Former President Donald Trump, who recently declared his disdain for pop sensation Taylor Swift, was seen enjoying her 2020 album Folklore. The revelation came to light after a photo circulated on social media, showing Trump, 78, listening to Swift's music. This comes just weeks after the former president made headlines for expressing his "hatred" for the singer following her endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 election.
The unexpected image has sparked a wave of reactions online, particularly among Swift's passionate fanbase, known as Swifties. "I knew he was a secret Swiftie," quipped one user on X, formerly known as Twitter, while another chimed in, "He's trying to see which song to use to make her mad." Many Swift fans pointed out the glaring contradiction between Trump's public statements and his private enjoyment of Swift's music.
The public feud between Trump and Swift began after the singer endorsed Harris in a social media post following the vice president's debate with Trump. Swift, 34, took a clear stance in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, stating that she would be casting her vote for Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. In her post, Swift encouraged her fans to do their research and support candidates who align with their values.
"I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country," Swift wrote, addressing her millions of followers. She also took the opportunity to debunk a false AI-generated image that had been circulated, falsely suggesting her endorsement of Trump. The image, which featured a doctored version of Swift wearing a "Swifties for Trump" T-shirt, quickly went viral, adding fuel to the fire.
A picture of Donald Trump listening to Taylor Swift’s ‘folklore’ resurfaces after he made a Taylor hate post. pic.twitter.com/PwIGs5wPjW — Pop Flop (@PopFlopHQ) September 20, 2024
Swift's post made it clear where she stood in the election. "The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth," she continued. "I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election." The pop star praised Harris for her calm leadership and her long-standing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and women's reproductive freedoms. "I've done my research, and I've made my choice," Swift declared, leaving no ambiguity about her political allegiance.
Trump, in typical fashion, responded to Swift's endorsement with a terse and cryptic post on his Truth Social account: "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!" The all-caps message, lacking any further explanation, left many wondering if the former president was attempting to fan the flames of controversy or simply expressing his displeasure with Swift's political stance.
However, the recent photo of Trump enjoying Swift's Folklore-an album known for its introspective and emotional themes-has reignited the controversy. Critics have been quick to label Trump's actions as hypocritical. "We all know he's a fan of Taylor, but he just couldn't stand the fact she didn't endorse him," one social media user commented. The disparity between Trump's public denouncement of Swift and his private playlist has left many questioning the sincerity of his statements.
The reemergence of Trump's connection to Swift's music has not only provided fodder for online jokes and memes but also revived the political divide between Swift's fanbase and the former president's supporters. Swift's fans have long been vocal in their opposition to Trump, particularly after she began using her platform to speak out on political issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and racial justice.
For many Swifties, Trump's recent listening habits are seen as further evidence of his inconsistent and opportunistic behavior. Some have even speculated that the photo could be a strategic move to distract from other political headlines, while others believe it simply reveals Trump's conflicted feelings about the artist. Regardless of the motive, the moment has added another layer of intrigue to the already volatile relationship between the former president and one of the world's biggest pop stars.
Trump's ongoing engagement with Swift's music comes amid a broader cultural and political shift, where artists and celebrities are increasingly vocal about their political beliefs. Swift, who remained relatively quiet on political issues during the early years of her career, has since emerged as a powerful advocate for progressive causes, regularly using her platform to encourage her millions of fans to vote and engage in social activism.
The former president's apparent enjoyment of Swift's music is a curious development, particularly as he continues to position himself against the values and causes she champions. Whether this newfound revelation will have any lasting impact on Trump's image remains to be seen, but for now, the photo has left many Swifties and political commentators alike scratching their heads.
