Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are both embracing pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, as a way to connect with American voters ahead of the November 5 election. This initiative follows President Joe Biden’s campaign efforts to engage older voters in crucial battleground states through activities like bingo and pickleball. It appears that this strategy is still gaining traction.
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are both leveraging pickleball—a rapidly rising paddle sport—to engage American voters ahead of the November 5 election. This initiative follows President Joe Biden’s campaign, which aimed to mobilize older voters in key battleground states through activities like bingo and pickleball. It seems this strategy is still resonating.
Trump’s campaign has launched a custom line of pickleball paddles and gear to attract players nationwide. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party and the Harris-Walz campaign have organized several pop-up pickleball events to draw in older voters.
Amazon is offering merchandise like the “Pickleballers for Kamala Harris Pullover Hoodie” and the “Kamala Harris 2024 LGBT Pickleball Election T-Shirt.” These items are designed to help you show your love for pickleball while supporting Kamala Harris in her mission to unify and lead the USA.
While Donald Trump’s campaign hasn’t organized pickleball events to sway voters, it has certainly embraced the sport. In September, the Republican presidential nominee launched a Trump Pickleball Set that includes two paddles emblazoned with the name “TRUMP,” along with a case and two balls, priced at around $118.
Why Are Donald Trump and Kamala Harris Using Pickleball?
Pickleball, a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has surged in popularity, particularly among older adults and suburban communities—two crucial demographics for both campaigns. High-profile figures like Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Ellen DeGeneres, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Orlando Bloom have also embraced the trend, making it even more appealing. By engaging with this sport, both Trump and Harris aim to connect with voters in a fun and relatable way, tapping into the growing pickleball craze.
In the United States, pickleball’s popularity has skyrocketed, leading to the repurposing of tennis courts for the sport. Over 30 school districts in Michigan are planning to integrate pickleball into their gym classes and other school programs.
Meanwhile, the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), the global ranking system for pickleball players, is gearing up to host the PWR DUPR India Masters in New Delhi. The tournament is scheduled for October 24 to 27.
