In an unexpected twist, the blossoming romance between pop sensation Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce has catapulted from the entertainment headlines into the fiery arena of US political discourse. As the nation gears up for the Super Bowl and the 2024 presidential elections, this high-profile relationship has become the subject of intense scrutiny and bizarre conspiracy theories.Allegations range from covert operations to election rigging, drawing attention from both the media and prominent political figures.
Driving the news
Driving the news
- Conservatives, following the lead of Donald Trump who is known for his penchant for conspiracy theories, have cast the romance between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in a suspicious light, interpreting it not as a love story but as a covert Pentagon psychological operation aimed at manipulating the American electorate ahead of the November presidential election.
- Fox News engaged a former FBI agent in a discussion that raised the question: “Is Taylor Swift a Pentagon asset?”
- Laura Loomer, a staunch Trump supporter, addressed her substantial following on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a direct claim: “The Democrats’ Taylor Swift election interference psyop is happening in the open.”
- Vivek Ramaswamy, Indian-American tech entrepreneur whose presidential aspirations fell short and who now supports Trump’s renewed bid for the presidency, insinuated a conspiracy. He posited that the Swift-Kelce relationship and the Chiefs’ success in the Super Bowl might be orchestrated to favor Biden. On X, he mused, “I wonder who’s going to win the Super Bowl next month. And I wonder if there’s a major presidential endorsement coming from an artificially culturally propped-up couple,” adding, “Just some wild speculation over here, let’s see how it ages over the next 8 months.”
- Echoing these sentiments with even more conviction, prominent pro-Trump broadcaster Mike Crispi declared, “EVERYONE knows Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce is fake and the Super Bowl is rigged. You’re a whacko at this point if you DON’T believe it.”
Why it matters
- Swift’s massive fan base gives her a powerful voice in politics and pop culture.
- In Swift’s case, there is some proof that she can at minimum generate more voter registration.
- An SSRS poll conducted in October 2023 found that about 6 in 10 US adults called themselves at least casual fans of the singer, with 8% saying they’re big fans. The poll also found that 8 in 10 US adults said they had heard of her relationship with Kelce and the majority of those familiar with it considered it a real relationship, rather than a publicity stunt.
- In September, Swift posted a short message on her Instagram account encouraging her 272 million followers to register to vote. The post led to more than 35,000 registrations on a nonpartisan nonprofit organization.
- While these claims are ludicrous and they may well reflect the fear on the right that someone as famous as Swift, whose landmark Eras Tour is the first tour to cross the billion-dollar mark, could indeed influence the presidential race should she urge her legion of fans in one direction.
What they’re saying
- Pop culture and politics have long been entwined. The entertainment industry has been a deep well of political contributions. And candidates often try to draft on the celebrity of stars to add to their own allure. Indeed, Donald Trump’s improbable march to the presidency in 2016 was propelled in part from the celebrity he gained as a reality television star.
- “Pop culture people identify with this stuff, they pay attention to it. And that’s what moves politics now. It’s attention and identity,” Joel Penney, an associate professor at Montclair State University whose research includes the intersection of politics and pop culture, told AP.
- Penney said Swift’s influence could prove a difficult force to contend with, especially if she publicly supports Biden, as she did in the 2020 race. The attacks on Swift could also galvanize young voters who want to rally around her.
- “Young people are fighting their political battles through a language drawn from pop culture,” said Henry Jenkins, a professor at the University of Southern California who also studies politics and pop culture. “That’s what connects them. That’s what they’re engaged with,”Jenkins told AP.
Go deeper
- Both Swift and Kelce have made public statements about politics and other issues that put them at odds with the far-right.
- Swift broke her long-standing refusal to discuss her political views in 2018 when she announced in an Instagram post that she would be voting for Tennessee’s Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen and Democratic House incumbent Rep Jim Cooper.
- She also slammed then-US Rep. Marsha Blackburn, the Republican candidate, as someone who “voted against equal pay for women” and “against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.”
- Swift endorsed Biden in the 2020 race and performed at his inauguration. Kelce, who is biracial, has been vocal about racial justice and social issues. He joined other NFL players in kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. He also donated $25,000 to a Kansas City organization that helps low-income families with rent and utilities.
Between the lines
- The intertwining of pop culture and politics isn’t new. From Ronald Reagan’s transition from actor to president to Bill Clinton’s MTV appearance, the synergy has been evident. Swift and Kelce are the latest embodiment of this enduring trend.
- While celebrity endorsements are not new in political campaigns, the extent of Swift’s influence has brought about a unique situation. The backlash and conspiracy theories surrounding her potential political involvement reflect a broader trend of polarization and the significant role of identity and attention in modern politics.
- As the Super Bowl approaches and the 2024 presidential race continues to unfold, the narrative around Swift’s potential endorsement and its implications for the election will likely intensify. The situation presents a complex interplay of celebrity influence, political strategy, and public opinion, the outcomes of which will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.
(With inputs from agencies)
