Thomas Matthew Crooksfired several shots from a rooftop about 130 yards away, injuring Trump’s right ear.

The image of Trump after the bullet grazed his ear instantly became a defining moment in the campaign. It has since been adopted by many of its supporters.

Throughout Harris’ campaign, a number of different groups formed to mobilize support for the vice president, including Black Men for Harris, Survivors for Harrisand White guys for Harris.

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