Harris-Walz’s Counter To The MAGA Hat Is Filled With References
Image via Kamala Harris Store
The Harris-Walz campaign has fired off a new piece of merchandise that’s hitting the bullseye with voters.
The camo-clad swag in question—“the most iconic political hat in America,” according to US Vice President Kamala Harris’s team—sports a Realtree camouflage pattern, boldly emblazoned with ‘Harris Walz’ in hunter’s orange lettering. The design is said to draw inspiration from pop star Chappell Roan’s Midwest Princess tour merchandise, which also has a camo print and orange wording.
is this real https://t.co/4HBBEQuo7q
— Chappell Roan (@ChappellRoan) August 7, 2024
This sartorial statement piece has an interesting origin story. It all started when internet users playfully dubbed Minnesota Governor and Vice President hopeful Tim Walz a “Midwest Princess,” riffing on Roan’s album title. Walz’s credibility as a gun owner and hunter, with his support for universal background checks, may have also helped as a muse.
New merch just droppedhttps://t.co/6KI3UhFLg0 pic.twitter.com/r4jMIULDf8
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 6, 2024
The idea caught fire when designer Eric Ziminsky, known for his work on President Joe Biden’s campaigns, tweeted a concept in response to a photoshopped image of Walz’s face on Roan's album cover.
https://t.co/owFNH4bBLu https://t.co/SoqFP5zdng
— eric (@ericziminsky) August 6, 2024
The Harris campaign wasted no time in bringing the internet’s digital dream to life, though it also told Business Insider it was how Walz “infamously often wears a camo hat” that prompted it to make the merch. Retailing for US$40 on the campaign website and shipping in time for hunting seasons, it was sold out in a mere half-hour, with eager supporters snapping up 3,000 units. Interestingly, it only took the team a few hours to produce this statement accessory.
Capping off the night. https://t.co/pgF98PaOLr pic.twitter.com/DwAQ4hoKkY
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 7, 2024
This piece could also be seen as a subtle nod to voters who might not typically align with the campaign’s politics. The familiar camouflage pattern, a staple in many rural wardrobes, could help bridge perceived gaps between urban and rural constituents. Then again, it is just a hat.
This camouflage cap is just the latest example of the Harris-Walz campaign’s efforts to stay culturally relevant. From tinting its Kamala HQ account a vibrant green in a nod to Charli XCX’s Brat, to this Gen Z-inspired headwear, it’s demonstrating a desire to capture the attention of an extended audience.
Some stats on the viral Kamala/Walz camo hat:
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) August 7, 2024
- The campaign made 3k hats originally
- Initial inventory sold out in less than 30 min
- Thousands of hats are currently on back-order.
- Over $1M in hats were sold yesterday alone
- The team designed and developed the merch and… pic.twitter.com/EylhsrD1UC
[via Fast Company, USA Today, Business Insider, images via various sources]
