Harris-Walz Campaign Hat: The Surprising Cultural Symbolism Behind the Design
The new campaign hat for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz has sparked more conversation than expected, offering a blend of style and symbolism that goes beyond its outdoor-themed design. Unveiled just hours after Harris announced Minnesota Governor and hunting enthusiast Tim Walz as her running mate, the “Harris-Walz” cap features a classic combination of camo—every hunter’s go-to pattern—and bright orange, a color chosen for visibility and safety.
However, what caught the internet’s attention was not just the hat’s outdoorsy appeal, but its striking resemblance to a piece of merchandise from Chappell Roan, a rising queer pop star. Roan’s “Midwestern Princess” trucker hats, inspired by her debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” have become iconic within her growing fanbase, especially among Gen Z. Known for her bold, drag-inspired makeup, theatrical stage presence, and candid lyrics about her journey with sexuality, Roan has quickly become a favorite among younger audiences. Her performance at the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago earlier this week reportedly drew the largest crowd in the event’s history.
Following the announcement of Walz as Harris’ running mate, social media users humorously called for Harris to don one of Roan’s hats, leading to speculation that the campaign’s design was a nod to the singer. The campaign, however, clarified that the resemblance was coincidental, pointing out that the camo hat was a staple of Walz’s wardrobe long before he became Harris’s vice-presidential pick. In fact, Walz was reportedly wearing his camo hat when Harris called to invite him to join her on the presidential ticket.
Despite the official statement, the unexpected overlap between Walz’s campaign hat and Roan’s merchandise quickly became a talking point online, fueling jokes and discussions about the unlikely convergence of hunting enthusiasts and Roan’s LGBTQ+ fanbase. Some users humorously pondered how “gay” one must be to associate hunting colors with Chappell Roan, while others imagined a moment of mutual recognition between queer millennials and white boomer hunters wearing the same camo hat.
This blending of seemingly disparate cultural elements—hunting culture and Gen Z pop fandom—might just be the campaign’s point. By creating a piece of merchandise that resonates with both communities, the Harris-Walz ticket subtly communicates its broad appeal, signaling a willingness to bridge generational and cultural divides.
The hat’s other messages are more direct. The campaign proudly markets it as both “American made” and “union made,” underscoring its patriotic credentials. Priced at $40, the Harris-Walz hat is also positioned as a fundraising item, with proceeds supporting the Harris Victory Fund. Whether it can surpass the iconic red MAGA hats in popularity remains to be seen, especially given that the Harris-Walz hats won’t ship until mid-October, making it a challenge to generate the same widespread visibility before the election.
