How Taylor Swift Became an Unwitting Star in the Latest Right-Wing Conspiracy Theory
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to face off in Super Bowl LVIII, an unexpected celebrity has found herself at the center of attention from conservative media personalities and pro-Trump influencers: pop icon Taylor Swift. Though Swift has not made any major public statements in recent weeks, right-wing pundits and twitterati have woven an elaborate theory that the singer is part of a “psychological operations plot” by Democrats to sway the 2024 election in President Biden’s favor.
The origins of the Swift conspiracy can be traced back to her high-profile endorsement of Biden in 2020. With the presidential race heating up again, her name has become rhetorical ammunition for those seeking to undermine Biden and other establishment Democrats. The theorists point to Swift’s romantic relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who appeared in an ad campaign for Pfizer, as evidence that sinister coordination is happening behind the scenes.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 presidential hopeful who has propagated misinformation about the January 6th riots, tweeted this week: “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 this fall.” His message was in response to a tweet from right-wing media figure Jack Posobiec, who claimed in an interview that Democrats are “gearing up for an operation to use Taylor Swift in the election.” The interviewee, actress Roseanne Barr, agreed that Swift’s influence would likely be exploited.
From election deniers to Salem Radio hosts, the theory has steadily gained steam in MAGA circles. Benny Johnson, an influencer with millions of followers, wrote: “Taylor Swift is an op. It’s all fake. You’re being played.” Laura Loomer, a self-described Islamophobe embraced by Trump, tweeted: “It’s not a coincidence that current and former Biden admin officials are propping up Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.” And Mike Crispi, a radio host, declared: “The NFL is totally RIGGED for the Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor Swift, Mr. Pfizer (Travis Kelce) All to spread DEMOCRAT PROPAGANDA.”
Such feverish speculation prompts the question: What purpose does it serve to draft Swift into this imagined drama? She is, after all, one of the music industry’s most bankable artists whose fanbase spans generations. Perhaps therein lies the answer. Jared Holt, an extremism researcher, notes that right-wing media thrives on “spreading exactly this kind of nonsense” to retain the attention of modern conservatives.
But while the Swift election conspiracy may seem far-fetched or peripheral, it offers insight into the epistemic closure and reality distortion plaguing today’s right. The willingness to concoct tales of intrigue around a pop star reflects a general disregard for facts and critical thinking. Swift, for her part, has yet to publicly comment on her cameos in the conservative imagination. But with her savvy image management, she may find a way to shake off the political drama with her trademark cool.
