In 2023, Taylor Swift dominated the music scene with her groundbreaking “Eras Tour,” captivating fans worldwide. Amid her success, former President Donald Trump made headlines for his peculiar fascination with the pop star, as revealed in Ramin Setoodeh’s upcoming book “Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass.”
In a conversation for the book, Trump lauded Swift’s looks, referring to her as “exceptionally beautiful.” He further stated, “I think she’s gorgeous—absolutely gorgeous! I find her very attractive. I believe she’s liberal. She likely doesn’t favor Trump. I’ve heard she’s highly talented. I think she’s extremely beautiful, actually—exceptionally beautiful!” These comments were highlighted in a recent Variety article, showcasing his admiration despite her well-documented political views.
This isn’t the first time Trump has commented on Swift. His fascination with pop culture is well-documented, from weighing in on Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson’s relationship to the infamous elevator altercation involving Jay-Z and Solange at the 2014 Met Gala. However, Trump’s interactions with Swift date back to 2012, when he thanked her on Twitter for “the beautiful picture” and later praised her co-hosting the Grammy nominations special, calling her “terrific.”
Swift’s political journey began in earnest in 2018 when she broke her silence on political matters to oppose Tennessee Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn, endorsed by Trump. Swift expressed her disapproval of Blackburn’s policies on Instagram, stating, “I cannot support a candidate who is not prepared to defend the dignity of ALL Americans, regardless of their race, gender, or who they love.” This statement signaled a significant shift in Swift’s public image, transforming her from an apolitical celebrity to a prominent advocate for liberal causes.
At a press conference, Trump dismissed Swift’s comments that she knew “nothing about Blackburn” and notoriously added, “Let’s say I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now, OK?” This remark appeared in Swift’s Netflix documentary “Miss Americana,” where she openly discusses her political awakening and the backlash she encountered. In the documentary, she referred to Blackburn as “Trump in a wig” and voiced her commitment to being on “the right side of history.”
In 2020, Swift publicly backed Biden as president, condemning Trump’s leadership and his handling of racial matters. She tweeted, “Throughout your presidency, you have fueled white supremacy and racism, and now you dare to pretend to hold the moral high ground while inciting violence? ‘When the looting starts, the shooting starts’??? We will remove you from office in November. @realdonaldtrump.” This endorsement firmly positioned her against Trump, heightening the animosity between them.
By January 2024, Trump continued showing interest in Swift, crediting his policies for her financial achievements. On Truth Social, he asserted, “I signed and was responsible for the Music Modernization Act benefiting Taylor Swift and other musical artists. Joe Biden did nothing for Taylor and never will.” He suggested that Swift would not support Biden in the 2024 election due to her supposed financial debt.
Trump also weighed in on Swift’s relationship with NFL player Travis Kelce, noting that despite Kelce’s probable liberal stance, he liked him. “Besides that, I like her boyfriend, Travis, even though he may be a Liberal and probably can’t stand me!” Trump said. His efforts to insert himself into Swift’s personal and professional affairs highlight an unusual preoccupation with the star.
Despite Trump’s claims, Swift has consistently used her platform to support liberal causes and candidates. Her influence in political matters, often called the “Taylor Swift effect,” has been significant, mobilizing her vast fan base to engage in political discourse and voter registration efforts. Her impact is seen as a potential game-changer in elections, making her a figure of both admiration and scrutiny in the political landscape.
Swift’s outspoken criticism of Trump suggests she will continue to advocate for the causes she believes in, regardless of the former president’s attempts to claim credit for her success.