The 2016 US Election: 9 Celebrities Who Didn’t Vote and Their Controversial Reasons

The 2016 United States presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, marked by intense debate, stark ideological divides, and unprecedented public engagement. Millions of citizens passionately cast their votes for either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, believing deeply in the power of their civic duty. However, not everyone, even among the nation’s most recognizable figures, participated in this crucial democratic process. The decision to abstain from voting, especially for individuals with significant public platforms, often sparks considerable discussion and, at times, heated controversy. It challenges the conventional understanding of civic responsibility and begs the question: what message does it send when influential personalities choose not to exercise their right to vote?

This article delves into the intriguing cases of nine prominent celebrities who, for various reasons ranging from political disillusionment to personal conviction, did not cast a ballot in the 2016 election. Their choices ignited public debate and offered unique perspectives on the complexities of political participation in a highly charged environment. We explore their stated justifications, the public reactions they faced, and the broader implications of their non-participation.

1. Kanye West

Kanye West, an artist renowned for his boundary-pushing music and often controversial public statements, found himself at the center of a voting controversy following the 2016 election. Despite being married into a family, the Kardashians, known for their vocal support of Hillary Clinton, West chose not to vote. His decision became public knowledge during a concert in San Jose on November 17, 2016, where he candidly revealed to his audience that if he had voted, he would have supported Donald Trump. This admission not only surprised many but also elicited a strong negative reaction from the crowd, with some audience members booing and even demanding refunds.

West’s stance underscored a fascinating tension between personal political leanings and public expectations. His willingness to openly declare his hypothetical support for Trump, coupled with his actual abstention from voting, highlighted a complex relationship with the electoral process. For a figure as influential as Kanye West, known for his ability to sway public opinion and cultural trends, his decision not to vote raised questions about the responsibility of public figures to engage with the political system, especially when they are so vocal about their views. The incident served as a potent example of how celebrity political endorsements, or lack thereof, can deeply resonate with and divide their fan bases.

2. Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback, emerged as a powerful voice for social justice during the 2016 election cycle, most notably for his protests against racial injustice and police brutality. His decision to kneel during the national anthem, a gesture intended to draw attention to systemic oppression, became a symbol of the Black Lives Matter movement. However, his activism extended to his voting choices, or lack thereof. Kaepernick openly stated that he did not vote in the 2016 election, explaining his rationale to Yahoo! Sports: “I said from the beginning I was against oppression, I was against the system of oppression.”

Kaepernick’s refusal to vote was rooted in a belief that the electoral system itself was part of the oppressive structure he was fighting against. His perspective challenged the conventional wisdom that voting is the primary, or sole, means of effecting change. Instead, he prioritized direct protest and advocacy, viewing both presidential candidates as representatives of a flawed system. This position sparked considerable debate: while many applauded his courageous activism, others criticized his abstention from voting, arguing that opting out of the ballot box diminished the very cause he championed. His actions forced a national conversation about the efficacy of electoral politics versus direct action in the pursuit of social justice, especially for marginalized communities.

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3. Mike Evans

Following in the footsteps of his NFL colleague Colin Kaepernick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans also chose not to vote in the 2016 election, citing similar reasons of protest against systemic injustice. When directly asked by a fan on Instagram if he had voted, Evans simply replied “No.” His decision, while not as widely publicized or articulated as Kaepernick’s, reflected a growing sentiment among some athletes and public figures that the existing political framework failed to adequately address the deep-seated issues facing their communities.

Evans’s non-participation contributed to a broader narrative developing within professional sports, where athletes were increasingly using their platforms to speak out on social and political issues. His choice highlighted the personal convictions that can lead individuals, particularly those who feel marginalized or unheard by the political establishment, to opt out of the voting process as a form of protest. While some might argue that such abstention weakens democratic participation, for Evans and others, it was a principled stand against a system they perceived as unresponsive or inherently flawed. This stance, whether understood as apathy or activism, undeniably added another layer to the complex tapestry of celebrity political engagement during a contentious election.

