Donald Trump & the GOP are ready to declare a holy war against Taylor Swift
In 2020, Taylor Swift made her general feelings known for months before she formally endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. She was jazzed, that summer, when Biden chose Harris as his running mate, then Taylor did a piece with V Magazine in October 2020 where she spoke about why she was voting for the Biden-Harris ticket. She also baked Biden-Harris cookies and posted the photo on her Insta (and Biden reposted it too). So far, Swift hasn’t been vocal about who she plans to vote for, but I would be willing to bet that – at the very least – Taylor will do another voter-registration drive and she’ll participate in some GOTV efforts in the fall. All of that means that the Republicans are terrified of the power Taylor wields and You-Know-Who has been telling people that he’s more popular than Taylor (he is not).
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift hasn’t even endorsed President Joe Biden for reelection yet. That hasn’t stopped members of MAGAland’s upper crust from plotting to declare — as one source close to Donald Trump calls it — a “holy war” on the pop mega-star, especially if she ends up publicly backing the Democrats in the 2024 election.
According to three people familiar with the matter, Trump loyalists working on or close to the former president’s campaign, longtime Trump allies in right-wing media, and an array of outside advisers to the ex-president have long taken it as a given that Swift will eventually endorse Biden (as she did in 2020). Indeed, several of these Republicans and conservative media figures have discussed the matter with Trump over the past few months, the sources say.
While Swift has not yet issued an endorsement in the 2024 race, The New York Times reported Monday that Swift is a key name on Biden aides’ “wish lists of potential surrogates.” A potential Swift appearance at Super Bowl LVIII alongside her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has already prompted the MAGA right’s culture war pugilists into a conspiracy-fueled froth about how this NFL season has been rigged to boost Biden.
Behind the scenes, Trump has reacted to the possibility of Biden and Swift teaming up against him this year not with alarm, but with an instant projection of ego. In recent weeks, the former president has told people in his orbit that no amount of A-list celebrity endorsements will save Biden. Trump has also privately claimed that he is “more popular” than Swift is and that he has more committed fans than she does, a person close to Trump and another source with knowledge of the matter tell Rolling Stone.
Last month, the source close to Trump adds, the ex-president commented to some confidants that it “obviously” made no sense that he was not named Time magazine’s 2023 Person of the Year — an honor that went to none other than Swift in December.
Meanwhile, as Trump has been having a popularity contest with Swift in his own head, others close to him —including GOP operatives, some of his 2024 staff, and Trumpy media figures — have been brainstorming different ways to go after Swift. Since late last year, these Trump allies have repeatedly discussed how to turn the culture-warrior dial up to 11, if she re-endorses Biden this year, the sources recount.
“It would be more fuel thrown on to the culture-war fires,” says an official working on the Trump reelection efforts. “Another left-wing celebrity who is part of the Democrat elite telling you what to think.”
Publicly, members of Trump’s inner sanctum and social circle are already signaling Swift’s prominent position atop their enemies list — a situation that has reached fever pitch now that Swift’s boyfriend will once again be playing in the Super Bowl.
Here’s the thing – I bet Taylor has been wondering what she should do or say about the election too, but by telegraphing their fascist rage at the #1 pop princess in the world, the Republicans are making it that much easier for Taylor to just post a simple Instagram endorsement for Biden. I mean, she’s going to get sh-t no matter what she says or doesn’t say, they’re absolutely making that clear. And if it turns into Trump vs. Taylor, my money is on the Snake Fam. Please, I’m begging the Snake Fam to use their power against the MAGA cult. Also: I don’t believe that the Biden administration wants to use Taylor as a surrogate. Her power and voice would be much better for (as I said before) voter registration drives and GOTV efforts.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images and Instagram.
New York City, NY – Taylor Swift, alongside Cara Delevingne and Brittany Mahomes, sets the tone for an elegant night at Nobu in New York City. Their presence illuminates the esteemed eatery, infusing New York’s culinary landscape with star-studded allure. Pictured: Taylor Swift BACKGRID USA 23 JANUARY 2024 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication* United States President Joe Biden is presented a jersey from Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Tight End Travis Kelce as he welcomes the Kansas City Chiefs to celebrate their victory in Super Bowl LVII on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Featuring: President Joe Biden, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States When: 05 Jun 2023 Credit: Yuri Gripas/POOL via CNP/startraksphoto.com Donald Trump Addresses the Media During Financial Fraud Trial Featuring: Donald Trump Where: New York, New York, United States When: 04 Oct 2023 Credit: Janet Mayer/startraksphoto.com
Donald Trump Addresses the Media During Financial Fraud Trial Featuring: Donald Trump Where: New York, New York, United States When: 04 Oct 2023 Credit: Janet Mayer/startraksphoto.com NY Premiere of Poor Things Featuring: Taylor Swift Where: New York, New York, United States When: 06 Dec 2023 Credit: Janet Mayer/startraksphoto.com
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