Uncovering the Taylor Swift Conspiracy Theories
Recent Republican political events showed that many attendees were not as concerned about the pop star as some conspiracy theorists would have them believe.
Conservatives on cable news and social media have perpetuated the idea that Taylor Swift is involved in a complicated plot to help Democrats win the November election.
Some have linked Swift’s partner, Travis Kelce’s performance during a Kansas City Chiefs game to potential presidential endorsements, but many voters see it as just noise to ignore.
At a recent rally in Lancaster, South Carolina, for GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, a Green Bay Packers supporter affirmed his support for former President Donald Trump and expressed the belief that celebrities should keep their political views private, without looking to them for endorsements.
Overall, attendees at recent Republican political events were indifferent about Swift, contrasting with the media coverage suggesting a potential endorsement of Democratic President Joe Biden.
Many Republican strategists believe that the focus on Swift could harm the party, but they also acknowledge that most people don’t have the time or energy to care about celebrity endorsements.
One supporter in South Carolina, while not a fan of Swift, found the conspiracy theory about her unlikely and far-fetched.
Conspiracy theories gain the most attention when targeting well-known figures and institutions, but the belief in these theories has been rising recently due to new incentives in politics.
Swift did endorse Biden in 2020, and as a result, her potential endorsements have become a challenge for Republicans to dismiss, given the reality that celebrity culture is now considered a mainstay of American politics.
The conspiracy theories surrounding Swift have become an issue in the campaign as well, with Republican lawmakers dismissing the claims but also downplaying the significance of any potential endorsement for the 2024 election.
Haley has expressed bewilderment at the obsession with Swift and dismissed the conspiracy theory as bizarre.
Pollard reported from Columbia, South Carolina.