BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – The pop icon Taylor Swift’s popularity has been marred by conspiracy theories and attacks from far-right conservatives after her rumored relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Swift’s billion-dollar Eras Tour and slew of Grammy nominations have kept her in the spotlight, but her romance with Kelce has also made her a fixture in the National Football League season.
During the Chiefs’ conference championship game against the Baltimore Ravens, a pro-Trump podcast host accused the NFL of rigging the game for Democrat propaganda, sparking wild speculation about a potential Super Bowl halftime endorsement.
Unfounded claims about Swift being a government plant and a Pentagon “psyop” have been circulating, and right-wing figures, along with conservative media outlets, have dedicated multiple segments to Swift, with some urging her to stay out of politics.
Despite being a target of conspiracy theories and right-wing backlash, Swift has been an advocate for the LGBTQ community and has openly supported Black Lives Matter, which has further fueled criticism from the conservative side.
Her evolution from teen ingenue to successful businesswoman has also led to backlash from conservative ideals of femininity, which have sparked criticisms about her relationship with Kelce and his endorsements.
The attention she has garnered has not only drawn conspiracy theories but also abuse, particularly the type of abuse that disproportionately targets women online, as evidenced by the recent viral AI-generated sexually explicit images.
As Swift navigates this challenging landscape, her experience sheds light on larger issues such as deepfake pornography and the impact of gendered abuse online, bringing attention to the harm it causes to individuals who do not have the resources of a global superstar.