Join the Debate: Do T-shirt sales reflect your state’s support of Harris or Trump?
Check out all the political shirts on the TeePublic marketplace!
As the U.S. presidential election season heats up, much of the nation is tuned into debates, rallies, and campaign ads. However, through graphic tee sales we can gauge the current public enthusiasm for each of the leading presidential candidates.
T-shirt sales may seem like a quirky metric to analyze, but in a world where every aspect of our lives is data-driven, why not consider how fashion reflects our political views? The next time you see someone sporting a political t-shirt, remember: they’re not just wearing a piece of clothing—they’re making a statement on what they think is important for the future of the country.
The Meteoric Rise of Harris
We’ve observed a dramatic rise in interest in the US presidential election starting in July, when nearly 20% of the searches on TeePublic were for one of presidential candidates, and there were 30% more searches for Trump, with volume coinciding with the attempted assassination of Trump and the Republican National Convention.
When Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, we saw an immediate surge of enthusiasm for Harris, and in August, searches for Harris are now double the searches for Trump.
This significant interest in t-shirts supporting Vice President Kamala Harris is one of our most striking findings. This rise in popularity could indicate growing enthusiasm among her supporters, particularly among younger demographics who are more likely to express their political leanings through fashion.
State of the T-shirt Race
As of the end of August t-shirt sales have dramatically swung into Harris’ favor, and the most popular Harris t-shirt for August is this retro design.
Trump’s supporters are favoring a more straightforward design to support the Trump / Vance ticket with this design that has white letters on a bold red shirt.
Top Candidate Tees in Key Swing States
As expected, the swing states are close in the polls and are very close in enthusiasm measured in t-shirt sales.
Pennsylvania
T-shirt sales in support of Harris are exceeding Trump by 23%, but both groups are fans of vintage styled designs.
The leading seller for Trump is this distressed style supporting Trump’s 2024 campaign on a light gray shirt.
The top seller in Pennsylvania for Harris is a very similar retro design designed and sold by to the top seller with a similar font and color palette.
Georgia
Georgia is another tight race, but in August, Harris sales led Trump by 25%.
The top seller for Harris is a visual pun on her first name, Kamala, and has bold bright white lettering on a Royal Blue shirt.
The top seller for Trump is another bold and straightforward design that advertises the Trump / Vance ticket in a bold serif font in red, white and blue and most popularly purchased on a light gray shirt.
Solidly Red & Blue Designs
For some fun, here are some top sellers in states where each candidate is leading by a wide margin.
Mississippi
Mississippians have purchased a large share of this design, which proclaims support for Trump from LGBTQ people - despite most national LGBTQ organizations endorsing Democratic candidates.
California
Our data shows solid support for Harris in her home state of California, and the top seller supporting her is a groovy and colorful retro design that calls back to the 1960s.
Looking Ahead
While t-shirt sales are certainly not a definitive predictor of election outcomes, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the zeitgeist of the American electorate. The most popular designs reference each candidate's unique brand and imagery and have an added reference to a current meme or are in a vintage style.
As we move closer to November, it will be interesting to see if these trends hold or if new ones emerge.
Check out all the political shirts on the TeePublic marketplace!
