Culture How influential are influencers? Political science professors explain DTH Photo Illustration. As student voters chose which candidates to -- -- Social media exploded when 20-year-old rapper Lil Pump supported President Donald Trump on stage at a rally, raising the question of how much of an impact celebrity endorsements have on the presidential election, especially among young people. -- -- During election season, celebrities endorse political candidates, but the question is, how influential are the influencers? Ashley Anderson, assistant professor of political science at UNC, said -- -- Ashley Anderson, assistant professor of political science at UNC, said she believes celebrities can have an impact on certain groups, especially low-information voters. She gave Beyoncé as an example a -- especially low-information voters. She gave Beyoncé as an example a high profile celebrity who could potentially influence voters. “If you didn't know the candidates' platforms very intimately, these -- -- I do, and so I'm going to trust her endorsement,'" Anderson said. Anderson said she thinks a voter's likelihood to be influenced politically by celebrity endorsements is not based on age so much as their political interest and knowledge. -- -- Marc Hetherington, a professor of political science at UNC, said he is unsure how much endorsements have an impact on voters because celebrity endorsements are now expected. -- -- young people themselves." Having young people involved could potentially decrease the influence of celebrities on them because they would have more information. -- -- Anderson and Hetherington both said there are still positive ways that celebrities are able to influence people. -- Anderson said celebrities can be the most impactful by getting citizens to register to vote or become politically engaged. They can also advocate for protecting voters or fighting against voter suppression.