Kansas City, Missouri – Donald Trump’s allies in US politics and conservative media have launched a conspiracy-driven attack on pop star Taylor Swift, fearing that she could influence the 2024 election in favor of Joe Biden.
The assaults against Swift from the right have intensified in recent days, making her a target in the midst of the country’s divisive political culture wars. One apparent trigger for the vitriol from Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement was Swift’s decision to publicly support her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, after his American football team, the Kansas City Chiefs, secured a spot in the Super Bowl.
An article in The New York Times suggested that Swift was the “biggest and most influential endorsement target” for Biden’s re-election campaign, sparking further attacks from Trump’s allies, including claims that she is part of a plot to keep Biden in the White House.
Although Swift’s music and performances have not been overtly political, she has previously aligned herself with Democrats and has used her platform to advocate for women’s rights and oppose white supremacy. She endorsed the Democratic candidate in the Tennessee Senate race in 2018 and supported Biden in the 2020 general election.
The backlash against Swift has exemplified the deep polarization in the nation, with some experts warning that it is being used as a wedge to create artificial divisions. Biden’s advisers have attempted to use the controversy to highlight the extreme positions of his opponents, while Democrats are hoping that Swift’s influence can help generate enthusiasm within the base and among younger voters.
The controversies surrounding Swift and Kelce have also extended beyond the realm of politics, drawing attention from corporate America, with airlines and other companies seizing the opportunity to capitalize on their star power. The reaction to Kelce’s endorsements and Swift’s influence has sparked a heated debate across the political spectrum.
As the political and cultural sphere continues to intertwine, Swift’s public persona and political stance are being closely scrutinized, with both sides leveraging her influence to further their own agendas.