4. Jeb Bush

Jeb Bush, a scion of one of America’s most prominent political families and a former Governor of Florida, was himself a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2016 election. After a challenging primary campaign, he ultimately withdrew from the race. Following his departure, Bush found himself in an unenviable position, unable to reconcile his political convictions with either of the two dominant presidential candidates. In a September 2016 speech, he poignantly articulated his dilemma: “I can’t vote for Hillary and I can’t vote for Donald, and it breaks my heart. The bar’s not that high for me.”

His statement revealed a profound disillusionment with the choices presented to the American electorate. For a lifelong Republican and a seasoned politician, the inability to support his party’s nominee, Donald Trump, or the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, was a significant personal and political crisis. Bush’s decision not to vote reflected a “conscience vote” scenario, where upholding personal principles outweighed the perceived duty to participate in the electoral process by choosing the “lesser of two evils.” This stance resonated with many centrist voters who felt politically homeless in a highly polarized election, highlighting how deeply divisive the 2016 contest was, even for those at the heart of the political establishment.

5. George W. Bush

Following his younger brother Jeb’s example, former President George W. Bush also chose not to cast a vote for either major party candidate in the 2016 election. While initial rumors suggested he might lean towards Hillary Clinton, his office later clarified that he, along with his wife Laura Bush, left their ballots blank. This decision by a former Republican president to abstain from voting for his party’s nominee, or any candidate at all, sent a powerful message about the unprecedented nature of the 2016 election and the deep ideological rifts it exposed within the Republican Party itself.

The Bushes’ blank ballots symbolized a profound rejection of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, signaling a deep discomfort with the direction of American politics. For a family synonymous with conservative statesmanship, this non-endorsement was a stark indication of how much the political landscape had shifted. Their decision underscored the idea that for some, the integrity of the electoral process and adherence to certain principles transcended party loyalty. It also highlighted the difficulty many traditional Republicans faced in coming to terms with the populist appeal of Donald Trump, leading them to choose non-participation over supporting a candidate they felt did not represent their values or the future of their party.

6. Tom Brady

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, one of the most celebrated athletes in American sports history, maintained a notoriously vague public stance on politics leading up to the 2016 election. While it was widely speculated that he had a friendship with then-candidate Donald Trump, Brady consistently sidestepped direct questions about his voting intentions or political affiliations. This ambiguity made it difficult to ascertain whether he ultimately cast a vote, but his reluctance to commit publicly suggested a possible abstention or an undecided position even by Election Day.

Further complicating matters was the reported disapproval from his wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen. Media outlets suggested that Bündchen had practically “forbidden” Brady from discussing politics at home, indicating a potential divergence in their political views or a desire to maintain a strict separation between their private life and the contentious political climate. Brady’s situation illustrated the unique pressures faced by high-profile athletes, who often grapple with the expectation to be role models while also navigating their personal beliefs and relationships. His reluctance to take a definitive political stance, despite his public association with a candidate, left many wondering about his ultimate participation and reflected a broader trend of public figures attempting to avoid alienating portions of their fan base during a highly charged political period.

Beyoncé’s ‘Get Out The Vote’ Concert – A Contrast in Celebrity Engagement

While many celebrities actively campaigned for candidates or encouraged voter turnout, the stories above highlight a different aspect of celebrity political engagement: abstention. The next few individuals further illustrate the diverse reasons behind choosing not to vote.

7. Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper and influential cultural figure, has openly admitted in interviews to never having voted in any election. His non-participation stems from a deep-seated belief that the electoral system itself is fundamentally flawed and that his vote would not meaningfully impact change. Lamar articulated a perspective common among some who feel disillusioned with conventional politics, viewing the act of voting as potentially perpetuating a system he believes is inherently hypocritical or ineffective.

