jfid – Taylor Swift, the pop singer known for her songs about love, heartbreak, and friendship, also has a significant political role in the United States (US) political scene.
Swift, who has over 200 million followers on social media, has used her influence and popularity to support candidates and issues she believes in, especially in the 2020 and 2024 US presidential elections.
Trump’s Accusation: Swift as a Pentagon Agent
One controversy involving Swift in the US political arena is the accusation made by former US President Donald Trump, who attempted to overturn the democratic election results of the US people in 2020.
Trump, who lost to Joe Biden in the election, on Sunday (2/11/2024) accused Swift of being disloyal if she supported Biden as president.
Trump is concerned that Swift is a Pentagon agent who has close ties with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
His team’s Super Bowl victory, according to Trump’s conspiracy thinking, was designed to give Swift a platform to influence the Biden election.
Trump also said that Swift and other artists benefited from the Music Modernization Act, which helps artists get royalties and licensing fees more easily through music streaming services, which was passed during his presidency. Trump said that Biden did nothing for Taylor.
Swift’s Support: Biden and Democrats
Trump’s accusations are of course baseless and have no evidence. Swift herself has shown her support for Biden and the Democratic Party in the 2020 presidential election, although she has not yet publicly endorsed anyone in the latest campaign.
Swift has also spoken out on issues such as human rights, gender equality, criminal justice reform, and climate change.
Swift first made her political stance known in 2018, when she endorsed two Democratic candidates in Tennessee, her home state.
This came after Swift faced criticism for not being outspoken enough in opposing Trump’s leadership in the 2016 US Presidential Election.
In 2020, Swift shared a video message showing her support for Biden and Kamala Harris, the current US Vice President, on election night.
Swift also encouraged her fans to vote through a post on Instagram, which reportedly resulted in over 35,000 voter registrations.
Politicians’ Reaction: Swifties and Anti-Swifties
Swift’s political role in the US election has not gone unnoticed by other politicians, both those who support and oppose her.
Some Democratic politicians have vied to identify with Swift, claiming to be fans or Swifties, and naming their favorite Swift songs.
One example is Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, who stated on social media that he is a Swiftie and his favorite song is “White Horse” from Swift’s 2008 album Fearless.
Schumer also sent Swift a heart-shaped cake with the words “You Belong With Us” as a thank you for her support.
Meanwhile, some Republicans have warned politicians about the dangers of chasing Swift’s support, who is very popular and influential.
They see Swift as a threat to their political agenda, especially on issues of women’s rights, LGBTQ+, and minorities.
One example is Marsha Blackburn, a Republican senator from Tennessee, who was targeted by Swift in her song “Only The Young.”
Swift criticized Blackburn as “someone who will smile and say I’m on your side” but “in the dead of night, she’s got her hands up in the air saying it’s time to fight.”
Swift also referred to Blackburn as “Trump in a wig” in her documentary Miss Americana, which highlights Swift’s career and political journey.
Blackburn, who won over Swift’s endorsed candidate in 2018, said she respects Swift as an artist but disagrees with her views on certain issues.
Conclusion: Swift, Politics, and Influence
From the above description, it can be concluded that Taylor Swift is one of the artists who has a significant political role in the US political scene.
Swift has used her influence and popularity to support candidates and issues she believes in, especially in the 2020 and 2024 US presidential elections.
Swift has also been a source of controversy and attention from other politicians, both those who support and oppose her. Swift has shown that she is not afraid to speak her mind and contribute to the democratic process in the US.
Swift, known for being a smart, witty, and straightforward singer, has also shown that she is able to incorporate political elements into her work, be it in songs, videos, or documentaries.
Swift has proven that she is not just a pop star, but also an influential political figure.
