New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, never shy about calling out political hypocrisy, delivered a scathing critique of celebrity endorsements for Vice President Kamala Harris. His take? These so-called “influencers” seem more influenced by their financial backers than any genuine political conviction. With a sarcasm as sharp as his passing game, Rodgers had a lot to say about stars who’ve made a last-minute rally to endorse Harris—stars he claims are “bought and paid for by China.”
I’ve included the entire video of The Pat McAfee Show here, but if you’re looking for the segment where Aaron Rodgers talks about celebrity endorsements, you can jump to 41:12 – 41:43.
Rodgers, who recently registered to vote in New Jersey, spoke on The Pat McAfee Show the day after his team’s victory over the Houston Texans. While covering everything from the NFL trade deadline to FEMA’s bungled hurricane response, Rodgers turned his attention to this election season’s parade of celebrity endorsements. And when it comes to who’s behind these endorsements, Rodgers didn’t mince words.
“If you don’t know what to do on trade deadline, just ask your favorite celebrity,” Rodgers quipped, adding, “My favorite is when the celebrity is bought and paid for by China.” Ouch.
From the NBA’s LeBron James to pop icons like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez, the roster of A-list Harris endorsers reads like the who’s-who of popular culture. But Rodgers has a point—who do these celebrities truly answer to? Their fans, their wallets, or the shadow of foreign interests?
A Critique on Hollywood’s Hollow Values
Rodgers’ commentary hits at a painful truth about the Hollywood elites: their endorsements seem as fleeting as their convictions. LeBron James, Robert Downey Jr., and Scarlett Johansson have all come forward to throw their weight behind Harris. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé aren’t far behind, openly supporting her on social media. But if these stars are so vocal about “supporting America,” it’s curious how often they sidestep topics that might ruffle the feathers of their international sponsors.
Take LeBron, for example—he’s quick to take a stand in the U.S., yet he’s silent on human rights abuses in China. Downey and Johansson, heroes on-screen, are suspiciously quiet on issues that don’t align with the overseas revenue their films rake in. Rodgers’ sarcasm cuts deep because, well, the truth hurts.
Hurricanes at Home vs. Billions Abroad
Rodgers didn’t stop at celebrity endorsements. He went on to call out the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to pump billions into Ukraine instead of focusing on the American people. While American citizens across the southeastern U.S. are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, the administration is busy funding overseas interests.
“I don’t have a problem with Ukraine, at all,” Rodgers clarified. “I just think there are a lot of problems in the United States that $180 billion could maybe help instead of fighting a proxy war.” He highlighted FEMA’s infamous inefficiency, referencing the disaster relief agency’s failures dating back to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. For Rodgers, this isn’t just about a misallocation of funds—it’s about the U.S. government’s complete disregard for the needs of its own citizens. Who’s looking out for the folks in Florida and Georgia suffering from storm damage?
According to the Department of State, the U.S. has sent a staggering $66.9 billion to Ukraine as of October 21, while FEMA has only $7 billion on hand to help with hurricane recovery. Yet, even that $7 billion isn’t all available for immediate relief—about $4.5 billion remains unobligated but may require reallocation.
A “Two-Party Sham”
Rodgers’ frustration with U.S. politics runs deep. In a recent podcast, he slammed the entire system as a “sham,” calling out both parties for failing the American people. And let’s be honest, it’s refreshing to hear someone in the limelight say what many Americans are thinking. Rodgers even referenced the infamous 2016 Democratic primary, calling it rigged against Bernie Sanders in favor of Hillary Clinton. Even Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren once admitted that the DNC stacked the deck.
For Rodgers, the problem isn’t just about who wins or loses—it’s the fact that Americans are stuck in an endless loop of broken promises, whether the promises come from Democrats or Republicans. “They talk about what they’re gonna do, and then life doesn’t actually get better for any of us,” he said. “We’re still doing the same two-party system. Not letting Bobby [Kennedy] get in or anybody else.”
The Celebrity “Influencers” vs. the American People
Rodgers’ gripe goes beyond government incompetence; it’s about a media landscape that pushes these celebrity endorsements as gospel truth. For many, it’s hard to take political advice from a celebrity who spends more time on private jets and red carpets than understanding the lives of average Americans. The media might think these endorsements pack a punch, but the American people see right through the act.
The quarterback’s sarcastic jab at “China-backed celebrities” isn’t just a critique—it’s a mirror held up to a Hollywood establishment more loyal to its bottom line than the country. And with Vice President Kamala Harris as their chosen candidate, Rodgers’ criticism points to a truth many Americans feel: that celebrities are more focused on maintaining their global appeal than addressing the actual issues faced by everyday Americans.
Final Thoughts
Aaron Rodgers’ unfiltered take on celebrity endorsements should remind us all to look critically at where our “influencers” get their influence. If these stars are “bought and paid for by China,” as Rodgers suggests, then maybe we need to think twice before letting them sway our votes. Rodgers has shown that he’s willing to speak his mind, even if it means challenging the powerful interests behind these Hollywood stars. And in today’s America, we need more voices like his, voices that aren’t afraid to question where the loyalties of the elite really lie.
So, the next time your favorite pop star endorses a candidate, ask yourself: who are they really endorsing, and why?
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
Jimmy
Find more articles like this at steadfastandloyal.com
I don’t even watch football anymore ever since they disrespected our Flag and National Anthem, but I still love a person with intellect and integrity.. Therefore I am now an admirer of Aaron Rodgers!
The only thing Rogers is wrong about is that he believes the government needs to redirect money to fix the problems in America. The government has and never will fix anything, no matter what. In fact, most problems in America are rooted in political decisions. The founding fathers created a system that when moral and limited, will stay out of the way and allow the people to fix their own problems, issues and lives. Now every American perceives that the government is the all knowing behind the curtain able to make your life better, just throw some cash at it, or create a committee