Lamar’s stance reflects a critical engagement with the concept of systemic change. Rather than seeking reform through the ballot box, his artistry often serves as his primary vehicle for social commentary and critique. His music frequently addresses issues of race, poverty, and power structures, offering a powerful narrative that aims to provoke thought and inspire action outside of traditional political channels. For Lamar, abstaining from voting is not apathy but a conscious philosophical choice, aligning with his artistic mission to challenge the status quo rather than validate it through participation. His position sparks an important debate about what constitutes effective civic engagement and whether influence through art can be as, or more, impactful than electoral participation.

8. P. Diddy

Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, a music mogul and entrepreneur, famously spearheaded the “Vote or Die” campaign in the early 2000s, an initiative designed to galvanize young voters and emphasize the importance of political participation. However, by 2015, Diddy had undergone a significant change of heart, publicly abandoning his previous stance and admitting his disillusionment with the electoral process. He confessed, “We started Vote or Die, and the whole process was all full of sh-t. The whole sh-t is a scam.”

Diddy’s dramatic reversal from an ardent voting advocate to a vocal critic of the system highlighted a profound shift in his political outlook. His experience with the “Vote or Die” campaign seemingly led him to conclude that the existing political framework was not genuinely empowering or transformative for the communities it purported to serve. His comments resonated with many who felt that the political system was rigged or unresponsive to the needs of ordinary citizens. Diddy’s evolution from a proponent of electoral engagement to a purveyor of political skepticism underscored the deep-seated frustration and cynicism that can lead influential figures to disengage from the very processes they once championed, raising questions about the enduring effectiveness of traditional political advocacy.

9. Russell Brand

Russell Brand, the British comedian, actor, and activist, is known for his outspoken views on social and political issues. While the original article questions his eligibility to vote in the US due to his UK citizenship, his broader stance on electoral politics is consistently one of non-participation. Brand has explicitly stated his disinterest in voting, particularly in his home country, asserting to the BBC, “I’ve never voted, never will.”

Brand’s philosophy aligns with a more radical critique of the political system. He argues that traditional electoral politics merely offers an illusion of choice within a fundamentally flawed and corrupt structure. Instead, he advocates for systemic change through alternative means, encouraging people to look beyond the ballot box for true societal transformation. His abstention is not born of apathy but rather a deliberate act rooted in a belief that genuine power lies outside of conventional governmental institutions. For Brand, voting legitimizes a system he fundamentally distrusts. His consistent non-voting stance, irrespective of the country, serves as a prominent example of how some public intellectuals choose to engage with political discourse through critique and alternative activism rather than through electoral participation.

The Diverse Reasons for Disengagement: A Concluding Perspective

The decisions by these nine celebrities to abstain from voting in the 2016 US election, or in some cases, from voting entirely, reveal a spectrum of motivations far more complex than simple apathy. Their reasons range from principled protests against perceived systemic oppression, as articulated by Colin Kaepernick and Mike Evans, to profound disillusionment with the available candidates, exemplified by Jeb and George W. Bush. Others, like Kendrick Lamar and Russell Brand, express a philosophical belief that the electoral system itself is inherently flawed and that true change must occur outside its confines. P. Diddy’s journey from “Vote or Die” to outright skepticism highlights how even ardent advocates can lose faith, while Tom Brady’s enigmatic silence demonstrates the delicate balance celebrities often strike between public persona and private conviction.

These instances underscore a critical aspect of modern democratic discourse: the role and influence of public figures in civic engagement. While some argue that celebrities have a responsibility to encourage participation and lead by example, others contend that their right to political non-participation is as fundamental as anyone else’s, particularly when it stems from deeply held convictions or protests against perceived injustices. The 2016 election, with its unprecedented divisiveness, seemingly amplified these choices, forcing a national conversation about what civic duty truly entails in an era where trust in institutions is often questioned. Ultimately, whether one agrees with their reasons or not, the non-votes of these prominent individuals served as powerful, albeit silent, statements that contributed to the complex narrative of a truly historic election.